Janine Blackman, MD/PhD
Speaker, Practitioner, Advocate
Role of
the Integrative Physician
by Janine Blackman, MD, PhD, Medical Director
© 2006
(Adapted from presentation slides and reprinted at CFSupport with permission.)
Mission Statement
To
provide an integrated approach to the treatment of chronic illness such as FM and CFS to ensure
that the maximum chance of the patient's recovery is possible, and for
that recovery to be sustainable without the need for further
care.
Transformative Path
to Recovery
State
of Exhaustion →
→ →
→ →
Sustainable Restoration of
Health & Resiliency
- Pathway is not linear as shown
- Individualized approach to help you progress
- Multi-directional and synerygistic approach is required to facilitate
your mind-body
through this transformation.
Multi-Directional Approach
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Nourishment
& Rebuilding
(Physical, Mental, Emotional)
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↓ |
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Awakening Your
Healing Energy
(Identifying your
Unresolved Stressors)
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Sustainable Restoration
of Health
& Resiliency |
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Regulating
& Rebalancing
(Nervous & Endocrine System)
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Clearing
Obstacles
("Detox" and much more)
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Accomplishments in each direction support and enhance the other
directions
- The sum is greater than the individual parts
- The synergy is essential for sustained recovery
Role of the
Integrative Physician
-
Screen potential patients for the program,
-
confirm dianosis (of CFS or FM, e.g.),
-
communicate with primary care physician as requested
- Medication optimization
--wean medications as patients improve
- Nutritional Teaching (Food and Supplements)
- Sleep
- Exercise
- Guidance regarding other health/medical issues
- Participation in (not leading) regular team discussions
- Teaching life-long optimal health planning
Clearing Obstacles
- Removal of
- processed foods
- stimulants
- alcohol
- emotional stress,
- vigorous exercise
- disempowering & limiting thinking
- Weaning of medications as medically appropriate & tolerated
- acid blockers decrease digestion and ability to absorb nutrients
- some neuro-psych meds used for sleep or pain reduce the action of herbs (e.g. Elavil)
- hormone-based contraceptives block the natural female biorhythms
- opiod or narcotic pain medications decrease the function of the GI system
- opiod or narcotic pain medications decrease mental and emotional clarity
- antibiotics interfere with digestion, nutrient absorption, and the immune system
- Any non-essential medication this is metabolized through the liver
decreases the liver's detoxification abilities
Nourishment & Rebuilding
- Physical, Mental & Emotional Nourishment & Rebuilding
- Nutrition
- improvement of digestion & absorption
- herbal therapy to improve function of the GI tract and clear old waste
- eliminate the intake of poor quality food/beverages
- eat slowly and calmly, at regular intervals
- high quality, whole food diet
- whole food nutritional supplements
- Sleep
- becomes a priority in this program
- set a bedtime (before 11 pm)
- reduce caffeine, then eliminate
- use natural and prescription aids as needed
- Gentle Movement
- gentle yoga or stretching daily
- gentle walking
- avoid exercise that "breaks a sweat" until told otherwise
- Emotional Nourishment (Remember when play was more important than food)
- self care
- joy-filled activities
- art
- meditation
- journal writing
- mind-body acitivities
- love and loving touch
- Intellectual or Mental Nourishment
- learn something new of interest to you
- discuss a contoversial book or play with friends
Awakening your Healing Energy
- lectures, "practicums," and private practice sessions through programs
- help patients identify unrecognized & unresolved stressors contributing to condition
- teach ways to keep stressors from preventing recovery
- collaborate with your personal psychotherapist
Regulating & Re-Balancing
- Unique methods for rebuilding and restoring function
to exhausted nervous and endocrine systems
Janine Blackman, MD, PhD
Special interests in applying Integrative Medicine to helping
people with chronic health conditions such as pain;
fatigue; complex bowel disorders such as irritable bowel, Crohn's
disease, Ulcerative Colitis; diabetes; high cholesterol; and women's
health issues including PMS, menopause symptoms, and osteoporosis.
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