Of all the meaningful statistics that Tonya Fleck has come up with throughout her busy life, the number 136 stands out. Having founded the Santa Cruz Naturopathic Center 15 years ago, I asked her if she was one of the first naturopaths in town. Yes, this pioneering practitioner, she was 136.th Someone who earned a doctorate in naturopathic medicine 20 years ago.
It was also new to me that the naturopathic doctor had a medical license. This word sounds kind of strange. So I asked Dr. Fleck. What is the difference between naturopathy and traditional Western medicine? After all, his first two years of medical training were nothing. The students all learn the same basic science and laboratory diagnostic tools, are also trained in pharmacology, and are licensed to prescribe medications (although Dr. Fleck says they rarely need to prescribe).
I was also surprised to learn that naturopathic doctors (NDs) are primary care physicians and are qualified to diagnose and treat patients just like regular doctors. But here’s the difference. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the body’s innate ability to heal itself and focuses on treating the root cause of disease. The goal is an overall balance of physical, mental, and emotional health.
Dr. Fleck explained: “Whether it’s a health concern, whether it’s sleep issues, hormonal issues, gut issues, or even depression and anxiety, we recognize that it’s a symptom and it’s important to treat it. In the end you always have to understand that “remove the underlying root cause.” Where is the imbalance of life force?
“As an ND, I look at the whole person. I want to know everything. How’s your gut? How’s your sleep? What’s your vitamin D level? How’s your thyroid? How’s your adrenal glands? What do you think? So it’s a very holistic approach to health and vitality.”
The traditional Westen model provides a reductionist approach to medicine that assumes that various body systems and functions function independently. Fortunately, this model is evolving as new research reveals the complex relationship between mind and body.
So the next question was born. Is there a medical component to the increase in stress and burnout that many people are currently experiencing? Specifically, is this a result of so-called “adrenal fatigue”? The term often refers to symptoms that include fatigue, body aches, difficulty concentrating, trouble sleeping, and feeling overwhelmed with daily tasks.
Adrenal fatigue is not a diagnosis in Western medicine, but many people experience these symptoms, so I wanted to know if that was her symptom.
“Our adrenal glands are the basis of our endocrine system, and at a cellular level our bodies are designed to survive. So every time we experience stress, like being late for work or having a sick child, Whatever the stressor, our adrenal glands think they’re running away from the tiger.
“They don’t know the difference. So our adrenal glands are like a fetus that your body steals from you to make sure it’s okay. Similarly, your adrenal glands are essential for survival. Therefore, our body steals nutrients to ensure that the adrenal glands are fed.
“From there, the body sends nutrients to the thyroid, devoting more energy to replenishing sex hormones, which ultimately leads to the production of neurotransmitters that help with depression and anxiety. Most of my patients have There are elements that support the adrenal glands, especially in this stressful world we live in.
“The adrenals love B vitamins, vitamin C, and adaptogenic herbs. I also offer them in my office.
High-dose nutritional drip therapy. It’s a great way to get high doses of nutrients directly into your body.
“While I treat patients with diagnosed illnesses, many of my patients do not necessarily have a diagnosable ‘illness’ nor do they feel well or well. They know there is something wrong with our bodies.
“I look at three pillars of health: one being diagnosed with a disease, two being undiagnosed but not feeling well, and the third being feeling optimal. My goal is to bring every patient to Pillar 3.”
As we finished our conversation, Dr. Fleck was greeted by a cheerful 70-something woman who started dancing a little with joy as she waited for her IV treatment. As we were laughing, she exclaimed. “If I have a chance to feel good, why not!?”
