Back pain is one of the most common medical complaints in the world, and too often it is very difficult for us family doctors to find the best treatment. We will take the occasional x-ray which never shows anything; prescribe pain pills we hope won’t over-sedate them, and pray that their body’s natural healing process kicks in.… Read the rest
Category Archives: Integrative medicine
Naturopathic Medicine: A Holistic View of Health
I’m happy to announce that naturopathic doctor Melissa Rodriguez is now offering her services here at the International Medical Center. What is naturopathic medicine, you may ask? Here’s Melissa’s excellent review:
These days many people know about the availability of natural medicines like herbal remedies, homeopathy, and the use of vitamins and minerals to treat and prevent disease.… Read the rest
Traditional Chinese Medicine For Dummies
Many of you may share my interest in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) but, like me, have trouble finding good resources to educate ourselves. I just finished a new illustrated book which makes learning about Chinese medicine almost fun. Almost. It’s called The Illustrated Book of Traditional Chinese Cultivation of Health.… Read the rest
Acupuncture: What’s It Good For — Or Not?
One of my continuing goals while working as a doctor in China is to find traditional Chinese medicines and practices that I can integrate into my Western, allopathic-style family practice. As I’ve reported a few times, I’ve been struggling to find Chinese herbal medicines that I am comfortable prescribing, usually due to lack of evidence for a clear benefit.… Read the rest
Complementary Medicine: Here's How To Find The Best Data
There are so many complementary treatments out there, it’s simply impossible to keep up. As an allopathic, Western-trained doctor, I have enough trouble keeping on top of my family medicine literature, so I have even less time to learn about other types of medicine.
Detoxify Your Body: The Basics
The following article is written by guest author Dr. Melissa Rodriguez, N.D. Her website address is www.drmelissarodriguez.com
For many expats, living in a busy metropolitan city has many advantages. Benefits include exposure to a different language and culture, a plethora of delicious foods to excite the palate, and the chance to live unique, life altering experiences.… Read the rest