Dr. Sparks in front of the Daoist Traditions Herbal Dispensary
I love teaching people about all the wonderful opportunities and modalities that we have to offer for their healing journeys. After getting my doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine I went on to achieve my Master's in Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture, herbal medicine, cupping, e-stim, Gua sha and facial rejuvenation.
I absolute love the modalities I have to offer patients from my Naturopathic background, but even then, sometimes there may be a different option like Chinese formulas or acupuncture, that can better suit a patient.
I think a lot of people may have heard that Chinese Medicine is helpful for pain but haven't heard that it can treat a host of other things, almost anything in the body, mind and spirit.
Most Americans that I speak to actually haven't heard about Chinese Herbal formulas. The amazing thing about them is that they are based solely on the expression of symptoms the patient is having. This is also true for Homeopathy and Acupuncture, and this is why these modalities can help, even when Western Medicine is stumped.
When someone comes to me for an issue I consider all the signs, symptoms, lab work and imaging. But sometimes I ask every single question and there is no answer. Sometimes nothing shows up on imaging or the labs look fine and there is no real diagnosis. Luckily for the patient, I don't have to stop there.
I recently had a woman in her 40's doubled over once a month in pain before her menses with 9/10 pain. Her doctors put her through every test and couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. They recommended birth control pills or a hysterectomy. She didn't want the pills due to previously dealing with horrible side effects and she felt surgery should be the last option. I agree with that and was happy I had more to offer her.
I got her started on an herbal formula and within one month her pain went from 9/10 to 2/10. She didn't even need Advil. By month two, it was gone. Everyone was shocked and elated.
These stories don't just happen for people in pain. They happen to my patients with insomnia, anxiety, digestive issues and more.
Dr. Sensenig used to say, "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail."
I love that I have so many natural tools in my tool box so I don't have treat everyone the same!
