Resolved Question
How do I find a reputable doctor of TCM/any of this sound familiar?
Western medicine has completely failed me. I deal with chronic pain, fatigue, muscle cramps, brain fog, etc., that is pretty constant but with a clear cyclical component.
It is, according to all available tests, physicals, and evaluations of other kinds, NOT fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, stress, depression, MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, or any other of myriad disorders Western doctors are halfway familiar with.
I'm not a hypochondriac or an attention seeker, and this issue is really affecting my quality of life.
MY best guess is myofascial pain, but I'm not sure. I definitely have the ropey knots of trigger points, but pressing them brings relief in a "good pain" kind of way, not discomfort. The knots can never be worked out with massage, though. I don't have any tender points in the traditional sense.
For awhile I really wanted a diagnosis, something to validate what I was going through and open up treatment options. Now I really just want it to stop.
So what kind of title should I look for beside the name of a practitioner? I want someone highly trained in several forms of alternative medicine, not just an acupuncturist or herbalist.
It is, according to all available tests, physicals, and evaluations of other kinds, NOT fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, stress, depression, MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, or any other of myriad disorders Western doctors are halfway familiar with.
I'm not a hypochondriac or an attention seeker, and this issue is really affecting my quality of life.
MY best guess is myofascial pain, but I'm not sure. I definitely have the ropey knots of trigger points, but pressing them brings relief in a "good pain" kind of way, not discomfort. The knots can never be worked out with massage, though. I don't have any tender points in the traditional sense.
For awhile I really wanted a diagnosis, something to validate what I was going through and open up treatment options. Now I really just want it to stop.
So what kind of title should I look for beside the name of a practitioner? I want someone highly trained in several forms of alternative medicine, not just an acupuncturist or herbalist.
Additional Details
Interesting, Dave. I suppose it's the lack of a centralized accrediting system I was wondering about - is there, in fact, no such agency at all, or is there one agency more widely respected than others? It's hard to imagine that there is no body widely recognized as the authority, even though there clearly are charlatans out there. If there is one widely respected body, I'd like to know which agency that is.
I'm not sure how one would use the placebo effect knowing what it is. Once you know something is a placebo, haven't you effectively guaranteed its ineffectiveness? As an analogy, you can't undo a disbelief in Santa Clause.
I'm not sure how one would use the placebo effect knowing what it is. Once you know something is a placebo, haven't you effectively guaranteed its ineffectiveness? As an analogy, you can't undo a disbelief in Santa Clause.
1 day ago
Interesting, Dave. I suppose it's the lack of a centralized accrediting system I was wondering about - is there, in fact, no such agency at all, or is there one agency more widely respected than others? It's hard to imagine that there is no body widely recognized as the authority, even though there clearly are charlatans out there. If there is one widely respected body, I'd like to know which agency that is.
I'm not sure how one would use the placebo effect knowing what it is. Once you know something is a placebo, haven't you effectively guaranteed its ineffectiveness? As an analogy, you can't undo a disbelief in Santa Clause.
I'm not sure how one would use the placebo effect knowing what it is. Once you know something is a placebo, haven't you effectively guaranteed its ineffectiveness? As an analogy, you can't undo a disbelief in Santa Clause.
1 day ago
Edit: Just wanted to let you know I didn't give the thumbs down. I appreciate any thoughtful answers and never thumbs down real responses.
1 day ago
Sorry, Gary Y., didn't mean to offend. I thought it would be clear from the context that "in this instance" was implied, though it was not written. And yes, in this instance, Western medicine HAS completely failed me. Doctors have been all too happy to order bloodwork and then shake their heads and shrug when it comes back negative. I had a neurologist tell me that I couldn't POSSIBLY have MS because I had a negative brain MRI - so I asked about spinal lesions, and asked why the MS Society said five percent of MS patients showed no brain lesions. His response? He said, "The MS Society lies," and went on to say checking for spinal lesions would be a possibility if I'd had vertigo. My response? "Vertigo is on the list of my symptoms I just handed you!"
Far too many people seem to go into medicine with no curiosity, and that's not the field you should go into if you're not curious.
I'm not picking on doctors - far too many people in EVERY field are incompetent, my own included.
Far too many people seem to go into medicine with no curiosity, and that's not the field you should go into if you're not curious.
I'm not picking on doctors - far too many people in EVERY field are incompetent, my own included.
12 hours ago
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
You may want to consider a Naturopathic Doctor?
NDs have all of the same basic training as a general practitioner MD. In addition to the basic, laboratory and clinical sciences, NDs are trained in acupuncture/TCM, botanical medicine, nutrition & nutraceuticals, as well as physical medicine (modalities, minor adjustments, some massage, etc.).
Philosophically, NDs differ from the average MD in that we'd suggest that the body/mind/spirit must be treated as an inseparable whole. EG: Sometimes chronic pain that cannot be attributed to a physical pathology has roots in an emotional/spiritual issue.
NDs ARE regulated in Canada and in many US states. And regardless of whether a specific state is regulated, NDs are governed by our professional association. Our boards do indeed hold us accountable for the medicine we practice (just like the College of Physicians and Surgeons.) We're required to carry malpractice insurance, etc.
In order to register/license as an ND, one MUST have graduated from an accredited school and MUST have successfully completed 2 series of extensive written and practical board examinations.
***NDs are qualified, primary care physicians.***
We practice science-based medicine (contrary to some people's misinformation.) And while placebo effect should never be discounted, there's a lot more in our tool boxes than placebo. I'm a science geek from way back. And I'm always happy to share the science, if there's something specific at issue. :)
Qualified NDs will be registered with their respective associations in Canada and the US... and you can find a qualified ND through these associations. Here are the links:
http://www.cand.ca/
http://www.naturopathic.org/
The association sites also have some great information on Naturopathic Medicine, if you'd like to learn more.
And there are also links to the accredited colleges/universities which have their course catalogues available for interested parties, should they wish to learn more about our training and qualifications.
Whatever route you choose, I wish you the very best for your health. Clearly you've met some challenges along the way and I applaud your tenacity in advocating for your own health!! Hope you find a health care provider who gets you some answers and results! Good luck.
NDs have all of the same basic training as a general practitioner MD. In addition to the basic, laboratory and clinical sciences, NDs are trained in acupuncture/TCM, botanical medicine, nutrition & nutraceuticals, as well as physical medicine (modalities, minor adjustments, some massage, etc.).
Philosophically, NDs differ from the average MD in that we'd suggest that the body/mind/spirit must be treated as an inseparable whole. EG: Sometimes chronic pain that cannot be attributed to a physical pathology has roots in an emotional/spiritual issue.
NDs ARE regulated in Canada and in many US states. And regardless of whether a specific state is regulated, NDs are governed by our professional association. Our boards do indeed hold us accountable for the medicine we practice (just like the College of Physicians and Surgeons.) We're required to carry malpractice insurance, etc.
In order to register/license as an ND, one MUST have graduated from an accredited school and MUST have successfully completed 2 series of extensive written and practical board examinations.
***NDs are qualified, primary care physicians.***
We practice science-based medicine (contrary to some people's misinformation.) And while placebo effect should never be discounted, there's a lot more in our tool boxes than placebo. I'm a science geek from way back. And I'm always happy to share the science, if there's something specific at issue. :)
Qualified NDs will be registered with their respective associations in Canada and the US... and you can find a qualified ND through these associations. Here are the links:
http://www.cand.ca/
http://www.naturopathic.org/
The association sites also have some great information on Naturopathic Medicine, if you'd like to learn more.
And there are also links to the accredited colleges/universities which have their course catalogues available for interested parties, should they wish to learn more about our training and qualifications.
Whatever route you choose, I wish you the very best for your health. Clearly you've met some challenges along the way and I applaud your tenacity in advocating for your own health!! Hope you find a health care provider who gets you some answers and results! Good luck.
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Other Answers (2)
- This bit could be a problem: "I want someone highly trained in several forms of alternative medicine"...
'Highly trained' is a misnomer. Quite simply, without any kind of basis for alternative medicine in fact, there also is lacking any kind of centralised or agreed upon system for accrediting it. This does tend to open up the arena for all manner of self-styled gurus whose dubious, ill informed (and frequently dangerous) internet-ready diagnoses are dished out with gay abandon. Simply put, anyone can say anything they like without fear of repercussions or another alternative medicine practitioner holding them accountable.
You do seem to be working methodically through your symptoms though, maybe the placebo effect is worth trying? Best of luck whatever happens. - Western medicine has completely failed you? That seems a harsh statement just because what ever is wrong with you can't be diagnosed yet. Doctors have ruled out several diseases right? So in that sense western medicine has helped you.
Have you ever cleared up an infection with antibiotics? Fixed a headache with aspirin or similar? Have you ever had polio, plague or yellow fever? If not you can most probably thank western medicine.
Don't be so quick to criticize medical science, and don't fall for all the quack anti-medicine or big pharma conspiracy baloney. Alternative medicine is alternative because it has not been proved to work, or it has been proved not to work. I seriously doubt some new age naturopath, ancient herbalist, energy healer, acupuncturist, crystal healer, aura reader, reflexology, or detox foot pad promoter is going to provide better medical help for you, than scientists who spend their lives studying disease.
The agency that probably best fits what you are looking for is the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), though they are not an accreditation body.
http://nccam.nih.gov/
However, they have just spent 10 years and 2.5 billion dollars researching alternative medicines and have found that virtually none of it works.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31190909
I wish you luck, and advise you not to completely turn your back on medical science. Go ahead and try alternatives if you want, keep in mind it all has its risks too, but remember that new medical discoveries are being made every day - by science.
Do your research and keep an open mind.
http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/
http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/
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