I have been in practice for almost 35 years. I have seen over 15,000 patients. At this point, you would think that nothing surprises me anymore. You would think that all of the advancements in medicine and a better understanding of nutrition—by patients and healthcare practitioners alike—would be increasingly more supportive of natural healthcare routes. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Let me explain.

I had a patient come in a couple of weeks ago for her monthly adjustment. She understands how important a properly functioning nervous system is. After raising her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, she is still very active and mobile. And she looks great at 73 years old! As she finished up her visit, she said she had a question. She knows I have done extensive research and patient care around nutrition and natural medicine. She said her medical provider had suggested a diabetes medication because her blood tests showed she was pre-diabetic. When I asked her which tests she had done she said, “Well, she checked my blood glucose and it was 125. But I wasn’t even fasting!”

Let’s look at a few things here. The patient knew enough to realize that you don’t base a test on one non-fasted result. And there were no other results to base it on! They did not check her insulin, her HbA1c, or her C-peptide (all important blood markers for blood sugar metabolism). And here’s the biggest issue: the provider never even mentioned diet or exercise! And this is what surprised the patient as well!

This is insane! Why would you not suggest diet and exercise?

A recently retired nurse who has struggled with weight issues all her life also came to me recently. She shared that she had been put on a statin drug a few months ago because her cholesterol was slightly elevated. By that I mean her total cholesterol was right around 200, her LDL was around 110, and her triglycerides were 150. The triglycerides tell us that her cholesterol issues are mostly diet-based—more specifically, too many refined carbs. Her medical provider had suggested she start a statin drug to help with the cholesterol. She asked me, “Have you ever seen someone get an achy body after going on a statin drug?” I told her I see it all the time. When I asked her what her medical provider had suggested, she told me it was just the statin drug.

“Did he also suggest you take CoQ10 along with that?” I asked. “What’s CoQ10?” she replied. These days most medical providers acknowledge that statins lower your CoQ10, an important nutrient for your heart health. When I asked what else the doctor suggested, like any dietary changes or exercise, she replied, “No, none of that—which I wondered about.”

This is insane! If these effects are known, why isn’t a solution provided?

These days anyone who has been in the health care field for any amount of time knows how effective changing your diet and exercise is in regaining healthy function. Health care providers should always suggest lifestyle changes first! If these fail—which they rarely ever do—then and only then should medications be prescribed. There are a number of natural vitamins and supplements that work synergistically with diet and exercise to help you return to a healthier state faster. As a provider trained in functional medicine, I can guide you as to which ones are best for you.

For this final story, I will celebrate a turning of attitudes, a focus on what is best for the patient above all else. I had a new mom bring in her two-week-old child. He was adorable, but he was having constipation issues and would not latch on one side while breastfeeding. As I began to assess him I could tell he was uncomfortable. He was trying to have a bowel movement, which he hadn’t had in two days. As we discussed how the birth process can cause spinal and neurological issues, the new mom told me how her OBGYN and two of his nurses all told her to bring the baby to a chiropractor to get checked out as adjustments often help with these problems.

Now that is sane.

I am happy to say that cooperation among health care providers, not competing, is happening more and more. Some older providers will still balk at the idea of their patients seeing a chiropractor, but the younger generation seems understand its benefits. Above all, any provider you see should have the attitude of whatever is best for the patient.

By the way, the first patient with the glucose of 125, she never started that medication. She started to cut back on sugar, went back to the gym, and lost 12 pounds in one month. The second patient stopped taking the statin drug on her own. She started a walking program and lowered her carbs. She did start taking an herbal supplement that has been shown through research to lower cholesterol without side effects. All her statin aches are gone. Now she feels great! And the baby had two big BMs that afternoon and is now nursing just fine.

As you approach the new year, think about these things. Make the new year a time to redirect your energies. Look up the side effects of your medications. That alone should give you the motivation to get off unnecessary medications and go the natural router. And realize that there is almost no research that has been done where they look at the effect of taking two drugs at the same time. 2023 could be your healthiest year ever, a year of transformation, the beginning of a new and more resilient you. But it starts with you taking charge of your own health. And finding the right guide that can help you along that path.

Dr. Burtis, MS, DC, CFMP, has been providing natural healthcare to the Fairmont area at Burtis Chiropractic Center for over 30 years. He uses a combination of chiropractic, nutrition, and functional medicine to help individuals restore and maintain health and healing through individualized care plans. The mission of Burtis Chiropractic Center is to provide transformational healthcare that takes an individual’s life to the next level. We strive to be a solution for families to experience transformational healthcare and help create vibrant and resilient lifestyles that can be passed to future generations.