Capitol Hill Search Underway for Leading Integrative Doctor
June 8, 2010
Which integrative physician will be appointed to the powerful new federal research institute? ANH–USA is currently working with Congress to be sure that he or she will be the real thing.
ANH-USA knew that whatever the outcome of the Healthcare “Reform” legislation, there would be a new federal panel for medicine. This panel is supposed to report on the most proven and effective treatments. But it is widely understood that its advice will eventually guide the government when and if it moves to ration care, starting with Medicare and then moving into private insurance plans.
Initially, the board was known as the Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) Board. Now it is called the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Whatever soothing name it is given, it is expected to have immense influence. For this reason, ANH–USA lobbied hard to have an integrative doctor included by statute.
Normally we would worry that this statutory requirement might be evaded by the choice of a physician who would be “integrative” in name only or perhaps not integrative at all. But the same allies who ensured a place for an integrative physician will influence the naming of an individual to play this role, so we are hopeful.
ANH–USA remains strongly opposed to the healthcare bill that passed because of its mandate of conventional medical insurance policies among other reasons. We expect to join others in legal tests of that bill. But even if the bill is eventually overturned or repealed, we think it overwhelmingly likely that the new Research Board will survive. With our Congressional allies’ help, we will try to make it as friendly to natural and integrative medicine, that is, to real preventive medicine as we can.
We will keep you posted on how the appointment of an integrative doctor to the powerful new board goes.
My friend did the same thing about week ago. She now joined Yoga classes which she said are very helpful, she eats healthy and mostly raw food, she is doing reflexology (she wants it 3-4 times a week), and she is now considering the The Liberation Treatment (CCSVI). It has only been a week so i can’t tell you how much is that effective but i hope she will get better especially with the CCSVI.
Ottumwa lucky to have a specialist like Dr. Coram
On one of my annual visits to Fairfield, my son told me about hockey teammates who had career-ending injuries until they were treated by Dr. Charles Coram, a chiropractor in Ottumwa. The teammates were soon playing hockey again and attributed their recovery solely to Dr. Coram’s efforts. This got my attention.
My son suggested that I see Dr. Coram because of 20 years of extreme leg pain from chronic sciatica that recently prevented me from sleeping in bed for more than an hour at a time. I agreed, and after my first treatment was able to sleep in bed all night!
I live in Ann Arbor, Mich. (a nine-and-one-half-hour drive from Ottumwa each way), and as a recently retired professor at the University of Michigan, have seen many specialists over the past 15 years — doctors including neurologists and other specialists, MDs, physical therapists, even an acupunturist — who have all treated me for this problem without much success.
I am now traveling to Ottumwa each month to be treated by Dr. Coram, who is the only medical professional who has been able to provide relief for my problem or any improvement in my overall condition. Each of my treatments has taken two-to-four hours, but has been unbelievably helpful. I see a noticeable improvement in my overall condition each time I meet with Dr. Coram. Ottumwa is very lucky to have such a helpful health specialist in its community.
Layman E. Allen
Professor of Law, Emeritus
Law School, University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Mich.
Dr. Coram’s treatment provides great benefits
As the wife of Professor Layman Allen whose letter is just above, I would like to confirm the wonderful results he has experienced from his treatments from Dr. Coram.
In talking about these to acquaintances in Fairfield, we were sorry to hear about the approximately 60 doctors who have come and gone from Ottumwa in the past eight years, but hope that you will continue to keep Dr. Coram within convenient reach of our son’s home in Fairfield.
Of course, we’d be delighted if Dr. Coram moved to Ann Arbor, but (seriously) we are very happy to come all the way to Ottumwa to be treated because Dr. Coram is the only health specialist who has provided any relief for my husband’s condition, and we have consulted many medical personnel at the University of Michigan Health System (one of the best in the world).
For us, it is worth an 18-20 hour drive or flight each month to get the benefits of Dr. Coram’s treatment.
Leslie A. Olsen
Professor and Director
Program in Technical Communication
College of Engineering
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Mich.
I first met Dr. Charles D. Coram in 1999. At that time, I was the CEO of a thriving Mental Health Center serving many communities in Iowa. I worked with ideas and people, a mentally challenging career that involved long hours and little physical exercise. This lifestyle caught up with me in my 50’s and I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. An RN, who had found relief from her own physical pain by treatments from Dr. Coram, sent me to him. From the first visit I was impressed with the thoroughness of his taking the time to know me as a person. His respect for my knowing myself, giving me the dignity of allowing me to know my own body, which I had inhabited for 50 years, was refreshing. I believe we all have a God given energy and awareness whether we listen to it or not. Dr. Coram used traditional manipulation and nontraditional as he helped me stretch, move and rearrange the energy in my body. I don’t have the words for what his treatment was like; I just know I got better. I have not returned to a traditional rheumatologist, as I know I do not have the soreness or the pressure point tenderness that produced the diagnosis in the first place.
Dr. Coram uses acupuncture, energy work, Reiki, manual manipulations and a type of yoga stretching. He truly is on the cutting edge, one of those doctors who do not follow the mold. He is not a “hothead” with a chip on his shoulder to prove others wrong but a thinker of tomorrow. He is always asking himself, “What are we missing, why is this person not improving, what knowledge does the person have about themselves that I as the doctor cannot know, no matter how thorough the examination?” Truly he integrates different medicines and philosophies without sacrificing his own integrity.
Dr. Coram practices what he preaches, integrity, flexibility and healthy life choices while grounded in a core set of beliefs. He willingly shares with others his insights and observations from his own practice, works within schools, hospitals and the community. As I come close to my retirement years I am pleased to see the next generation opening up to catalyst type practices which involve a total health concept. The concern for the person, the courage to change from traditional paths, while honoring what tradition can do, keeping vision alive while maintaining a full time patient load is not easy. Somehow, Dr. Coram manages to do this. We are longer a society where the doctor knows best. People are too well read and informed for that naivety. I believe most consumers want a doctor who will answer questions and truly hear what the consumer is requesting or saying. Dr. Coram integrates different types of healing, sees the value of each and is open to what his client wants or would respond to for treatment. His own visionary approach to medicine inspires others, his peers, community leaders and his patients.
Having known Dr. Coram personally, both as a community leader myself and one of his patients, I am confident that Dr. Coram will use his gifts of healing in a thoughtful planned way to advance medicine using a total health concept. Maneuvering through traditional models of medicine and finding the respect from the medical community is not an easy task.. Many visionary people have become disheartened and give in to the pressure of “learned minds” in traditional medicine. Dr. Coram has a resiliency to keep on keeping on, perhaps in part, because of his own deep belief that health and healing are so much more than our traditional ways can comprehend. Although no longer living in Iowa, I keep in touch with several people active in the community. I have seen and heard the respect and creditability Dr. Coram is earning.
Sincerely,
Joyce C. Bromley MA, LPC, LCSW
Kansas City, MO.
(816)517-9067
Dr. Coram has so altered the conversations in our community hospital that they have moved from a rigid pharmacological/surgical paradigms toward teams of therapists, community activists, patients, employers, employees, physicians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, massage therapists, religious leaders, nutritionists, and many others banding together. He is similar to many truly effective leaders, organizing and guiding but often letting others assume the credit. When conversations were initiated it was always Dr. Coram behind the introduction of change. He was driven. He would not put the topic down. He had serious resistance. He had patients and his own convictions as his allies. He had all of the arrayed rigidity of a small Midwestern conservative community, hidebound by tradition, enveloped by its distance from the centers of change and with the certainty of a righteous indignation of the truth of its position, allayed against him. He continued anyway. I think it was his patients’ needs and the angles of his better nature. He has a lot of angles and a lot of better nature, and you guessed it, it is hard to get in to see him.
What does our community want most for Charles Coram? Cloning, Seriously. I have discussed this often with him, we need to train young doctors. Dr. Coram begins with the dysfunctions of spirit, of hope, of dignity of knowledge of what personhood could mean in the patients he sees. He does this gently as he massages and stretches and repositions a few facets. In an hour spent talking to a patient while really caring for their needs he learns their needs, their worries and fears. He was a nurse before being a chiropractor before being an integrative medicine physician. When he continues to care for and about his patients he leads them to new insights of their potential. How much more likely are we to listen when we are relaxed? How about when we feel we have been able to express ourselves in the important worries of health, family and what motivates us? I have found Dr. Coram’s patients returning to me stating what could be called unintended testimonies. They express newfound strengths physically and emotionally. I wish I could send every patient to him (he is just too busy). So many actually begin to follow the advice received. This is a change in listening. This is real change. I, as a physician, listen better and more completely.
What scuttles our barely floating lives when we feel we are paddling as hard as we can? Often it is a lack of faith that there is another way; it begins with renewed belief in our power to change. Breaking dependence may be the very most disabling agenda in a life. Dependencies can be toward others, habits, harmful realms of thought. It seems Charles incorporates example, sincerity and his message of people realizing purpose they must find. Some patients seem to have epiphanies. Some patients are not ready for these messages, but they still receive benefit.
Let me give my final and greatest accolade (surely you think I have said it all). When Christ returns to the Passover feast he washes the disciples feet. He shows us by example one last time what he seems to expect of mere human beings like Charles, like myself. I have the great comfort of having Charles Coram as my Dr. and friend. My wish for you, and for everyone, is that we can train more young people to be like this man. I sincerely wish a great gift for you: may you have a Charles Coram in your life.
Sincerely, Marc E. Hines MD
President of Wapello County Medical Society
Remember – this person has to run an organization – or perhaps they can choose a Chief of Staff who can run an organization.
I nominate Dr. Ronald Hoffman. He has a radio program on WOR 710 AM in New York City. I listen to him all the time as he gives out great and free advice. What I like best about him is that he combines the best of conventional and integrated or natural medicine. In my observation, he prefers to go the natural route unless medications are necessary. I’m not even a patient and I was able to significantly lower my cholesterol and improve my ratio so that I did not have to rely on Lipitor. If you go to this website: http://www.wor710.com/weekday-personalities/Health-Talk-with-Dr–Ronald-Hoffman/3600642, you can get a good idea of what he’s all about. Thanks.
I thank the hard work of ANH….USA for all their hard work and paying close attention to what is up in Washington.
I also want to support the idea of more then one Dr. of natural medicine to be appointed to
this board…..we need to expand Autsim with glyconutrients and Cancer with glyconutrients and all forms of natural medicine……We cannot allow the Western Traditional Professionals and Sciience to continue down the path of no return…..I am wataching a man who listened to his Dr.
to cure his Cancer and is no dying from the effects of more poison in his body and the lack of nutrients and is eqally circuming to the effects of malnurishment.
Cancer patients are sooooo douped when Dr. are not familar with dense nourishments and food supplements, and especially if they are not trained in glyconutrients that reestablishes “cellular communication.” that does not exist in the medical world.
We need to pay attention to where are dollars should be spent……I personally will never be paid for my Wholistic Knowlege or Therapies eventhough, I have a long history and a practise getting people well from Cancer and Autism.
We need to push harder for a more equal board.
Sandi in Rough and Ready, CA WellnessAnswers.org (google)
I recommend Dr Julian Whitaker or Dr Stanislaw Burzynski.
Dr. Andrew Saul would be a great choice. http://www.DoctorYourself.com
My first recommendation are the Dr.’s of Mannatech products, they all ready paved the way through Congress and into the PDR for “ambrotose.” However, I don’t know why anybody evers want to testify because it ends up a two faced experience and consequences down the road for anyboy associated with all natural food supplements.
Dr. Steve Nuggent, author of How to Survive on a Toxic Planet and ran a “last change clinic” on the Mexican-American border with amazing results for food supplements to treat disease.
Dr. Rggie Mc Daniles with Mannatech, he brought the science of glyconutrients forward and known for this Activism work.
Dr. Kenneth Block, The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment….somehow we need to move alternative medicine along for ending and a non-toxic treatment of Cancer and other Immune Deficient Disease.
Likewise, we need a Dr. well versed in Autism and non-toxic solutions. The studpidity and medical denial that prevails in the current medical community has to stop…it is time to come forward and include these children’s alternative medical care in the health care plan. Especially, with the expense of the special needs involved…..ambrotose glyconutrients and chelation therapy also cost monthly in addition to Western Medicine.
Dr. Gabriel Cousens comes to mind from Tree of Life Regeuventation Center in AZ, currently he is in in Manhatten on the East Coast. Author of Conscious Eating, Reversing Diabetes in 21 days.
He is a long time Activist and anti vaccinations.
And any Dr. in Oregon using glyconutrients for ADD, ADHA, and Autism. I can’t find the female Dr,. but she is listed on Shirley’s Cyber Cafe.
Dr. William Li and Dr. Joseph Mercola…www.Mercola.com. Very helpful information and dedication to Wellness. This man cannot be stopped!
Good luck, if there is more information on who is on the Comittee Members and how the Dr.
s can apply, please give us the information.
Thank you for more great work.
Sandi WellnessAnswers.org
Have you considered Jay S. Cohen, MD (www.medicationsense.com)? He’s dedicated years to standing up for the truth about medications and seems knowledgeable about preventative and integrative medicine
Thanks for all you do, MZ
what about Dr. Mercola of dr.mercola.com? or Marijah McCain of Herbal Healer? http://www.herbalhealer.com
I second Dr. Mercola. Also Dr. Gabriel Couzens or David Wolfe.
Dr, Mercola would be really good if the legislation requires a Medical Doctor.
I would like to be nominated for the position. I am a registered pharmacist in New York State for 25 years and a clinical nutritionist for 15 years. The following problems need to be addressed in order to reform health care. 1) There is a Vitamin D deficiency epidemic. Since we started using sun block which blocks out UV B which enables vitamin D production but does not block out UV A which is cancer causing, cancer rates have increased because of sun block usage and vitamin D deficiency. Everyone in this country needs to be tested for 25 (OH) Vitamin D level. Optimal Vitamin D supplementation is necessary for flu prevention, cancer prevention, high blood pressure prevention, diabetes prevention, osteoporosis prevention. 2) There are medications which inhibit the absorption of nutrients, very importantly B vitamins. Medications including acid blocking H2 receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors and the diabetes medication metformin are prescribed often and most people are not advised of the potential risk of developing anemia, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, and or other problems like cancer, Alzeheimer’s, Parkinson’s. The use of alternative dosage forms of nutrients such as topical patches or sublingual tablets in consumers wishing to use acid blockers, metformin or any medication that gastrointestinally inhibits nutrient absorption should be advised. All of those health risk factors are avoidable. Health care can be preventative, if consumers are informed about risks by appropriate warnings and allowing people to prevent risks with alternative dosage forms of nutrients. 3) The FDA allows claims for Calcium without a concurrent advisory that comsumption of Calcium without adequate Magnesium causes Magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency results in migraines, asthma, high blood pressure, leg cramps, early labor, inability to swallow, sudden death and problems related to muscle tension and immobility. Don’t drink orange juice supplemented with calcium if you get migraines or if you have asthma because Calcium supplementation without equal Magnesium supplementation causes Magnesium deficiency. 4) All package inserts, medication labeling and pharmacy medication protocols do not adequately describe diet and recommend medication use if diet doesn’t work. The work “diet” is too broad and undefined. We need balanced meals on a schedule in order to manage weight, blood sugar levels, lipid levels and blood pressure. Please see http://www.balancedmeals.org for a description of balanced meals on a schedule.
You seem very knowledgable, but you lost me by recommending everyone to undergo a Vitamin D test. I really don’t believe in that sort of blanket testing; I do agree that people made to be made aware of the that completely blocking sun exposure leads to less creation of Vitamin D, which needs to be addressed in some form by each person (not all will choose the same path to restoring Vitamin D levels, which is as it should be, IMHO).
Dear Sally G
Thank you for your comments. I don’t necessarily believe everyone needs a Vitamin D test but probably everyone needs more Vitamin D. Here are sites I recommend http://www.FreeVitaminD4Life.com, also http://www.grassrootshealth.net
Sincerely,
Rivka Freeman
Of the suggestions above I believe Jonathn Wright would be the best for the protection we need. Andrew Weill is way too mainstream as he promotes chlorine, fluoride and vaccinations as well as being grossly obese unless he has lost a lot of weight recently. Jonathan has been fighting for our rights for a long time and is on of the originals in this arena.
Dr. Al Sears is my nomination for nationally known doctors. On a local basis, Dr. Serrano is tops as far as care and being completely holistic.
I’d prefer an Naturopathic Physician (ND) be chosen for the position.
The suggestions are all very good. I think almost any of them would be good. Dr. Weil, Dr. Wright, Dr. Whitaker, Hyman and others. My suggestion would be Dr. Jeff Bland who is actually a PhD, but is believed by many to be the father of functional medicine. He has already been involved at the national level and I think is fairly well known by many in Washington. He would not be easily influenced and has an excellent knowledge of integratinve medicine.