This weekly blog post is turning into a weekly reflective practice that I hope is equally meaningful and interesting to you! I hope that I am able to expand on these learnings and include exclusive content here in these blogs in the future.
This week, we look at everything from the HAES movement, the Naturopathic Alliance, a riveting memoir, and a question you don’t want to forget to include on your patient intake form. In personal news, I was able to enjoy my first bike ride on the waterfront in downtown Toronto and saw the most people I have seen in over a year (jogging or biking on the path).
As I prepare for three weeks of intensive practicals and consider the challenges that lie ahead, I’m concerned about having enough energy to be around people all day, study all night and do it again six days a week. I recognize all of the privileges in that statement, as I have been blessed to stay at home and study for the past year, but I don’t know if I’m even an extrovert anymore!
In any case, enjoy last week’s reflections and stay tuned for an action-packed week of clinical learning!
Beginning, April 5, 2021.
📕I love reading our pharmacology textbook. It's actually been my favorite text to read throughout this program. What's been interesting is that most of the natural medicines and modalities we study in naturopathic medical school are either not mentioned or are acknowledged to have little or no evidence for use. A part of me is upset by this in a way where I am concerned about the decision I made to go this route. I'm scared I made the wrong choice. Another part of me is outraged at the pharmaceutical industry for failing to support anything that can't make them money. Then there is this other piece of me that is optimistic and excited for the opportunity that only exists in naturopathic medicine... One where we get to study pharmacology. We study traditional Chinese medicine. We study botanical medicine. We study all of the sciences and then top it off with physical modalities that could be useful in helping people. No other profession is poised to blend all of the beauty (we must rightfully and appropriately credit) of indigenous medicines with modern-day pharmacotherapy and evidence-based medicine.
❤️I guess what I am saying is I fell more in love with the art and practice of naturopathic medicine.
🩸Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease affecting women three times more frequently than men. While more commonly starting between the ages of 40-50, it can begin at any age, even childhood. There are many disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that must be prescribed as soon as a diagnosis is made to help someone into remission before irreversible damage is done. People with RA are best treated using a multidisciplinary team to meet all of their needs. I’ve done some preliminary research to see if any of the naturopathic modalities (ie. acupuncture) we learn can help those with rheumatoid arthritis, and outside of providing patient education and emotional and psychological support, I haven’t found any real compelling evidence. It is important to note though that a huge part of our training is focused on the psychosocial support aspect and developing physical activity prescriptions for people, which have been shown to help. Good thing that’s the stuff that I love digging into!
⚕️The bias against people in larger bodies in medicine is real. I know I suffer from my own relationship with health, exercise, and body dysmorphia, but learning about the bias in medical education, medical journals, and medical recommendations have been jaw-dropping. @drjohnberardishow has a three-part series on the history of prejudice against people in larger bodies entering the medical system and how insidious it is. I'm recognizing all of the thin privileges I have been afforded and the lens through which I view health. Thanks to Dr. Jennifer Guadiani @gaudianiclinic for talking about the Health at Every Size movement (HAES), which I am so excited to learn about and become a part of. I'm sure I'll keep posting more about what I learn on this as a self-reflection and didactic conversation for all of us.
🤕I’ve been injured enough to pass a sports medical exam focused on prescription and in-office procedures from a naturopathic perspective. Today I pulled tennis elbow for my exam and was lucky enough to live that experience (along with wrist and ankle issues) as a college tennis player. The ultra world has also kept me real honest with my knees, hips, feet, core, and even shoulders! Those poles are no joke with big elevation climbs! Anyway, let’s hope I didn’t jump the gun here because my exam was actually this morning, but I hope I passed.
🎙My friend and total inspiration @arlietheo was on her first podcast and totally nailed it! I’m so grateful to know her and to be connected with her in a way that feels meaningful and valuable to me. Arlie took me in under her wing as a newly-openly-identified queer person and continues to mentor me on my journey. I learned how grateful I am to have her as a resource, friend, and mentor in my life. Check out the podcast on The Wellness Conversation, episode 106.
🦮I learned Zar likes and will allow me to furminate him. The season is actually changing and we are moving into Spring!
💥I am ready for clinic! I performed my first full intake, assessment, and plan under the supervision of my fourth-year intern and a licensed naturopathic doctor. I cannot believe I did it! I was grateful to have the support of a team making sure I didn't miss anything, and I cannot wait to keep learning in this way!
🧩I love love love complex cases and conditions and am completely fired up by trying to figure out all of the puzzle pieces. The most interesting puzzle piece to consider is the mental-emotional one and how that one holds them all together or prevents them from sticking at all. I'm humbled to be in a position where people feel safe to share pieces of their lives with me, and will always make sure to keep that sacred between us.
🦴I'm never buying Zar a bone again. We spent the entire night up with him vomiting pieces of it and littering them all over the house and yard. Luckily he never had blood coming up and he was able to return to normal 🍽 and 💩 today.
🩺I learned a lot about lichen sclerosus. The pathophysiology, histology, etiology, prevalence, diagnosis, and management. I couldn't believe I was able to dive into the immunological response and actually understand what was being talked about! I never thought I was going to be a naturopathic doctor who needed to know that kind of detail to help folks, but I was wrong! In order to think outside the box, it's important to understand how the body is reacting so you can support the body in changing its response to inflammation.
🌎 I learned I am joining a profession filled with compassionate, caring individuals who are dedicated to community health and intersectional social justice. While I may not live in the same space as many of the naturopathic doctors dedicating their lives to this, I have been fortunate to connect with them through the @naturopathicalliance. I also attended my first meeting as one of the newest steering committee members and am so excited for our future as an organization. Stay tuned for some incredible announcements and follow us on social!
❔In an interview for an externship, I learned an incredible question to include on a patient questionnaire. "Do you like to jump all in or take things one step at a time?" This question helps you know what kind of naturopathic plans to put together for them. Are you going to be able to throw everything at them all at once, or do you need to take baby, detailed steps to meet their learning needs.
🧠I learned my ability to keep tabs on my personal belongings is about at its best but isn't quite good enough. After frantically searching for a wallet I dropped after grocery shopping, it was somehow hurled across the passenger's seat and wedged in between the passenger door. The panic that ensued with the thought of losing it was difficult to manage at the time. I have to be more mindful when completing menial tasks.
📖I learned about Myrium Gurba’s lived experience as a queer, mixed-race Chicana growing up in California in her memoir Mean. This fascinatingly dark work is both beautifully poetic and harrowing. You won't be able to put it down (or turn it off).
🦴I learned how to use felt to decrease swelling in someone’s foot after being in a boot. (Hint* cut out a horseshoe.) When it comes to swelling, it’s important to use what you can to push fluid back up to the heart. Thanks to Melissa Roumanis for allowing me to watch her handy skills!
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