You Are Unique and You’re Story Matters

You are unique from the top of your head to the soles of your feet.  There is no other person who is exactly like you. Identical twins, even though they look exactly alike, are unique in their makeup.  Yet, we live in a one size fits all world when it comes to medicine.  One drug to treat one ailment.  One treatment plan to address one disease.  From researching the history of medicine, I understand how we got here, but I don’t think we should stay in this paradigm.

Take, for example, two people with chronic irritable bowel syndrome (IBS.)  Western medicine will treat both cases with the same drugs.  They’ll both be given a pamphlet on what foods to avoid during a flare-up but won’t be told how to prevent a flare.  They’ll be sent home to manage this chronic anxiety-ridden condition on their own.  Both will be in pain.  Both will worry about being too far from the bathroom.  Let’s back it up.  Let’s look at their stories.

Client #1 – Didn’t realize until adulthood that she was lactose and gluten intolerant.  Throughout her childhood, she ate the same foods as her friends.  Over time those intolerances wore down the lining of her gut and caused an imbalance in the microbiota, the bacteria that make up the digestive system’s inner world.  Following two traumas, she suffered extreme anxiety and depression.  She was diagnosed with IBS.  She didn’t want to go outside her home because she was afraid of being too far from the bathroom.  She abandoned her love of travel.  She restricted her diet because everything seemed to hurt.  She spent years like this.

Client #2 – Is a super foodie.  Eating a diverse and healthy diet, she kept herself in good health.  Working with me, she had learned how to work with her body to reduce the symptoms of PCOS and endometriosis.  She was regularly enjoying hiking, practiced yoga, and trusted her body.  Then disaster struck.  She contracted the giardia parasite, and although it is generally self-limiting, it was not with her.  The parasite so changed her gut’s environment that she could not absorb nutrients from any of the food she was eating. The doctor treated the parasite with an antibiotic, further damaging the microbiota.  After two weeks, her symptoms did not improve.  Her weight was dangerously low.  She had lost all muscle tone and could hardly walk.  She was diagnosed with post-infection IBS. She was told there wasn’t anything they could do and that if her symptoms didn’t go away after a while, she should see another doctor.

Both clients have IBS.  Both arrived at this place from completely different paths.  To turn off the symptoms, we have to see their uniqueness and listen with empathy to their stories.  A single approach does a disservice to these two beautiful women.

Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and your environment cause your unique genes to express themselves.  Epigenetics looks at the way your genes work within your unique story.  Food, movement, environment (internal and external,) and sleep will impact whether certain genes will turn on or turn off.  In the example of our two clients, we have to address their microbiota imbalance.  We have to address underlying intolerances.  We have to address lifestyle.  We have to address each of these in a unique way that fits with the individual.

There is a gap in healthcare.  Doctors do not have the time or training to do this deep work with their clients.  That is why there needs to be a shift in the treatment paradigm!  Don’t settle for less than someone who will see your uniqueness and listen to your story!  This is the work that I love to do as a Functional Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner!

I currently have two private client openings for the end of 2020.  Message me if you are interested in supporting your health differently.  Message me if you’re ready for a change.  Healing is possible!