Your Doctor May Be Suffering Badly

Dear Patients & Friends,

As you have repeatedly heard me say over the past number of years, the number-one cause of illness is mental stress. Almost all people are negatively affected by stress, and that applies to the doctors you see for your health-care treatment - including me.

This blog is not an alarm, it's just a heads up. I want you to be aware that the doctors who are taking care of you may need appropriate treatment for their own personal health issues.

Beware

I teach a continuing education course for chiropractors and acupuncturists that's approved by the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners in California. In this 12-hour seminar (Adjusting the Mind), I teach healthcare practitioners how to reduce their stress and how to teach their patients the ways to use powerful mindfulness-based stress reduction strategies.

I have met hundreds of doctors who tell me they come to my seminar because they need to learn how to reduce their stress just as much as their patients. I thank them for their honesty and their willingness to learn how to take better care of themselves and their patients.

What I want you to beware of is the growing number of doctors who don't seek help for the stress they're experiencing.

Read All About It

This article, which I saw in the New York Post, clearly outlines the types of stress that physicians experience. It's eye-opening and really important that you understand that the physician treating you may be in worse shape than you.

When you're in a treatment room with a physician who does not appear "present", or really connecting to what you're saying, you need to advocate for yourself by respectfully speaking up. You can gently and compassionately ASK - not accuse - if the doctor is genuinely hearing your concerns. You need to let the doctor feel safe to respond honestly by not being upset or angry. Treat the doctor the way you would want to be treated!

The Value of Placebo

The term, placebo, simply means "to please." The ancient Greeks first used the term to describe the relationship conditions that were necessary between the doctor and the patient that would lead to a positive healing response.

If you do not feel that your practitioner is curious and empathetic about you and your condition, as well as being willing and able to help, the placebo effect will be minimal. In other words, your chances of experiencing a favourable outcome will be lower.

Therefore, if you are sensing that your doctor is too stressed out to be able to treat you effectively, you'll need to courageously and tactfully find your way to a practitioner who has the physical and mental vitality to help you.

True,
Dr. Mark

Announcements

Monthly Yoga & Meditation Class - The monthly yoga and meditation intensive I teach has helped lots of patients - yoga novices and masters alike - learn to control their thoughts and emotions. By having the skills to regulate your brain chemistry, you can enjoy way more peace of mind, no matter how much stress is happening in your life.

In the intensive we always focus on three stress reduction practices:
1. gentle physical stretches (hatha yoga)
2. controlled breathing (pranayama)
3. simple meditation (dhyana)

Click Here for details.

Click Here to register.

The next class is on Tuesday, February 19 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM.

Dr. Matt Coverage - Dr. Matt will be covering for me on Friday, Feb. 22 and Monday, Feb, 25. I am going to be a guest of Marc Gafni, the founder of a non - profit, The Young Men's Ultimate Weekend.

New Massage Therapist - We've hired massage therapist Christian Bacigalupi, to work alongside of Van and Yesenia. This allows us to offer you more time choices for massage. He'll be working Wednesday and Friday mornings, 9 AM - 1:30 PM starting Wednesday 2/27, respond to this email or call the office to schedule a massage appointment.