20/10/2026
So many patients I treat feel stuck between Medicine cultures and unsure that anyone is really seeing the whole picture.
I donât believe we should have to choose. Western medicine and its diagnostic abilities, gives us critical information. Sometimes it can even save lives. At the same time, I donât always agree with how results are interpreted, the treatment protocol, or that I do not see enough patient centered care or preventative medicine.
In Chinese medicine, we use pattern differentiation to understand why you have a condition, not just what itâs called. Two women with PCOS, for example, need completely different treatment because the patterns underneath their symptoms are different.
One woman may come in feeling heavy and sluggish, with bloating and thick discharge, which points to a Phlegm-Damp pattern. Her treatment focuses on clearing dampness and supporting digestion, through acupuncture, herbs, and changes to how she eats. Another woman with the same diagnosis may be exhausted, with low back weakness and very light or missing periods, which points to Kidney deficiency. For her, the focus is on nourishing and slowly rebuilding her reserves.
Many women are a mix of a few patterns, which is why the treatment plan has to be built around the specific person and not just the diagnosis.
(NOTE: There are other patterns we use. This is just a small example into how I think, not a guide for diagnosis or treatment.)
Part of my job is continued education, research is important to me, and knowing how medications interact with herbs and supplements. I also know when the case is beyond my scope.
I believe holistic practitioners need to understand conventional medicine enough, and I believe conventional medicine needs to get to know us too.
I believe in appropriate medical care, individualized treatment, and understanding what each approach can offer.
To me, this is integrative wellness.