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Herbs, homeopathy, and 10 DCs Herbal medicine is arguably one of the most ancient forms of healthcare. Healers of all kinds have been using medicinal plants to prevent and treat diseases and ailments or to promote health and healing for centuries. In the 21st century, DCs are continuing to use herbal medicine to help promote total body wellness. Homeopathy is another form of alternative medicine seeing resurgence. It is based on a theory that “like cures like.” Remedies specifically match different symptom pattern profiles of illness to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Chiropractic Economics talked with 10 leading herbal/homeopathic chiropractors, and asked how they used these alternative treatments to complement their already successful practices. Diagnostic testing and protocols Practice: Mountain Health Chiropractic and Wellness (www.drkashepherd.com), Plano, Texas. In business for more than four years, Shepherd’s solo practice sees about 148 patients a week, and bills in the range of $350K–$499K annually. About 72 percent of his patients take herbals, and 10 percent use homeopathy. Shepherd uses extensive nutritional testing with his patients. He believes removing the subjective makes his practice unique. “I rarely ask or focus on what patients feel, as this is no different than the symptom-based medical approach that got them into trouble in the first place. “I spend a great deal of time with objective testing so that we know exactly with what parameters we are dealing,” says Shepherd. “Once all this diagnostic information is analyzed, then a specific nutrition and herbal protocol can be formulated for each patient that has specific and re-testable goals before they move on to the next level in their treatment.” As a tip for chiropractors interested in adding herbal/homeopathic treatments to their practice, Shepherd feels the trick is in natural questioning. “Nature has the answers; we must simply ask the right questions. The key to results is asking those right questions.” Cultural competence Practice: Galilee Chiropractic Office, LLC (www.medicinabuena.com), Mission, Kan. Bonci, or “El Quiropráctico,” as his patients call him, has been practicing for more than 17 years. His group of doctors sees about 200 patients a week, and has billings in the neighborhood of $150K-$249K. About 97 percent of his patients are non-English-speaking Hispanic. About 35 percent of Bonci’s patients use homeopathy, and 5 percent use herbal therapies. When asked what kind of patient would benefit most from herbs/homeopathy, Bonci replied almost all patients could benefit from herbs and homeopathy. “The point is being able to understand the cultural and/or philosophical perspective of the patient well enough to blend and offer them the right products for them,” says Bonci. “In Spanish we say, ‘Culture cures.’ What helps one to heal and can, therefore, be beneficial, is the one that has a psychological and cultural basis for the patient. For instance, Arnica is traditionally used in Mexico for its ability to heal bumps, bruises, fractures, and burns. Therefore, patients with a cultural and familial history of the use of Arnica will benefit more from its use.” “Cultural competence makes my practice unique,” says Bonci. “I address the needs of my patients based on cultural norms and evidence-based practice.” Comprehensive physical exams Practice: Strehl Natural Health (www.DrStrehlOnCall.com), Wheaton, Ill. Proprietor: Frank E. Strehl, DC, DABC; 630-653-5755. Strehl, a chiropractic internist, with 26 years of chiropractic experience, sees 50+ patient visits a week at his solo practice. More than 90 percent of his patients use herbal therapies, and he bills and collects from $400K to $499K a year with a cash practice. He performs a 55-point blood test with nutritional recommendations based on the homeostatic levels of a full chem panel, and a CBC with a differential and thyroid profile. “I offer a true alternative for patients who refuse or wish not to see an MD. I perform annual physicals, ECGs, hormone testing, pap tests, prostate exams, breast ultrasound, and full blood work,” says Strehl. “I also offer natural treatments for abnormal pap smears, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, prolapsed uteruses, infertility and barrier method contraception, benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, as well as virtually all GI problems.” Adjusting the ‘interference’ Practice: Brimhall Wellness Center (www.brimhallwellnesscenter.com), Mesa, Ariz. Proprietor: Brett Brimhall, DC; drbrett@brimhallwellness.com; 480-964-5107. A chiropractor for six years, Brimhall treats roughly 120 patients a week at his multi-doctor practice. Some of Brimhall’s patients have expressed concern about the length of treatment time, as well as finding the right supplements. To answer these objections, he teaches his patients why they are on herbals, as well as the outcome they should expect and when. He also makes sure to retest them later to help them see the changes in their health. Brimhall’s practice is a balance of chiropractic and herbal care. “We work with some of the toughest cases, I believe, in chiropractic and healthcare,” says Brimhall. “We see results many times when others have not because we combine chiropractic with the right nutrition, stress management (emotional work), detoxification protocol, or allergy treatments, and truly work to help the body do what it was meant to do — heal. We work with adjusting all the ‘interference’ that we can.” Brimhall’s advice: “Don’t limit your practice because you don’t know about [herbals/homeopathy]. Open up your scope of practice, and you’ll help many more patients.” A functional approach Practice: The Wellness Pros (www.drsantucci.com), San Jose, Calif. With 10 years of experience, Santucci and his group of doctors see about 150 patient visits a week. About 25 percent of his patients use herbal remedies, and about 10 percent of his patients are currently trying homeopathy. “We stress proper diagnosis and use nutraceuticals as a primary method to address biochemical imbalances,” says Santucci. “We employ medical questionnaires and obtain highly specific laboratory information on difficult to diagnose cases.” Adhering to the tenets of functional medicine, Santucci believes in getting the diagnosis right the first time, then intervening effectively with analysis and intuition. “Herbal remedies are an essential part of our functional medicine approach to biochemical problems. Food-based supplements have been elevated to the level of nutraceuticals with many times the potency of the natural ingredients from which they were derived,” says Santucci. Integrated, holistic healthcare Practice: Omni Wellness Chiropractic Clinic, Los Angeles. Yoo has been in practice for four years, and his group of doctors treats roughly 100 patients a week, with a PVA of about 13. Approximately 50 percent of the clinic’s patients use homeopathy and 25 percent use herbal remedies. Yoo has found several ways to market his herbal practice. “I use nutrition classes, educational posters, newsletters, recommendations after blood tests or other diagnostic tests, and word of mouth,” he says. “We screen our patients for any critical medical conditions. If we suspect any conditions that are critical, we have an army of medical doctors around us,” says Yoo. Some patients are hesitant to use herbals or homeopathy, says Yoo. But he believes these objections can be overcome. “For those patients who are hesitant in using homeopathic treatments, first we educate the patient, then we educate them some more, next we educate them some more! “Homeopathic treatments, used in conjunction with nutritional therapy, are crucial in my opinion,” says Yoo. “Many homeopathic treatments detoxify, balance, and promote healing in our body. They do not, however, supply what is lacking in the body. When you supplement the nutritional deficiency, the treatments are much more effective.” Yoo makes a point to take a holistic approach to assessing his patients’ health. “In search of wellness, we utilize the latest technologies, as well as the services of all health professionals to get a total picture of the patient’s condition,” says Yoo. “Our clinic not only offers chiropractic services but physical therapy, nutritional counseling, herbal therapy, and exercise rehabilitation. We are a family-oriented clinic that individualizes our care.” Chinese herbs and acupuncture Practice: Man Tran Chiropractic, Inc. (www.DrManTran.com), North Hollywood, Calif. A solo practitioner of six years, Tran sees about 40 patient visits a week. More than 90 percent of his patients use some form of herbal therapy. Tran combines chiropractic and acupuncture with Chinese herbs (in their raw form) as an adjunction to treat the patients’ various conditions. “In my practice experience, I find that the recovery or healing time decreases when chiropractic and acupuncture therapies are combined, while the addition of herbs strengthen the effect. The herbs provide the building blocks or materials for the body to utilize when properly prescribed in treating the conditions at the root,” says Tran. Neurotransmitter testing Practice: Chiro-Med Health and Rehab (www.chiromedhealthandrehab.com); Englewood, Fla. Although they have been in practice less than two years, the Josephs have about 280 patient visits a week and a PVA of 41. About 50 percent of the Josephs’ patients use some form of herbal therapy, and about 1 percent are beginning to use homeopathy. Surveys, questionnaires, and knowledge of physiology give the doctors insights into what may enhance a patient’s performance or increase the rate of healing. Chiro-Med Health and Rehab is a unique practice, offering a specialized balance of diagnostic care and a broad patient base. “We are one of the few subluxation-based practices that not only sees a fair amount of patients, but we also recognize that most patients that present to our office are either nutrient deficient, toxic, or have some form of chemical imbalance,” says Jeremiah. “We also do neurotransmitter testing which incorporates herbs and vitamins to balance neurotransmitter imbalances to help with ADHD/ADD, sleep disorders, headaches, and depression anxiety to name a few. We have children and patients in their late 90s taking herbs and vitamins. It’s never too early or late to begin taking nutritionals for a longer healthier life.” Comprehensive nutritional testing Practice: Green Valley Chiropractic and Wellness Center (www.proadjusterwellness.com), Henderson, Nev. A seasoned practitioner with 25 years of experience, Roles runs a solo practice that sees approximately 165 patient visits a week. He bills in the range of $60K-$75K monthly. About 50 percent of Roles’ patients use some form of herbal and supplemental therapy. “Herbs provide a great, immediate change in the body; whereas, whole food supplements, particularly protomorphogens, rebuild tissue over the long term,” says Roles, whose practice focuses on nutrition and wellness. “Twenty-five to 30 percent of my practice is solely nutritional-based. “We provide wellness care, including emotional healing, stress management, nutritional therapy, and chiropractic therapy, utilizing the latest in chiropractic technology. Our nutritional testing is extremely comprehensive, including ACG (acoustic cardiograph), HRV (heart rate variability), computerized Symptom Survey, and nutrition response testing (NRT, the use of applied kinesiology in determining body function). We do whatever we can to ensure our patients’ success.” Health-improvement for all Practice: Wholistic Doctor (www.wholisticdoctor.com), Ann Arbor, Mich. With more than nine years of chiropractic experience, Schmidt sees about 100 patients a week and has a PVA of 14. Almost 100 percent of his patients are on a health-improvement program that incorporates supplements, dietary changes, herbs, and homeopathy. His practice is geared towards women between the ages of 35 and 55 who have disposable income. Most have been through medical and chiropractic care, but still have chronic pain and other issues. “I adjust only 3 percent to 6 percent of patients,” he says. “When a person’s body is fed well, the chronic subluxations are repaired by the body. I help a lot of people who have been adjusted for years without relief get permanent results.” |
Proprietor: K. Andrew Shepherd, DC, CCN; 
Proprietor: Andrew S. Bonci, DC; 
Proprietor: Thomas Santucci, DC, CNS; 
Proprietor: David Yoo, DC; 
Proprietor: Dr. Man Tran, DC, LAc, PhD(c); 
Proprietors: Jeremiah Joseph, DC, and Kristin Klopfer-Joseph, DC; 
Proprietor: Craig E. Roles, DC, DABCI; 
Proprietor: Darren Schmidt, DC, ND, PLC; 
John V. Wood is an Emmy-award winning journalist, as well as a nationally published freelance writer. He lives in Willow Spring, N.C., and can be reached at 919-632-1827 or by email at Advertising | Classifieds | Cardpack | Datebook | Past Issues | Chiro History
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