In my first article I introduced a term that I've adopted to best describe to my patients the work I do with BioHealth, as "Wholistic Lab Testing." On an initial consultation, I've often been asked: "Why would an acupuncturist, steeped in training based on ancient parameters of Oriental Philosophy, order lab testing?" Frankly, because it coincides with the Traditional Oriental Medicine parameters through which I work with patients on a daily basis in my practice.

Those parameters are: 1) "the root cause is generally the nature and the primary aspect of the disease."1 and 2) "Signs and symptoms are pieced together and synthesized, until a picture of the whole person appears"2.

I have been trained for years to diagnose and treat the individual in a wholistic manner and find the root cause of the disease. BioHealth testing is a valuable, modern tool that gives me even more information from which to work with. In a nutshell, BioHealth Labs and Oriental Medicine have a lot in common when it comes to diagnostic philosophy.

A BioHealth seminar manual describes their lab testing as Functional Diagnostic Medicine (which I call Wholistic Lab Testing) as: ". . . recognizing that abnormal lab values are often merely superficial markers of far deeper disorder. To achieve global, lasting remediation, the underlying disorder must be addressed rather than its more visible shadow."

The beauty of treating from a wholistic viewpoint is if you should call complaining of a myriad of seemingly unrelated disorders, if I am astute in my diagnostic skills, I can address the root cause of your illness, as well as treat your symptomatic presentation. Then, once and for all, a true state of wellness can be achieved and you overcome the imbalance or illness in your body.

I cannot tell you how many people have presented me with a long list of supplements, herbs, articles, tests, and opinions-and haven't achieved much success in diagnosing their problem. They haven't found the cause. This is what is exciting about the specialized lab testing that I do with BioHealth. I have a tool to uncover various food intolerances and allergies, I can decipher the integrity of your digestive system, I can understand the exact function of your basic energy and the output of your hormones, I can use all this information to dovetail my diagnostics from an Oriental Medicine viewpoint.

The incredible thing about assessing the unique lab testing that I do with BioHealth is that reinforces the diagnostics of Oriental Medicine. The treatment plan I form is then based on the years of training I have in wholistic thinking. This may include lifestyle evaluation, supplements, herbal formulas, and ,when appropriate, acupuncture to help the body heal.

References:
1. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Beijing, 1987.
2. Acupuncture, A Comprehensive Text, 1990.