Since the early 1900s, Western medicine has made remarkable strides—from the revolutionary discovery of antibiotics in 1928 to the trauma medicine innovations born out of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. We’ve extended life, saved limbs, and pushed the boundaries of what surgery and pharmacology can do.
But along the way, we also developed a mindset: that every symptom needs a pill, that every illness fits neatly into a diagnostic label. In the 1960s, antibiotics became the cure-all—prescribed for everything, often unnecessarily. Today, we face the consequences: antibiotic-resistant bacteria and a generation conditioned to expect quick fixes.
Meanwhile, natural and traditional medicines—many of which have been used for centuries—were quietly making a comeback. These therapies often can’t be patented and don’t generate profit for pharmaceutical companies, yet patients spend billions each year seeking them out. Why? Because many are discovering what I did: there are other ways to heal—often better, deeper, and more sustainable ones.
I began my career as a confident, traditionally trained pediatrician. I believed I had the answers—until my own child became ill and conventional medicine had no solutions. Desperate, I turned to what I once dismissed as “quackery.” Homeopathy not only helped—it healed. That experience changed everything.
I went back to school to study homeopathy. I met an acupuncturist who opened my eyes further. I learned about essential oils, energy medicine, iridology, reiki, and more. I realized that every modality I had once doubted had helped someone profoundly. For every skeptic, there is a story of healing that defies logic and expectation.
These ancient and natural practices have stood the test of time because they work. They don’t just suppress symptoms—they support the body in returning to balance and health. Healing isn’t always fast, but it is real. We heal like the seasons change—gradually, and in harmony with deeper rhythms.
Let me share just a few of the moments that shaped my conviction:
- A medical mystery in the NICU: As a resident, I witnessed a baby girl die—no heartbeat, no breath, declared dead. Hours later, when I checked on her again, she was breathing, pink, and fine. She survived without deficits. Maybe there’s a scientific explanation. Or maybe we don’t understand all the universal principles that govern life.
- A mother’s intuition: In the ER, a mom came in deeply unsettled, saying she knew her baby was going to die. We found nothing wrong. But hours later, she returned—her child had indeed experienced a near-fatal event. Her intuition saved that life. Science didn’t catch it—she did.
- Rheumatoid arthritis reversed: A young woman with crippling RA rejected medication, changed her diet, and healed herself. Bedridden to thriving in one year. That’s not a miracle—it’s the power of lifestyle and belief.
- A concussion transformed: A high school football player with a severe concussion could barely move or tolerate light. Conventional therapy would have taken weeks. But with homeopathy and acupuncture, he recovered in two. In time to play for college scouts.
- Two cases of mononucleosis: One teen missed a semester from fatigue; this was before I practiced holistically. Years later, another student with even worse symptoms was walking and energetic within 10 days after herbs and acupuncture. Labs confirmed the improvement. Same illness, different outcome.
- A drug-addicted infant healed: A baby born dependent on morphine cried constantly, couldn’t sleep, and was physically tight and unresponsive. After craniosacral therapy and homeopathy, the child began sleeping, smiling, and developing in ways that changed life for the whole adoptive family.
- Autism and acupuncture: I’ve seen nonverbal, aggressive autistic children become more verbal, more calm, and more connected after acupuncture. Are they “cured”? No—but their quality of life and that of their families has changed profoundly.
These are just a few of the stories that remind me daily: healing is more than treating symptoms. It’s about listening—sometimes to science, sometimes to the body, sometimes to the soul.
None of this means I dismiss the brilliance of modern medicine. I’ve seen miracles in surgery and trauma care. Organizations like Doctors Without Borders change lives every day. But we must recognize that healing doesn’t always look like what we were taught.
We all heal in seasons, at a pace the body and spirit decide. As practitioners and patients, we must remain open, curious, and willing to grow. Sometimes the most powerful medicine is the one you once thought impossible.
Only you can decide what has value. I’ve spent 40+ years watching people heal in ways I didn’t always understand—but could never deny.