Southwest Family Physicians has evolved into an integrative practice, at the cutting edge of 21 st century health care. With the current crisis in insurance, and the overwhelming cost of illness, we have developed a preventive and empowering approach to health and preventative care. While relief of symptoms and acute treatments are essential, investigating and resolving root causes for chronic problems is seldom fully addressed or accomplished, by traditional health providers.

This aspect of our practice attempts to address the multi- factorial reasons that create chronic illness and premature aging.

It is apparent that acute medical and surgical conditions benefit from western interventions. If you have a serious problem that may evolve into a life threatening situation, western medicine is the approach we take. However, many issues continue, and become chronic, without resolution. Symptoms remain and recovery rarely comes. It appears that many of these chronic illnesses are the result of exposures to toxins, many of which occurred decades in the past .These toxins may come from our external environment, as well as from the byproducts of our internal energy production. In an attempt to prevent serious organ deterioration and damage, our innate body wisdom has corralled these toxins into safe havens. However, to maintain containment of these threatening substances, the body utilizes multiple metabolic pathways for assistance, ultimately depleting their reserves.

OUR THERAPIES:

We design our programs with a personalized therapeutic plan. This involves a combination of strategies that approach care from two major perspectives. The first is, to address and attempt to resolve illnesses and their discomforting symptoms. Secondly, we search for the underlying causes that create disease, and reduce our sense of well being. A brief explanation of the systems we utilize will allow you to understand better how each fits into your plan.

Western medicine fights illness with a high level of technological sophistication, which can be lifesaving. The array of drugs, surgeries and evaluations available has helped reduce many adverse outcomes and potential disabilities. An acute intervention in western medicine has probably helped a family member in every household.

Japanese Acupuncture and the prescribing of Asian herbal therapies are provided by Dr Levy. He is nationally certified (NCCA), and has 20 years experience in this field. Asian Medicine is based on the philosophy and treatment concepts of creating harmony and balance within the body. Acupuncture offers a unique approach to moving vital body energies to create relaxation, pain relief and an enhancement and strengthening of organ function. This approach applies pulse diagnosis, with the use of symptom pattern recognitions, to reveal information and suggestions as to what the body needs treated. Then by accessing acupuncture holes and applying specific needling techniques, messages are sent throughout the body; in a way similar to a pebble’s reverberation in a still pond

We use classic herbal formulas to help restore and replenish the weaknesses associated with illness. With acute problems such as colds and injuries, herbs can speed recovery and reduce discomfort and pain. In chronic diseases, various systems are usually weakened and sluggish. Herbal formulas are unique in their ability to restore vitality and help repair depleted systems. In addition, to truly make gains and recover, sleep, digestion and levels of pain, must be addressed and harmonized. In Asian medicine, the digestive system is the Immune system. Restful sleep is a reflection of the interaction between our core genetic energy (Kidney), and our mental spiritual energy (Heart). Restorative healing occurs only in the sleep cycle! Therefore, in addition to your focused therapies, the overall balance of body function is evaluated and treated. The use of herbal therapy deserves comment. The classic formulas we give are unique blends of individual constituents. These “classics” have been used for centuries, with results seen from the direct experience of thousands of practitioners. They are tried and true, specific recipes. Just like a good cake, if the recipe and preparation are correct, the cake is delicious. With a poor recipe, why bother!. So Asian medicine does not use individual herbs but blends herbs into very specific remedies /recipes. Then the desired outcome can be achieved, with a formula designed to also protect you from unwanted side effects. The formulas we make available are produced by high tech companies with pharmacological expertise and the best individual herbs available. Just like you avoid suspect drugs from unknown places of manufacture, the same should be true for herbal formulas.

Another innovative approach evaluates comprehensive laboratory testing as a measure of optimum health. Labs are usually considered normal when they fall within the average range, indicating no disease. We will narrow those ranges of values, as a reflection of what health should be. Within the matrix of the testing we are able to discern the 6 sub clinical patterns that each persons’ body utilizes to maintain balance. These include ph, or acidity, energy production with or without oxygen, inflammation, free calcium excess, oxidative stress and connective tissue breakdown. With specific testing, these unique patterns can be distinguished and interventions started. Shifts can then be observed by repeating labs, often at three month intervals. Once supplement and herb therapies are started, with new input, shifts in your patterns can occur. Often mild patterns change quickly, while the weakest most taxed systems take longer, and can stress other systems as the recovery begins. As the pattern of dysfunction begin to regulate, the most important steps are then instituted, DETOXIFICATION.

When the body is performing under stress, it is unable than to do more than just maintain. If detox is begun too soon the sequestered toxins are released and the body cannot remove them. It becomes more imbalanced, and possibly more ill. Based on individual needs, detox is designed to actually take our toxic baggage, bound to fats and protein, and eliminate it. This is done by revving up and restoring the functions of our detox organ, the liver. We deliver the toxin to the liver for processing. From there it can be excreted in the bile, the intestines, and then eliminated. Each of these sequential steps needs also to be active and strong and require therapies for achieving optimum health. If we are successful the body can be balanced and our toxic load diminished.

VISITS AND CONSULTATIONS:

We provide the full spectrum of care, for all ages, and accept most insurance. We require that you provide a current membership card.

To improve communication and our depth of care, we ask that you complete the forms available on this site. Then we can be aware of your total health care picture when we see you for a visit.

We request you contact your insurance carrier to determine if you have acupuncture coverage. Some provide payment, but remember it may go toward your deductible.

Acupuncture treatments are weekly for the first month and then are two times a month for 2-3 months. Change and shifts in symptoms often begin immediately, but it takes time to restructure the patterns that exist. Chronic patterns should be better at the end of this initial protocol but long standing issues will require ongoing maintenance.

Asian Medicine attempts to discern and recognize the underlying causes of your disease. Treatments are global in nature, and each visit requires a reassessment of the presenting pattern. Symptoms are always addressed, but treating the forces that are generating the symptoms must also occur.

Western medicine approaches disease from a linear concept. A problem with the heart requires treatment of the heart. Similarly, a problem with the liver requires liver therapies

Asian therapies regard a specific organ dysfunction as having input from all other organs, and therefore a specific problem, for example with the heart, can be influenced to a greater or lesser degree by any of the other organs. Therapy must address all of these other influences, in order to be successful.

In our lab based therapies, our initial contact will involve creating your health evaluation database. Our forms will provide us with background on past history, potential toxic and infectious exposures, set against current problems and ongoing therapies. In addition, your lifestyle, diet, personal concerns and expectations will be considered.

To provide more detailed data, we also require comprehensive blood and urine testing

We then will arrange an appointment to review your health assessment, and develop a protocol and an integrated strategy of care and treatment, individualized to your unique needs.

At your first visit, we will help you understand the causes that have led to your problems, and the responses your body has chosen to try to maintain its own equilibrium. Often before serious illnesses such as cancer, arthritis, and heart disease manifest, your body will try to rectify the problem, which is seen in your lab testing and symptoms, and we can detect it. At this visit, specific written treatment options will be offered, and you then can decide if this approach is right for you. If we begin therapies, a phone visit will be utilized in 7-10 days to answer questions that arise.

Sometimes things get worse before they get better, and we can discuss new concerns or symptoms. Two or three follow up visits at 6 week intervals are needed for assessing therapies, and adding or deleting supplements.

We will continue to use follow up lab testing as the basis of how we can assess improvement. It is most common to see areas that recover, and areas that are slow in returning to optimum function. As the patterns shift and improve, visits become less necessary, but plan on reassessment every 3-6 months for the first year.

Also, at the beginning, if most systems are impeded, many supplements maybe required. It is important to determine if you feel you are able to take the needed number of pills/ day. This program is designed to help you, and we might need to reduce the number of supplements. While the rate of recovery will be slower, success can still be achieved!

The time required for rebalancing and detoxification usually is 12-18 months, allowing for major eliminations and rejuvenation. As time progresses, most supplementation will be on a maintenance level, to continue the established progress. Initially, therapy will be intense to create change, and then slowly become low level. Along with that, strategies will be introduced to reduce or balance the unavoidable toxic exposures we will continue to be subjected too.