This is what I see when I arrive and leave the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine
My body is reacting to something. I am trying to figure out what it is but if I went by what I feel like, I would think I’m getting glutened. Which I know isn’t happening. I am changing things one by one to see what helps and what doesn’t. So far, coconut has helped the most with the rashes, itchiness, and flaky scalp. These symptoms haven’t been much of a problem since going gluten-free. With the exception of the rashes I had earlier this year.
There is also muscle fatigue and overall general fatigue. The kind where I’m coming from work and not wanting to do anything other than sleep. There are nights where I end up crashing on the sofa before bedtime. Some heart palpitations. A lot of inflammation. So much inflammation my plantar fasciitis is in a constant state of swollen pain and nothing helps. Nothing. Not icing, not stretching, not rice, not golf balls, not yoga. It’s quite frustrating because I know the inflammation is driving the fatigue.
There is a constant state of chaos and stress right now at work with a major store remodel in progress. In one night, it is possible for a project I’ve worked on for days to be completely undone and have to be re-done. Things are in a constant state of flux and answers are hidden away somewhere. Probably in the disaster of a fixture room in which I always feel like everything will come crashing down on me if I move just one thing the wrong way. There is also all kinds of crap in the air. Dust, paint fumes, chemicals, sawdust. Who knows what else is lurking in the air. I could blame it all on the remodel, but a lot of the symptoms started before anything was touched.
We leave for Los Angeles on Thursday. Time with my best friend and her family, whom I haven’t seen in nearly three years. A football game on Saturday for my alma mater. The promise of a beach and other friends from long ago. The possibility of a musical at The Old Globe Theater if Chaz agrees. 
I’m hoping the time away will help me at least narrow down what is setting my body off on this massive reaction. That way, when I get back and see my doctor the week after, I can present her with my findings, leaving the potential for the amount of testing low.
You see, the practice she is a part of practices what they call Transformational Medicine. It combines integrative and functional medicine and they take everything into account when making an assessment. It’s not just about what’s going on in your body today, but yesterday, last week, last month, and last year. They consider stress, nutrition, metabolic function, immune system, hormones, and your body’s alignment.
I’ve been going to this practice for a year and a half now. I get acupuncture, chiropractic, and the occasion energy healing when needed. It’s not covered by insurance, but worth every penny because not only can we head things off before they get ugly, we can prevent.
I look forward to my appointments. I know they will listen, take care of me, and I’ll be relaxed throughout my time there. What doctor’s office plays music you normally only hear in posh spas? That’s right. Mine.
The founders of the practice, Steve Amoils, M.D. & Sandy Amoils, M.D., recently released the book, Get Well & Stay Well. They share their journey of learning other types of healing after finishing medical school and how transformational medicine works. It’s a great book even if you have no clue about alternative medicine and want to learn more. For those of you who are familiar with alternative medicine, you’ll see how combining the different practices along with Western medicine can benefit you.
I may not find all the answers at my next appointment, but I know I’ll feel better when I leave.
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