Before we can define the magic that Amanda McNabb, B.U.S., D.C., N.M.D., is performing over at Charleston Health, we need to define a term that is often bandied about rather carelessly these days: holistic medicine.
Holistic medicine is rooted in healing a patient while considering the entirety of their person —balancing their physical, mental, spiritual and emotional well-being to obtain a natural state of optimal health.
That is to say, it isn’t magic at all. It’s a science based on many moving parts, which is only natural, as humans are intrinsically made up of many moving parts themselves.
Dr. McNabb, a licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor and board-certified Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine is eager to usher HealthLinks readers onto an effective path of vibrant, healthier living.
In addition to caring for the usual suspects covered under chiropractic care — pain management and recovery from injury — McNabb is keen to work with patients who need or desire to balance those aforementioned moving parts. Weight loss, hormonal imbalances and premature aging are all addressed at her practice. Be forewarned — treating these issues involves making big changes.
“After a lifetime of imbalance, there are many components that we may need to address. Trauma, hormones, life stress, poor habits — all contribute to an imbalance in your system. It can be overwhelming, but I’m here to walk alongside patients as we address these issues one at a time,” McNabb said.
The road to wellness isn’t always easy. If you consider how long most of us live without addressing certain needs, expecting a “quick fix” isn’t exactly fair to the patient or the physician.
“It takes people anywhere from two to five years to manifest change,” said McNabb. “It’s hard but I am here to help.”
McNabb following the philosophy “The power that made the body, heals the body,” also reminded us that though the body is self-healing, it’s not always self-correcting.
“Imagine falling off a bicycle and breaking your arm. Your arm would heal itself right where it is. However, your arm might not be able to put itself in the right place to heal correctly. That’s where physicians come in,” said McNabb.
“When there’s a problem, we want to find it, fix it and leave it alone — essentially removing interference in order to set the body up for success.”
Dr. McNabb treats issues by finding the root of the problem. Once the source is determined, troublesome symptoms often go away.
For example, many patients approach Dr. McNabb unhappy with their weight after having tried “everything under the sun.”
“Most women trying to lose weight are typically using methods that work best for men. So understanding metabolism and how different we all are is crucial,” according to McNabb.
Fast weight loss isn’t ideal, either.
“Healthy weight loss is about two pounds per week,” McNabb added. “Every pound of fat your body loses, your body has to restructure itself — your vascular system, connective tissue, for example — and it takes a little while to do that.”
To schedule an assessment with Dr. McNabb and to explore all avenues to a healthier life, visit charlestonhealth.org.
By Amy Gesell