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Over twenty-five years
ago I was introduced to homeopathy. Although it helped with the
problems I was having at the time, I thought of homeopathic remedies
as similar to helpful
 herbs or supplements. I didn't understand
that the system of homeopathy is based on a comprehensive philosophy
and approach to understanding states of health and disease.
Years later, I was immersed in the practice of conventional medicine
as a physician assistant. I worked in the areas of ophthalmology,
orthopedics, urgent care, family practice and internal medicine, and
coordinated and taught clinical medicine courses at the University
of Wisconsin Physician Assistant Program. Although I was very
confident about the benefits of modern medicine, I began to reflect
on those realms of conventional medical practice which truly helped
a person, and which did not.
One of my best students at the time used homeopathic remedies for
her children, and this re-introduced me to that approach. I asked
her, 'Now, tell me honestly, do the remedies really work?' Her
answer was a confident 'Yes.' After reading my first book on
homeopathy, I was fascinated by the valid critique it offered into
the strengths and weaknesses of my 'own' conventional practice. I
was particularly concerned by the realization that--apart from the
'absence of disease'--conventional medicine offered few guiding or
integrated definitions of health.
I began by reading more books, and each month took a jet from Alaska
to Seattle to study homeopathy with other medical professionals.
After completing the 120 hour course, it was clear I would need
much more training. I moved to Minneapolis to work in a
complementary medicine clinic while completing an intense four year
program of homeopathic study.
Although the homeopathic philosophy of health and disease first
attracted me to the practice, my confidence in the remedies
developed over time. When I first watched 'before and after' videos
of homeopathic patients in Seattle, the visual evidence helped to
confirm what I'd read. But it was after using a remedy to resolve a
nephew's nightmares I was truly amazed. The experience with my
first clients further impressed me with the diversity of problems
which homeopathy can address.
Since that time, I've treated hundreds of patients of all ages, and
my respect for the power of homeopathy has only continued to grow.
Even with the darkest places we may find ourselves--physically,
mentally or emotionally--the homeopathic remedies offer a sure means
to help us out, and I'm very thankful to be a witness to that
healing.
(David is seen
here with his wife Sue, and his daughters, Abby and Emily.)
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