Return To Health (Pando Health Groups)

Any time a situation is happening to us, we are immersed in a whirlwind of thoughts, feelings, emotions, and beliefs. Our thought processes may not at all be clear depending on the intensity of the presenting situation. Illness and injury are the classic scenarios that create this tornado. First, we don't feel well. We may have pain, nausea, or a wide variety of negative experiences that are not usually in our repetoire. We want relief but sometimes, the "fix" is not easy or accessible to us. This brings up our emotions and challenges "our coping strategies". Pretty quickly, the situation can get "cloudy" and even dark. If there is a solution close at hand, great. If there is not, all variety of challenge surfaces. Such is the complexity of working with "chronic disease" (as differentiated from acute illness or injury). All this is complicated by the fact that we isolate ourselves in these instances out of necessity and out of a strong pull a...

For some reason that is not clear to me, there are many more pelicans flying the coast than in years past. It really is spectacular to see them. Total freedom. Complete grace. Union of the flock into one entity. The wind completes supports them. They are rarely working; just gliding. Peace.

I was not raised in the Christian faith but I like the Easter holiday. It is about re-birth and I love that concept and believe in it with all my heart. It is such a more uplifting and positive way to perceive the time after this life. The difference in helping people at the end of life is really quite different with the varying perspective. The despair and clinging to life is just not there. The re-birth of Jesus coincides with the springtime re-birth of life and, to me, it all goes together and is all palpably real. Everything is in bloom; there are newborns of all species all around and winter is finally over. Feeling the cycle of life just feels better. We are not finite dying beings; we are souls having a human experience and then moving on to the next adventure. Happy Easter!

The point of my story was not to talk about myself. It was to illustrate a path to healing. (1) Awareness of our "wounding" belief(s) (2) Developing a process that one can go through quickly and efficiently when he or she realizes that they are in an undesirable state (angry, anxious, irritated) (3) Come to acceptance of oneself (as opposed to rejection) Simple. Doable. Replicable. Can be done without another person helping once the "hidden" beliefs are revealed.

I have been working very hard to try to come up with a formula and process for returning people to health. I have spent many years as a doctor and learned many lessons. The main challenge in helping people is to understand what they believe and then guide them to perceive (believe) something slightly or markedly different. This shift in perception and belief can lead to transformation and healing. The core initial challenge is attempting to reveal people's beliefs. It seems like this would be very easy--just ask them. However, beliefs are often hidden to individuals and thus out of their own conscious awareness. In particular, core beliefs are often not conscious to people as they led to disapproval at some time in their life and as a result were buried in the unconscious. Uncovering deep seeded beliefs can be tedious but bears great fruit when one is attempting to change and get healthier. All behavior stems from beliefs so uncovering beliefs is key to "true" transformat...

I recently was given an article from AARP called Reinventing Home: Happy Together by Sally Abrahms. It is a very interesting perspective on a new way of facing the true challenges of aging: facing loneliness and coping with increasing need for support. I feel like I have tried for my entire career to help seniors (especially the vulnerable ones--those that live alone, are recently widowed, or those that have trouble connecting with others). This "social" solution is the answer to this very core problem. The article explores several different solutions to the problem--"niche" communities (ie university based retirement communities for those who value lifelong learning and the benefits which come from being attached to a college campus), cohousing (intergenerational communities who share common space and share meals and activities but have their own living quarters), "Green Houses" which are modern, small nursing homes with more of a small, cozy home feel), ...

I have been thinking about my father lately. I have never written about him although he was the most influential person in my life. He pushed me to excel and while I resented the very conditional acceptance he offered me, I fully realize that it was his pushing me that allowed my life to be one rich in opportunities and great satisfaction. While my challenge is and has been to accept myself, I would not trade any of my experiences, adventures or associations for anything. My dad had an enormous and very loving heart. He was a dentist by trade but a healer and cheerleader at his core. He had a huge capacity for work and this is what he did and what defined him. He worked 12-14 hours most days and when he came home, he did not collapse, relax and rejuvenate; he worked out and usually worked out hard. He had amazing energy, persistence and fortitude. This likely came from deep inside him as a response to his "demons". He could not and did not love and accept himself so his work ...

Yesterday in my Senior Health Forum that I run in Del Mar, we discussed the end-of-life. In the past when we have broached this "loaded" issue, I have been surprised that this topic seems to grab the audience more than any other. Yesterday was no exception. I invited 2 good friends (Joseph and Michael Rubano) to talk about the recent passing of their father. I asked them to be our leaders because I considered their father's passing to be a "successful" end of life. This concept of "Dying Well" was discussed in depth in the book by this name by Ira Byock MD (president of the American Hospice Movement). I have sought out this goal above all others in my practice of medicine. I always remember and truly believe the quote by Ram Dass "the most important moment of any incarnation is the moment before death". I heard this many years ago and have valued the concept highly ever since. My own father did not have a "good end of life" as I wou...

I read what I consider to be a truly great article this morning in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). It was called "Technology, Diet and the Burden of Chronic Disease" written by David Ludwig MD,PhD. It was short (2 pages) but clear, concise and in my opinion truly profound. The upshot was that the vast majority of chronic disease is directly related to the evolution in food which has occurred over the last 200 years. This is not new and not earth-shattering but I was struck by how simply worded and clear the information was delivered. Ultraprocessing is at the heart of the problem. By becoming slaves to convenience, ease and speed, we as a society have literally thrown away our health and well-being. Fast food and processed food replaces micronutrients, fiber and phytochemicals (the building blocks of fruits, vegetables, nuts,seeds and legumes) with low quality and unhealthful fats and high calorie sugars. In addition, water is taken out and processed food...

At the very heart of this life is a force and energy that gets us up in the morning and fills our thoughts throughout the day. Most of us are so busy and overwhelmed with the activities of our lives that we often lose sight of this powerful driving force. However, even if we are not aware of our "reason to be", I propose that it is still our main stabilizing and guiding influence in our lives. For many, the life force is centered on providing safety, security, food and shelter for our families. This noble goal can completely dominate our consciousness as it is a true and ongoing challenge in this complex world. For those fortunate enough to have these basic needs met either by good fortune or through their previous hard work, there is another level of challenge to be grappled with. The next level is an existential challenge quite different from meeting the basic human needs. It can be about finding love or learning to love ourselves. It can be about peace and contentment. It ...