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Philosophy
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 Throughout these confusing times of change in health care, Dr. Ranheim has consistently followed some basic principles.
He likes to consider the entire person (body, mind, and spirit) because the body is not just an assortment of parts. He repeatedly asks, "What will it take to both get this patient well and keep them well?" Integrity in relationships, personal honesty, and the truth are highly valued. He is willing to try things which may be a little different if they will help his patients. He encourages patients to embrace their given conditions and take personal responsibility for getting well. He likes to see people find their life’s purpose and do all they can to get well so as to fulfill that mission.
Dr. Ranheim believes that the human body has more of an ability to get well, if given a chance.
That leads him to seek root causes of illness and follow more natural approaches to treatments.
Choosing A Healthy Lifestyle
To Encourage “Optimal Health”, we suggest pursuing these 7 principles:
• Avoid Harm
• Eat Right
• Settle Down
• Clear Out
• O2
• Recharge
• Balance
While this planet is not currently perfect, we are confident that by making the effort most patients’ health can improve significantly. It is generally important to be working to help yourself in most if not all of these seven areas at the same time. Do not be overwhelmed but simply start where you are today and gradually build a little bit one day at a time.
Avoid Harm as much as possible; avoid those things that harm your body systems:
Air - Chemicals, toxins, dusts and allergy triggers (pollen, pet, house dust, mold, fumes
Food - Junk foods and allergic foods with artificial additives, preservatives, dyes, flavor enhancer’s, sugars and so on.
Water - Chlorine, chemicals, germs and toxic metals.
Eat Right – learn how to shop and prepare nutritious foods; then digest them well with added enzymes if necessary to be sure your intestines absorb the food you eat. Consistently use appropriate nutritional supplements while taking care of your amazing liver. Utilize IV therapy when absorption is poor or your body needs are particularly high.
Settle Down – a “revved up immune system” (allergies) may require desensitization with allergy shots or drops: Even an overactive nervous system may need help to settle down through counseling, meditation, prayer, massage, neural therapy, acupuncture or chiropractic.
Clear Out – living in “civilization” frequently goes along with accumulating toxins in the body such as chemicals, heavy metals and germs. Detoxification is the process of getting rid of them. Don’t forget to clean out toxic relationships, negative thoughts, personal “garbage” and false beliefs.
O2 – Exercise and oxygen therapies assure that every cell is well nourished. Be sure your exercise is regular, graded, comprehensive and carefully paced. You may need added 02.
Recharge – good sleep, fun stuff, laughter, and creative hobbies, good fellowship, frequent clarification of ultimate life goals and regular worship of the creator build us up and hold us together.
Balance – deficient hormones need to be replaced and balanced. The two sides of your automatic nervous systems (fight/rest) need to be cooperating. There should be harmony between your physical body as well as your emotions, will, mind and spirit. Work hard but pace yourself wisely. Finally, keep a balance between meeting your own personal needs and desires and those of your family and the greater community.
Our staff stands by ready to help you on your path to optimal health. We strive to make our professional services of the highest quality: then we deliver them in a personal way. Let us know if we can do better.
Know that in the practice of Integrated Health there are things, which we cannot do for you: We will help you learn how to help yourself. Remember too that while medications can help, let these 7 basics be your health foundation.
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Female Hormone Replacement
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Over the years, millions of women have taken female hormones for various reasons. In 2002, reports of a study in which horse estrogen was given in fixed combination with synthetic progestin demonstrated an increased risk of blood clots and breast cancer especially with prolonged usage. Many are wondering if it is safe to take any form of hormone replacement therapy.
While few topics have been more fully studied, the final answer is not in: There is no well-accepted “best program” among experts. As we think through the problem we believe the following principles are helpful: the patient needs to participate in evaluating risks and benefits in their particular situation.
1. Is there a need? Severe night sweats which block sleep, hot flushes impairing regular activities, significant osteoporosis risk, unusually dry skin with irritability, hormone triggered migraine headaches, and disabling mood swings are examples of needs which may require the careful use of natural hormones.
2. Is there an alternative to female hormones, particularly estrogen? Herbs, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids along with exercise and good diet (and perhaps medications) may provide adequate resolution of symptoms and aid in prevention of future disease. Persons at greater risk for cancer should consider their options carefully (family history of cancer, prior cancer, prior abortions, poor nutrition, toxic loads, obesity, childless, alcohol).
3. Are we using the most natural approach if hormones are chosen? The farther we get from simple approaches the more likely we are to have problems. Hormones made from soy or yam are biodentical meaning they do not look like a stranger to your body. Cyclic administration may be recommended.
4. Have we carefully selected physiologic doses of replacement hormones? Too much or not enough hormone may create problems: it is also important to balance all hormones. Consider also estrogen metabolism: a simple urine test is typically used to see if your liver is producing potentially harmful metabolites.
5. Am I pursuing a healthy lifestyle? Getting good nutrition, taking regular exercise, assuring adequate rest, and avoiding environment toxins in air, food and water help prevent disease. Persons with accumulated toxic waste may need assisted detoxification to clear pesticides and chemicals. One tablespoon of fish oil and 400 IU of vitamin E daily appear to significantly help prevent clot related disorders.
6. Do I need to continue hormones forever? Replacement hormones can be stopped at any time and certainly after a year or two one should consider diminishing the dose or stopping and see if the need continues.
7. In spite of our best efforts, diseases can occur: Follow appropriate screening measures such as Pap smears, pelvic exams, breast exams and mammography as indicated. Early detection is still of great value. |
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