Miravone's Blog

I spent this past week at an integrative medical practice observing a medical doctor provide "natural" injection therapy for patients with anything from trigger points to osteoarthritis of the knee. At first I was actually skeptical of how "natural" injections were considering it was an injection, which is pretty invasive, and definitely not anything we have the opportunity to perform or be exposed to in clinic. 

However, after speaking with the medical doctor and his patients, it was amazing to see the impact his care was doing in conjunction with chiropractic care. He was injecting a homeopathic remedy called Serapin, which is similar to what we learn in school as Traumeel (contains mainly Arnica) as a potent anti-inflammatory. The medical doctor himself revealed that when he was asked to be part of this treatment protocol, he was very skeptical himself. He did not think there was any way for the "homeopathic remedy" to work as well as something like a corticosteroid. However, after utilizing this treatment modality for 6-7 months now with multiple patients, he has admitted that he has "converted" to a believer in non-invasive and gentle therapy such as homeopathy! What a huge accomplishment for us as naturopaths!

After all, we are not in this medical profession alone but we are surrounded by brilliant and knowledgeable medical doctors who may start off just as skeptical as the medical doctor I observed. But our medicine works! Most of the patients at this clinic are part of the geriatric community, already take tons of pharmaceuticals, and are not willing or able to participate in all the "lifestyle changes" we may want to make before resorting to something like an injection. So, I completely learned to understand and respect the medicine that was being practiced at this clinic and became very impressed. Due to HIPPA, I could not provide you with pictures of the actual injections I witnessed but it was a very awesome experience!

And the people we got to work with were great! They even had a potluck while we were there that we participated in! (The picture above shows the food and some of the therapists at the clinic.)     

The patient population I see at school is mainly 20-50 years of age, which is still very young, while the clinic I observed this week ranged mainly from 50-90 years of age! That is a huge difference in how treatment must be delivered and patient management in general. It was a great experience to be exposed to something so different and a fun break from being on campus all day long!

My grandma and I at dinner after my family picked me up at the airport!

Now, I am (don't be jealous) writing this blog from sunny Southern California! I am actually sitting enjoying a cup of coffee (just ONE cup) while waiting to head into my next clinic adventure with a licensed naturopathic doctor. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. I have absolutely no idea what type of patient population I will be exposed to but just love that I get to be in California. Driving in morning rush hour traffic isn't so bad when you have mountains and palm trees surrounding your view! :)

Next week will be my last blog for you guys...for good! I am so happy that I have the opportunity to share with you my experience in California and hope you have enjoyed my blurbs thus far. :) Take care and have a good & sunny week!

Oh, and here is my 16-week baby bump! 

I can't wait to share with you my next upcoming weeks! I will be shadowing a physical medicine clinic in Arlington Heights this week and the following week, I will be venturing off to sunny Southern California to shadow a naturopathic doctor. Not only am I excited to travel to California, but also I am excited to see an ND in a licensed state while being able to see my family all at the same time.

The picture I included just encompasses how my life has been lately. Sunny, happy and SUNNY! I cannot believe that we have been blessed with this amazing weather, and seeing my nephew with his big smile just makes me even more excited for the little one I'll get to hold in September! :) Although we have had this joyous weather, I heard it's going to change soon and be a bit chillier than the mere 70-80º we've had, which I am fine with considering I am literally an oven right now!

Ryan and I went to enjoy the weather this weekend and had some amazing RAW food at "Borrowed Earth Café" in Downers Grove. It's a vegan raw restaurant that always makes me feel AMAZING afterwards because it's really just raw vegetables that are transformed. You should try it at least once as a student. It's so close to NUHS. It made me feel good to feel like myself again. This pregnancy has definitely taken my body into completely different directions of emotional and physical feelings. In the beginning, the only calories I could stomach was junk food! Bleh! But now I am finally "indulging" in my normal meals filled with lots of fruit, vegetables and good healthy protein! Nutrition is really key to a healthy life in general but especially in pregnancy.

We (you and I) have been on this journey together for a long time and I can't believe that it is coming to an end soon. It's bittersweet really. I have enjoyed writing this blogs, receiving insight and questions from you all, and it has given me my own way to reflect. I hope I have been able to help you make some important decisions in your life and give you an honest and open outlook into what NUHS has in store for you if you choose it as a part of your journey! :)

Have a good week everyone!

The title of my blog is so random, I know! But I can't get over how awesome it felt to wear a mustache out in public for my cousin's birthday! Since the first trimester of my pregnancy is over, it's been more do-able to enjoy life in general including all the joy of finishing up my clinic numbers. 

After this past week, I have finished up about 90% of my requirements, which is huge!!! I still have some loose ends to tie up, but the hard part is officially over for me. It is a different type of experience to still deliver quality health care while thinking in the back of your mind that you have very specific requirements to obtain. The support of my colleagues as well as opportunities that have opened up to me have really helped ease that stress.

I remember sitting in 8th trimester clinic orientation looking at the minimum requirements that need to be obtained before you get to walk across that stage to get your diploma. I had feelings of anxiety along with uncertainty that I would be able to accomplish these requirements while still maintaining my sanity. It has been a difficult journey thus far, but looking back, I can appreciate all the rough spots I had to experience in order to fully be grateful for the future.

It's the little things that have helped me through this process. My patients telling me how much they'll miss me, and that I'm irreplaceable. Referrals from very happy and trusting patients have been amazing. And most of all, the camaraderie among some of my colleagues has been priceless and has helped me get to where I am today--not to forget the support and prayers from my family and husband.

This time next week, I will be preparing to enter my first round of clinical observations at a rehab clinic with a chiropractor and medical doctor. Then, I'll be packing up to head to Southern California for about 10 days to observe a naturopathic doctor for 4 days as well as visit family. After returning from California, I will have about 1 week before graduation!

Time has definitely gone by and I still can't believe that a year ago, I was sitting in class still studying for exams and writing papers. Now I am enjoying the work I've put in and waiting to get that diploma in my hand!

Have a good week everyone! And for those Illinois residents, go out and enjoy this amazing March summer-like weather!!!