community spotlgight
An Integrative Path to Healing:
Q&A with Dr. Fred Harvey by Mary-Elizabeth Schurrer
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f there ever was a time for a thorough, in-depth lens into the full spectrum of our health, this would be it. For the past year, our bodies have weakened beneath the pressures of anxiety, fear, stress, loneliness, depression and other mental health concerns that can harm our physical wellbeing too. Now combine these stressors with existing chronic pain, medical issues or the threat of COVID-19 itself, and we are in desperate need of healing at the root level. That is why I have chosen to focus this month’s Community Spotlight around the topic of integrative medicine. This form of healthcare merges the advanced research and technology of the West with the ancient wisdom and intuition of the East to develop a full-body treatment plan for each individual. In a season, when health can feel tenuous and inaccessible, it’s a relief to know there are practitioners in our own community who are devoted to our wellness. So this month, I want to shine a light on local integrative and functional medicine physician Dr. Fred Harvey for a deeper look at the benefits of these modalities. Natural Awakenings: Could you summarize integrative and functional 22
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medicines’ approach to healthcare, and what does this entail in your practice? Dr. Fred Harvey: Integrative medicine takes a healing-orientated approach which includes the use of both conventional and alternative healthcare methods. We combine Western medical testing and interventions, along with Eastern medicine philosophies which facilitate the body’s innate aptitude to heal itself when the obstructions to healing are removed. Integrative medicine neither rejects conventional medicine nor accepts alternative therapies uncritically, but uses the best of both worlds. My career began in internal and geriatric medicine when I was drawn into advanced training in alternative medicine after learning from biochemist Dr. Jeffrey Bland, the father of functional medicine, through his ability to synthesize complex scientific ideas. As a result, the Harvey Center for Integrative Medicine (HCIM) in Sarasota is a primary care and consultative practice focused on both integrative and functional medicine which allows for multi-modality treatment options. My goal is to prevent disease rather than just to treat random symptoms by template
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matching a set of medical insurance codes. HCIM does not accept insurance due to their restrictive limitations of coverage. In my practice, the team customizes an individualized treatment plan for each unique client. This wellness plan takes into account all physical needs including nutrition, exercise, hydration, sleep and emotional stressors. Due to our thorough attention to detail, a first-time consultation will often require between 90 and 120 minutes. During an integrative medicine visit, we discuss detoxification, testing for metal and petrochemicals, and treatments for allergies or sensitivities. Often, I see patients with advanced dis-ease, so I work to bolster their systems with a combination of lifestyle changes, nutrition, acupuncture, chiropractic, psychotherapy, nutritional supplements, or in some cases, medications and other interventions like surgery. Functional medicine is a patientcentered, science-based approach that focuses on revitalizing human function rather than just attacking the symptoms of a disease. Therefore, functional medicine trained physicians identify the root causes of an illness such as poor nutrition, stress, toxins, allergens, genetics and the human microbiome. Many clients are drawn to my practice from out of state with complicated or misdiagnosed conditions. The increased acceptance of telehealth second-opinion consultations has been extraordinarily successful. As a result, I can review an out of town or isolating client’s lab results and medical records, then advise them on various concerns through a telehealth call. It is common for a loved one or caregiver to participate in the call too. NA: I understand you have been using this telehealth model extensively in the past year. How has it benefited patients during COVID-19? Dr. Harvey We have a mixed model at the Harvey Center for Integrative Medicine. The regulations on telemedicine have become less restrictive due to the pandemic. This allows me to advise patients remotely for chronic illness maintenance follow-ups, lab reviews and new health concerns that might arise. With clients who are sheltering at home to limit their virus exposure, telehealth enables them to continue scheduling their necessary follow-up visits and remain conscientious about their healthcare. In-person visits are necessary for new patient consultations, primary
