healthy kids
FEBRUARY
Coming Next Month
Heart Health
Healing the Whole Child Holistic Pediatricians Go Beyond change
can do you good Join the Natural Awakenings Franchise Family
For more info, visit: NaturalAwakenings.com
26
Palm Beach Edition
W
nenetus/AdobeStock.com
Plus: Eco-Friendly Weddings
Meds
hen Jackie Jones’ 4-year-old at PisforPregnant.com, benefitted by Ronica advice O’Hara daughter had a persistent from a growing trend among pediatricians. runny nose and cough, three The number of doctors that self-identify as visits to the pediatrician proved fruitless. holistic by joining the integrative medicine “He would see us for two minutes, listen section of the American Academy of Pedito her chest, saying she had ‘a cold’, and yet atrics has grown from a dozen in the early still prescribe an antibiotic and steroid that 1990s to more than 400 today, says Kathi would just trash her immune system,” the Kemper, M.D., an Ohio State University Atlanta mom says. “She ended up developpediatrics professor who founded the secing pneumonia in both lungs that landed tion and authored The Holistic Pediatrician. her in the hospital.” “Holistic pediatricians are interested This propelled Jones to switch her in helping children and families meet children’s care to a holistic pediatritheir health goals, not just diagnosing and dispensing drugs,” she says. “We use an cian. “He actually listens to me and takes evidence-informed approach, including all time with his patients, and recommends appropriate therapies and therapists, with vitamins and supplements to keep them a strong emphasis on healthy lifestyle behealthy, in comparison to just handing out antibiotics,” she says. On the first visit, he haviors such as diet, exercise, sleep, stress queried Jones about family use of shammanagement, social and emotional skills, spirituality and a healthy environment.” poos, soaps and cleaning products that might contain chemicals. “Definitely not Many pediatricians report they want a conversation I had with my old pediatrito know more about integrative approaches because of their frustration in treating the cian!” she related. chronic conditions in one-quarter to one-half Jones, who dispenses pregnancy
NaPalmBeach.com
