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Homeopathic Medicine Addresses the Whole Patient, Not Just the Disease

by Sheila Julson

Dr. Alex Bekker edies, despite the same diag- diagnose, but instead seek guidance from a developed an inter- nosis. “No two individuals are trained homeopathic practitioner. est in homeopathic alike,” he affirms. “So the care The AIH represents medical practitioners medicine well before he is individualized.” of homeopathy and includes M.D.s such as attended medical school. Homeopathic medi- Bekker, along with DOs, naturopathic docThrough a friend, Bek- cines, which come in delivery tors, dentists and nurse practitioners. “Our ker had the opportunity to forms including pellets, major mission is to educate the practitiomeet concert pianist-turned liquid drops and tablets, ners and provide a platform in which we homeopathic practitioner are prepared with natural can address any concerns that our practiAlain Naude. “I learned animal, vegetable or mineral tioners may have,” Bekker says. “We also about homeopathic medi- substances diluted to very address concerns of the community.” cine and saw how it works small amounts. Bekker has The AIH currently has two naturopathic firsthand,” he says. Homeopathic medicine, Dr. Alex Bekker heard questions about the efficacy of such minute doses physicians on its board. The organization is specifically interested in any issues with a “like treats like” approach, uses of medicine, but with homeopathy, less that naturopathic physicians have on state small doses of natural substances is more. “Very small amounts of a or federal levels regarding their ability to that stimulate and strengthen the substance can have a remarkable practice homeopathy. AIH partners with body’s immune system to defend effect on the body,” he says. the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic itself. The approach is based on the Homeopathic medicines are safe Physicians to help promote homeopathic concept that substances which cause when made according to U.S. Food and medicine. symptoms in generally healthy people can Drug Administration regulated guidelines, “I think the fact is that consumer demand in small, diluted doses, cure symptoms in Bekker says. True homeopathic medicine for homeopathy has risen a great deal over sick people by triggering the body’s natural is made according to standards established the last 10 to 15 years,” Bekker notes. “We defenses. by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of have a lot of integrative and functional

Bekker was born in Ukraine and came to the United States (HPUS), which was first medicine doctors, but in homeopathy, the United States when he was 10. He had published by AIH in 1897. not as much. The AIH strives to expose taught English at the community college “HPUS is the standard for making ho- more medical doctors to homeopathy and level for 15 years before changing career meopathic remedies. The pharmacies that strengthen it in the naturopathic field.” paths and pursuing medicine. He received make homeopathic remedies make them his medical degree in 1996 from the Uni- specifically in very tiny amounts, accordversity of Texas Health Science Center at ing to a standardized procedure,” Bekker San Antonio. explains. “Unfortunately, in today’s market

After working in emergency room there are medications labeled homeopathic settings for 15 years, he pivoted toward which are not. Some of these so-called homeopathic care, which he felt was more medications have caused some effective in helping patients restore their problems in patients, but they are health. Bekker is the current president of not homeopathic.” the American Institute of Homeopathy Bekker also advises that (AIH) and the editor-in-chief of the Ameri- people shouldn’t confuse can Journal of Homeopathic Medicine. natural substances like

Bekker emphasizes that homeopathic herbal supplements with remedies are more specific to individu- homeopathic medications. als rather than to conditions, focusing on He refers people to research whole person health. Two different patients presented on the AIH webthat come into his office with colds might site, homeopathyusa.org and receive two different homeopathic rem- advises that people don’t selfDr. Alex Bekker is located at 5209 Heritage Ave., Ste. 410, in Colleyville. For more information, call 817-545-5400 or visit AlexBekkerMD.com.

Homeopathic remedies work by gently helping the body restore internal balance. As the body becomes balanced, symptoms are reduced and healing occurs without side effects.

A symptom that returns frequently, seasonally or yearly is not considered to be an acute complaint. That symptom is simply part of the person’s experience and must be addressed as a part of the whole person.

Most adults have more than one complaint. Homeopathy addresses all of a person’s complaints with a single remedy.

As no two people are alike, those with the same medical diagnosis may not receive the same homeopathic remedy. They may have different physical reactions, different reactions to their environment, and different life experiences.

The homeopathic remedy choice is based on the unique symptoms of each person, including general physical complaints and mental or emotional stressors.

Homeopathic remedies are safe, gentle, and affordable.

Regina Edwards practices at the Holistic Center of Dallas. For more information, call 214-824-4949 and visit HolisticCenterDallas.com. See ad on page 27.

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