Episodes

  • “What Matters to You?” The Profound Effect of Purpose with Dr. Benjamin Kligler

    “What Matters to You?” The Profound Effect of Purpose with Dr. Benjamin Kligler
    Nov 25 2024
    In this episode, Dr. Melinda Ring talks with Dr. Benjamin Kligler, a leader in integrative medicine and Executive Director of the Office of Patient Centered Care & Cultural Transformation at the Veterans Health Administration (VA) who is responsible for advancing the Whole Health Model of care at the VA. They explore how Whole Health shifts the focus of care from “What’s the matter with you?” to “What matters to you?” They also dive into the importance of research in integrative medicine, such as an observational study Kligler conducted that showed veterans using Whole Health experienced significantly greater reductions in opioid use compared to those receiving conventional care. Find out how tools such as Whole Health can impact health and wellbeing for patients and empower clinicians, too. [00:01:53] Dr. Kligler explains how his interest in integrative medicine began with a college course in ethnobotany and evolved when he began combining conventional medicine with holistic approaches when treating patients as a Family Medicine physician. [00:05:17] As part of his approach to medicine, Kligler tries to help patients being in charge of their health. He cites Dr. Andrew Weil’s book “Spontaneous Healing: How to Discover and Enhance: Your Body's Natural Ability to Maintain and Heal Itself” as a major influence on his approach that emphasizes intrinsic healing capacities and personalized care. [00:10:51] Research became an important part of his career once he realized that it is "language of conventional medicine" and an important avenue for generating new knowledge to further conversations and validate integrative approaches. [00:16:09] The Whole Health Model has been very successful in the past decade at the VA and some highlights include using Whole Health to help veterans reduce opioid dependency by incorporating complementary therapies like acupuncture and health coaching into their care. [00:25:35] Dr. Kligler shares an inspiring story of a veteran, who is also a pastor, who was suffering with chronic pain and was able to reduce his pain and reliance on opioids through the Whole Health Model. The patient was also able to reconnect with his purpose in life, which he says is an important end goal because people who report a low sense of purpose have 2.5 times the risk of an early death compared to people with a high sense of purpose at age 50. [00:29:23] Dr. Ring says she asks doctors and nurse practitioners training in integrative medicine to compare the whole health inventory to a standard patient intake form and reflect on the difference between the two from the perspective of a patient. Dr. Kligler adds that adopting tools such as the inventory from the Whole Health approach transforms the physician-patient dynamic by fostering a collaborative partnership. This approach helps clinicians move away from viewing patients as individuals who need to be “fixed,” especially when many of the challenges patients face don’t have straightforward solutions. He says this approach could curb physician burn out, too. Catch full episodes of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern/podcasts 📺 Listen to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-health-with-dr-melinda-ring/id1769262080 or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. — Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern?sub_confirmation=1 — Follow the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmoshercenter/ Website: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/ocih/index.html — Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/ocih/about-us/newsletter.html
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    37 mins
  • Compassionate Healing- Modern Advocacy & Traditional Herbal Wisdom with Dr. Tieraona Low Dog

    Compassionate Healing- Modern Advocacy & Traditional Herbal Wisdom with Dr. Tieraona Low Dog
    Nov 11 2024
    In this episode, Dr. Melinda Ring talks with Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, a leader within the field of integrative medicine, whose unique background includes training as an herbalist, midwife, physician and is the Founding Director of Medicine Lodge Ranch. She's also a leader in education, overseeing the Fellowship of Integrative and Functional Medicine at UC Irvine's Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute. and Former Fellowship Director, University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. They discuss how botanical medicine, holistic approaches and self-advocacy can transform health. Dr. Low Dog has served on the White House Commission for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy, advised the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health at the NIH, and chaired expert panels on dietary supplements in the U.S. Pharmacopeia for over 25 years. She is the author of more than 54 peer reviewed articles, 25 textbook chapters, and multiple books. [00:02:27] Dr. Low Dog’s Journey to Medicine From midwifery and herbalism to medical school, Dr. Low Dog describes how her holistic background shaped her approach to healthcare and her passion for integrative medicine. [00:09:38] Addressing Major Health Challenges in the U.S. Dr. Low Dog thinks some of the most pressing health concerns facing Americans today include the mental health crisis, obesity and chronic diseases. She explores how integrative medicine offers a more whole-person approach to tackling these challenges. [00:20:27] The Power of Botanical Medicine Drawing from her extensive knowledge and years of practice as an herbalist and medical doctor, Dr. Low Dog shares insights into botanical medicine's role in health, sharing specific examples of plants like echinacea, comfrey and hops that serve both food and medicinal purposes. [00:32:38] Final Reflections on Health Advocacy and Self-Care Dr. Low Dog views the doctor/patient relationship as a partnership but says self-advocacy in healthcare is very important. She also reflects on the preciousness of life and the need for self-compassion as a foundation for making healthier choices. Catch full episodes of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern/podcasts 📺 Listen to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-health-with-dr-melinda-ring/id1769262080 or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. — Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern?sub_confirmation=1 — Follow the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmoshercenter/ Website: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/ocih/index.html — Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/ocih/about-us/newsletter.html
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    36 mins
  • The Progress and Perception of Integrative Health with Dr. Helene Langevin

    The Progress and Perception of Integrative Health with Dr. Helene Langevin
    Oct 28 2024

    In this episode, Dr. Melinda Ring talks with Dr. Helene Langevin, Director of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) at the National Institutes of Health.They explore the evolution of integrative health and the progress the field has made into mainstream acceptance in recent decades. Dr. Langevin discusses the complexities of researching holistic treatments and new NIH initiatives aimed at developing methodologies to study complex integrative health interventions.They also explore Dr. Langvin’s area of research expertise, which is fascia, a thin casing of connective tissue that surrounds and holds every organ, blood vessel, bone, nerve fiber and muscle in place, and its connection to musculoskeletal and overall health.

    [00:02:31] – Mind-Body Connection in Medicine: Dr. Langevin discusses her early interest in the mind-body connection, sharing how her research on the hypothalamus led her to explore integrative physiological processes and holistic health.

    [00:05:53] – NCCIH Coalition for Whole Person Health: Dr. Langevin explains the purpose of the new coalition, aiming to unify various integrative health stakeholders and promote whole-person health approaches across the healthcare system.

    [00:09:27] – Challenges of Studying Integrative Approaches: Dr. Langevin highlights the complexities of researching whole-person health interventions and the NIH's ongoing efforts to develop new methods for studying multifaceted health approaches.

    [00:18:52] – Fascia and Health: Dr. Langevin discusses her research on fascia, explaining its role in the body and its connection to movement, flexibility, and pain perception, as well as how integrative therapies like acupuncture may interact with fascia.



    Catch full episodes of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern/podcasts 📺

    Listen to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-health-with-dr-melinda-ring/id1769262080 or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

    —

    Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern?sub_confirmation=1

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    Follow the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University here:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmoshercenter/

    Website: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/ocih/index.html

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    31 mins
  • The Foundation of Health with Dr. Jeffrey Bland

    The Foundation of Health with Dr. Jeffrey Bland
    Oct 14 2024

    In this episode, Dr. Melinda Ring talks with Dr. Jeffrey Bland, who is known as the founder of the Functional Medicine movement and who is recognized for bringing personal lifestyle medicine into mainstream medical practice. Dr. Bland discusses his career path that led him to create functional medicine and explores its intersection with integrative medicine, the origins and philosophy of Functional Medicine and how everyone can take an active role in their health, practicing good habits, and understanding their unique body functions to achieve long-term wellness.

    [00:01:43] The Shift from Chemistry and Environmental Science to Healthcare: Bland's career path to developing functional medicine as a field was not linear. He started his journey as a professor of chemistry and environmental science, and his passion for understanding the root causes of chronic disease led him to found the Institute for Functional Medicine and pursue functional medicine​. He discusses the influence of Linus Pauling, the catalytic sabbatical at the Linus Pauling Institute, and his decision to start training doctors in medical nutrition.

    [00:07:23] Defining Functional Medicine: He explains that the core of functional medicine focuses on identifying root causes of chronic diseases and looking at the body as an interconnected system rather than isolated organs. He also discusses the importance of personalizing care based on systems biology​.

    [00:17:20] Seven Core Physiological Processes – Bland discusses the seven fundamental physiological processes that functional medicine focuses on, including gut health, metabolic detoxification, mitochondrial bioenergetics, and immune system function. These processes aim to improve health resilience and prevent chronic diseases​.

    [00:35:29] Owning Your Health: Bland shares his personal wisdom about health ownership, encouraging listeners to actively engage in their health journey through understanding their body’s functions and making proactive lifestyle choices. He emphasizes health as a practice​​

    Catch full episodes of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern/podcasts 📺

    Listen to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-health-with-dr-melinda-ring/id1769262080 or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

    —

    Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern?sub_confirmation=1

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    Follow the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University here:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmoshercenter/

    Website: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/ocih/index.html

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    38 mins
  • Our Own Healing Power with Dr. Andrew Weil

    Our Own Healing Power with Dr. Andrew Weil
    Sep 30 2024

    In this episode, Dr. Melinda Ring talks with Dr. Andrew Weil, who is known as the "Father of Integrative Medicine." They discuss the evolution of the field, the benefits of botanical remedies and the importance of holistic approaches to health. They also dive into the potential of cannabis and psychedelics in therapy, the need for better nutrition education in medical schools, and the benefits of a more holistic approach to health.

    [00:02:10] Dr. Weil talks about his early love for plants and medicinal botany: Dr. Weil shares the story of how his interest in plants, inherited from his mother and grandmother, led him to pursue a career in botany and integrative medicine. He credits his Harvard mentor, Richard Evans Schultes, for sparking his passion for medicinal plants and their superior qualities over isolated chemical compounds.

    [00:05:48] Integrative medicine recognizes the complexity of the human body: Weil talks about the reductionist approaches of conventional medicine. Weil says whole-person approaches, including botanical remedies, often produce better, safer outcomes compared to pharmaceutical interventions.

    [00:10:00] Importance of Diet, the anti-inflammatory pyramid, and avoiding processed foods: Drs Ring and Weil dive into the topic of nutrition, with Dr. Weil describing the origins of his anti-inflammatory diet. He advises avoiding refined, processed, and manufactured foods, as they contribute to inflammation and chronic disease. The importance of returning to whole, natural foods is highlighted as a foundation of health.

    [00:24:35] Healthy aging, cannabis, psychedelics, and the future of integrative medicine: Dr. Weil discusses his work on healthy aging and his forward-thinking research on cannabis and psychedelics. He believes these substances hold great therapeutic potential, not only for psychiatric conditions but also for treating chronic diseases. Dr. Weil sees a bright future for integrative medicine as more research and public interest develop.



    Catch full episodes of Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring here on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern/podcasts 📺

    Listen to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-level-health-with-dr-melinda-ring/id1769262080 or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

    —

    Subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern?sub_confirmation=1

    —

    Follow the Osher Center for Integrative Health at Northwestern University here:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmoshercenter/

    Website: https://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/sites/ocih/index.html

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    39 mins
  • Welcome to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring

    Welcome to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring
    Sep 18 2024

    Welcome to Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring, a new podcast that brings together leaders in integrative medicine, functional medicine, and lifestyle medicine to talk about holistic approaches to health that blend modern science with time-tested wisdom.

    Dr. Ring is the director of the Osher Center for Integrative Health and the Tina Trott Professor of Integrative Health at Northwestern University. For more than 20 years Dr. Ring has partnered with patients to incorporate holistic health practices into their daily routines and help them find actionable ways to optimize their health.

    Please leave a comment on our YouTube channel or in a review on Apple Podcasts, and follow Next Level Health with Dr. Melinda Ring, to become a part of a community dedicated to living healthier and happier lives.

    Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OCIHNorthwestern

    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nmoshercenter/
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    1 min