academic accomplishments. When I thought about it I have a
health bio that is probably more interesting and reveals more
of who I am. Here goes --
I was born at the beginning of WWII. I was expected in december
but, perhaps because of Pearl Harbor, I decided to wait until January
by which time I had a full head of hair and weighed in at 10 pounds.
My mother never forgave me. I was born at about the same time
penicillin was developed. My grandmother had been an herbalist
as had been her own grandmother who traded goods and knowledge
with Native American Indians. My mother being a "modern" young
mother forgot about all the old stuff and we as her children were
the beneficiaries of the new "miracle drugs." One old practice I wish
she had forgotten was periodic enemas and a spring tonic of turpentine
in a spoonful of sugar. Well, I survived these and then confronted the
pandemic of polio in the 1950's. The spectre of iron lungs and being
entrapped in them for life was a nightmare to children everywhere. Then
along came Dr. Salk and his vaccine. I was a subject of a double-blind
study to test his vaccine. I felt like a very important 10 year old. fortunately
and by the good grace of God the vaccine worked and I and my friends
were saved from the curse of polio. I idolized Dr. Salk.
Life was good. I graduated high school, college and joined the Navy in 1962.
I was rejected because of flat feet - "pes planus - third degree." I was well
into my career in textbook publishing for John C. Wiley & Sons, N.Y.,N.Y. when
in 1967 I received a draft notice. This was the height of the Vietnam war and
bodies were needed. U.S. Army and Ft. Bliss, Texas, here I come. I did in fact
have foot problems that proceeded to infection on 15-mile night marches. I was
prescribed anti-biotics and once again was blessed by the miracle drugs. I was
given a medical discharge by doctor and Lt. Colonel Skipworth. I was spared
physical and mental injury or even death in that war of choice.
I returned to publishing and developed an array of stress-related ailments --
anxiety, back problems,digestive and sleep dysfunctions. I was prescribed drugs
for each ailment and gleefully took my Valium. I took a sabbatical in 1972 and
went to Europe visiting 22 countries over the period of a year. In the first few
months I traveled the Mediterranean countries. A strange thing happened --my
irritable bowel syndrome -IBS- disappeared. It was the Mediterranean diet I was
following, of course. When I returned to the States I had another medical issue
and went to a wonderful medical doctor who put me on an elimination diet. No
expensive tests. 3 days no eggs, 3 days no chocolate, 3 days no wheat and bingo!
my complaints of post-nasal drip vanished.
By 1976 I had moved to Utah. I went to the University of Utah and worked part-time
at a hospital where I contracted hepatitis A -infectious hepatitis. I told my doctor
my symptoms over the phone. He said go look at the whites of your eyes in the
mirror. I did. They were yellow. When I saw him for his next appointment I asked
"What can you give me for it.?" He said: "Nothing." Nothing? Never in my lifetime
had I been given that answer. It struck terror in my heart. The regimen was rest,
good food, no alcohol. Recovery would take 6 weeks and if I didn't follow this
strictly the disease could even lead to death. I don't remember but must have heard
a voice within say 'you're on your own, Baby.' At this time I stumbled on an arcane
book -The Mucusless Diet written by someone I would have considered a 'health-nut'
that is, had I not been facing the prospect of long term illness or even death. Suffice it
to say that with the visit of my older sister, the blessing of Mormon priests and the
support of friends I was well and back at work in 2 weeks.
This was probably the most important lesson of my life --I was responsible for my health.
Not the doctor, not a pill, not a miracle drug.
I gave up tobacco at that time and started to choose better foods.
I moved from Utah to California in 1978 with my Master's in Education. Teaching jobs
were not plentiful at this time. I worked at a holistic health clinic and took more classes at Foothill College in the heart of Silicon Valley when it was booming. I started chiropractic college in Palo Alto which later merged with Palmer West. After one year I transferred to
Palmer East -The "Fountainhead" at Davenport, Iowa, where I graduated in 1982. Back to California for State Board Exams. I was licensed in 1983.
I started practice in San Francisco and moved to Fair Oaks, CA. In 1985 I bought a
practice in Rocklin where I have remained through the present, 2010. My webpage
rocklinchiro.com gives more info on our work with SF 49ers,etc. Back to my health
history. In 1992 after years of dealing with high blood lipids (cholesterol) I decided to
undertake an experiment --I would refrain from chicken, pork, and beef for several months to lower these lipids. After 6 months I had lab work done and my cholesterol hadn't reduced. While I was disappointed I decided to remain "almost vegetarian" (I still eat
fish and seafood). I have become more concerned about the whole meat industry and
gently discourage friends,family and patients from eating meat--with no converts yet.
I continued to take a statin -Lipitor and a daily baby aspirin for 18 years.
In 2010 I was