Our medical issue produced a rash of reader responses on the wisdom of combining conventional and alternative medicine, the hope of diet cures, the disappointment of certain doctor behaviors, and the promise of good talk therapy.
An Alternative Clinic
I was delighted to read Lisa Prevost's article on alternative medicine ("Sticking His Neck Out," December 16). Fifteen years ago, I started treatment with a chiropractor who uses kinesiology. In four months, she cured me of a lifetime of chronic sinus infections. Another chiropractor treats me approximately three times a year for a sluggish lymphatic system. When I leave her office, I feel as if I could fly! I also use acupuncture and therapeutic massage.
When I contacted my legislator to ask how the new mandated medical insurance would serve those who rarely visit allopathic doctors, he conceded it was a good question. Why should I buy expensive health insurance for a type of medical care I never use? Why doesn't the mandated insurance cover at least some of the type of medical care I do use?
Carolyn Barnes
Centerville
I've been getting acupuncture for 15 years or so, originally for something specific and now as a monthly preventive ritual. I pay out of pocket for the acupuncture because it is deeply reassuring to have an ongoing relationship with a health practitioner who knows all the details and nuances of my life - home, work, family, mental, physical, aspirational. I hope Dr. Donald Levy's Robin Hood metaphor works out so that the integrative clinic's insights can ripple far and wide.
Will McMillan
Arlington
I applaud Dr. David Eisenberg's years of research and work to bring forth integrated medicine in the Boston area. The only addition I hope to see in an innovative clinic like his is emotional support for patients. Patients who are ill suffer not only physical but also psychological pain. Someday, Dr. Eisenberg, please consider sticking your neck out a little bit further and adding psychotherapists to the mix of healing therapies.
Betsy Tyson-Smith
Executive director and cofounder, Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Inc.
Harvard
Your Diet, Your Health
I had suffered with acne a long time before I figured out in my late 30s that dairy was the culprit. Now I occasionally conduct a trial in which I reintroduce dairy, only to prove myself right again. I hope this article ("A Clear Connection?" December 16) will help many patients in their search for a solution to acne problems, since an elimination diet does not harm, and potent drugs do.
Ania Bernas
Cambridge
After years of incapacitating pain during my monthly menses, I discovered complete relief merely upon incorporating calcium supplements into my diet. It is really no surprise that the medical establishment doesn't more thoughtfully and carefully investigate the relationship between diet and disease: There's no profit in it, nor would the general public likely accept the prescription.
Patricia Ann Mabrouk
Boston
Medical Peeves
As a practicing physician, I read with anticipation and interest Miss Conduct's article about medical interrelations ("It Makes You Sick!" December 16). I would like to explain why first names have, unfortunately, become more prevalent in doctor's offices, including mine. When the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act's regulations instructing physicians about a long list of new privacy regulations came into effect, one of the "strong suggestions" was to not use a patient's last name in the office, especially in earshot of other patients or staff. Why? Because people are supposed to be afforded anonymity when they go to the doctor. It falls under the same regulations as having charts facing the wall when they are in holders on the doors of exam rooms, so that people walking by cannot see other patients' names. Is it silly? I sure think so, as do many of my colleagues. I also miss the slight touch of formality and respect that I feel my patients deserve and receive by using their titles and last names in addressing them.
David Alper
Belmont
I always try to call patients out of the waiting room by their first names only. Then I matter-of-factly say, "We call people by first names now for better confidentiality." After that, I can switch to their formal names.
Joseph Rampulla
Groveland
My personal peeve is waiting. There are many other personal service businesses (yes, a doctor's office is a multimillion-dollar business) where the clients' time is respected. Doctors seem to assess their time as having infinite value and their patients' time as having none. It is normal for two minutes of face time with the doctor to take more than an hour of the patient's time. Even though I've been to appointments where, upon arrival, I was told the doctor was running more than an hour late, I've never received a courtesy call to let me adjust my schedule. I've billed three doctors for my waiting time and have had the balance of bills forgiven. I encourage my friends to do the same.
No matter how they are trained, doctors are not a higher-level being than the rest of us humans. If they respected our time as they do their own, they'd run more efficient and patient-friendly offices.
Steve Watson
Lynnfield
Shrinks Wrap-Up
I am a psychologist and well aware there are some bad shrinks out there ("Coupling," December 16). However, there are also plenty of good ones. I hope that author C.W. Wolff's previous experiences won't keep her from considering therapy again or recommending it to others. When practiced by someone bright and skilled, psychotherapy can help.
Juliana Reiss
Lee
There is nothing funny about childhood mental illness. Though it does help to keep a sense of humor when it comes to some therapists - such as the woman who, unbeknownst to me, took my teenage daughter on a neighborhood search for her missing pooch, all the while trying to counsel my daughter in between frantically calling out the car windows for the dog. Or the gentleman who retrieved me from the waiting room to have me ask my son his question and then when my son answered, turned to me and asked, "What does he mean by that?" Or the next therapist, who, being 45 minutes late for my son's appointment, spent the next 15 minutes describing the horrible day she was having. As we continue on our journey toward "better" mental health, we are very hopeful for next Tuesday at 3 p.m.
Karen Brackett
Groton
Mystery Materials
As a former dry-cleaning clerk, I was saddened to read the advice that "in the name of aesthetic snobbery" external material tags should be removed from garments ("Miss Conduct," December 16). If you remove the tag, please let your dry cleaner know your garment's material so he or she can treat it correctly. Only those of us who have been working as clerks for years can tell garment fabrics by how they feel.
Danielle Digiovanni
Brighton
