Diagnostic Consultations
Diagnostic Consultations
When seeking medical care, conventional healthcare providers such as Doctors, General Practitioners (GPs), and Medical Specialists primarily focus on identifying or ruling out pathology—the underlying disease processes. While serious pathology is relatively uncommon for many of us, the symptoms we experience often have underlying causes.
At our practice, we offer a unique approach through our Diagnostic Consultant in Complementary Medicine, Mr. Gerry Gajadharsingh DO, who brings over 37 years of clinical experience to his role. Mr. Gajadharsingh’s primary objective is to thoroughly assess each patient’s condition. He begins by ensuring there are no evident pathological issues that require immediate medical attention, in which case a referral to a medical specialist may be more suitable. Following this, he delves deeper into exploring the functional components that may contribute to the patient’s specific health concerns.
By taking this comprehensive approach, Mr. Gajadharsingh aims to uncover underlying factors that conventional medical assessments may overlook. This allows for a more holistic understanding of the patient’s health and enables tailored recommendations for addressing their individual needs.
The Diagnostic Consultation uses complementary and conventional medical approaches to assess your health and consider you as a whole – body and mind.
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The Complex Patient An Integrated Approach
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Reoccurring chest infections were putting a real damper on my training, with over six infections in one year that usually lasted 2 to 3 weeks; with one bout lasting two months during some of my busiest cycling events. Conventional medical routes had me on antibiotics, steroid inhalers and rest; this was not a prescription that fitted in with the demands of my sport.
As a sponsored athlete training for the UCI World Masters, the added pressure of delivering results was always in the back of my mind. I was conscious of every day missed in training, during the 6 months of peak training; clocking up to 800 miles of intense sessions on the bike was fairly normal. This, on top of a physical day job, placed a huge stress on my body and consuming enough calories always seemed to be a large chore. Advice from my previous coach was to take on both a post training protein recovery drink and a nighttime protein drink, along with a supplement of iron and colostrum.
With a trust in the integrated medicine practiced at The Health Equation and safe in the knowledge that, as an elite sportsman himself, Gerry Gajadharsingh would offer a solution that would fit in with my goals for the season. After an in-depth consultation on both training goals, health issues and a review of my food diary, Gerry offered a number of options including some laboratory investigations.
As an athlete, keeping control of the factors affecting training and performance are paramount and form part of a strict training regime, where marginal differences make a huge impact on results. Being able to discuss the tests and options for change were a liberating approach from the usual prescriptive GP advise and limited physiological knowledge on the coaching front; where advice generally follows current trends in sports nutrition, and at my level of competition are not based on sound evidence.
Blood samples and Capnometry (breathing evaluation, ETCO2, breathing rate and Heart Rate Variability) were completed in the clinic with a comprehensive adrenal stress saliva test (cortisol and DHEA hormones) and an optional stool test done at home. The results offered a platform from which to make changes with sound physiological decisions underpinning the reason for change. From my point of view, this suited my desire to understand the physiological impact of the changes being made and how they would fit into my regimented daily routine.
The keys changes made, which had the most impact on my sports performance, were a change in breathing patterns. When tested by ET, CO2 levels were quite low, the knock on effect of how oxygen is taken up in the muscles was fairly significant. Easy to follow breathing exercises brought my CO2 levels back to normal, thus increasing O2 utilisation, and I was able to extend my maximal effort outputs for longer.
Changing from a grazing style eating pattern allowed me to consume more food, much to the entertainment of my male teammates who I currently eat under the table. My energy levels have doubled and my regular “hitting the wall” or “feeling the knock” on the bike have abated to the point where I can do my easy 3-hour rides just on water, and my legs don’t suddenly give up on me.
I have not had a protein recovery drink for a year and have no noticeable decrease in recovery times, and my kidneys are thankful for not having to breakdown excess protein. The quality of carbohydrates and variety of protein, recommended by Gerry, have ensured my recovery times have improved and energy levels have a more consistent output.
All I was hoping for from my consultation with Gerry was to avoid regular chest infections, which I have not had since my consultation and have not missed a single day of training. What I wasn’t expecting to have was; increased energy levels, a more balance eating routine, which fitted so easily into my training regime; and lest of all, an in-depth understanding of the physiological impact my poor habits were having on my internal organs, especially those responsible for energy production in the body.
My year ended on a high with two cups from the World Masters and a new sponsor for 2011.Peta McSharry is a sponsored masters cyclist, updates are available on her blog http://racingwoman.wordpress.com
Diagnostic Consultations
New patients have the option to schedule either a New Patient Consultation lasting 45 minutes or a Diagnostic Consultation lasting 60 minutes with Gerry, our experienced practitioner. The choice between the two depends on whether they believe their condition is a straightforward musculoskeletal (MSK) issue or a more intricate clinical problem, which may encompass non-MSK concerns. It’s important to note that a significant portion of Gerry’s patients have previously consulted various clinicians, often presenting with complex clinical issues.
During the initial consultation, the time available for treatment may vary based on the complexity of the patient’s situation. For those with simpler clinical problems, follow-up treatment with Gerry will be offered. However, for individuals with more complex clinical issues, several treatment pathways are available. These options may include treatment with Gerry, referral to other medical specialists, or a combination of both. We consider factors such as patient preferences, budget constraints, and the level of care required to effectively address the problem.
Diagnostic Consultations
Why diagnostic investigations are important
Any diagnostic test is only as good as the clinician requesting it.
Results are dependent on the interpretation in relation to the patients’ history and clinical examination. Frequently, patients request laboratory testing, such as for food intolerance. This is something that is offered at The Health Equation, but before such testing, it is important that patients attend a consultation, where a thorough case history and clinical examination will be conducted to make sure the test is clinically appropriate.
Diagnostic Consultations
Why do diagnostic tests?
Tests help with the diagnostic process to eliminate the presence of suspected disease processes or to help with the patients’ management / treatment strategy. Clinical testing can be expensive, but the results interpreted by an experienced clinician can accelerate the healing process.
Gerry is an excellent opinion as a complementary medical practitioner and my patients speak very highly of his service. He achieves results in those with very complex and challenging symptoms.
Gerry’s approach, to connect the physical and emotional self, was extraordinarily powerful. He helped me appreciate that change would require patience and commitment. But his skill was the catalyst. At every step, I had clarity on the what and the why. And I trusted Gerry implicitly with the how. Years later, the experience remains profound, and the impact lifelong.
Gerry embodies what science tells us about the very best clinicians…he is professional, he is empathetic, he is patient, he is experienced, he is knowledgeable and up to date, he is conscientious and persistent, he takes your input seriously and works with you…he is forthright and honest
He holds my highest recommendation for the very best practice that you can completely trust and know you have seen the very best.
My family and I have been patients of Mr. Gajadharsingh for 20+ years. He has outstanding diagnostic abilities, and successfully integrates conventional approaches and knowledge with a holistic osteopathic philosophy. His ability to see beyond the obvious physical symptoms, his knowledge of complementary issues such as nutrition and breathing; and their impact on the body, his up to date medical knowledge, as well as his ability to think laterally, make him a sensitive, responsive and extremely effective practitioner. I know that when I leave his consulting room, I will feel far better than when I entered it, and that his treatments will provide lasting benefits. His high level of medical care is an essential part of our health maintenance.
I have been a patient of Gerry’s for several years for a variety of health issues. On each occasion I have been impressed with his thorough grasp and holistic understanding of the particular issue I am describing. He has an amazing ability to get to the cause of any problem together with an in depth knowledge of strategies, both complementary and conventional to tackle these. The results have been staggering. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Gerry to anyone wishing to get to the heart of any health issue they may have.