Office Hours By Appointment
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Integrative Medicine
THE PRACTICE
My
medical practice has evolved over many years, and as clearly stated in
the Informed Consent Form, I combine a wide variety of healing disciplines
as dictated by your medical needs. My goal is to help you feel well again
if you have been ill or assist in optimizing your longevity, even if you
are feeling well, but are noticing the inevitable changes that occur with
aging. After a detailed whole person oriented medical history and physical
exam, I utilize a full array of laboratory testing to determine what kinds
of imbalances you might have, and then design a healing or longevity program
with you. The laboratory testing can involve blood, saliva and urine testing,
as well as digestive analysis and genetic predisposition testing. Treatment
can involve foods, herbs and other nutritional therapies, medications,
a full spectrum of bio-identical hormone therapies, toxin identification
and removal, optimizing your body’s immune system and detoxifying
capacity, and helping you balance your body and your mind. As an internist
and an anti-aging physician, I deal with common medical problems as well
as more complex ones. Symptoms involving digestion, metabolism, cardiovascular
health, allergies, lack of vitality, moodiness, cognitive changes, insomnia,
menopause, sexual health, thyroid imbalances, adrenal dysfunction and
weight gain are the type of problems I most commonly see. Wide varieties
of changes are associated with the various “pauses” of aging,
and I greatly enjoy helping others diminish and postpone those symptoms.
I emphasize prevention and aim to employ a restorative model to help you
optimize your vitality, longevity and quality of life.
WEIGHT REDUCTION
Over the last few years, I have investigated
weight loss issues as the obesity epidemic has grown so quickly. I am
extremely happy about a Weight Reduction
Program I have formulated utilizing Dr. Simeon’s approach using
HCG, with the addition of a mind-body component. This program has had
an enormous impact on the health of many of my patients and has been very
fulfilling for me. See Pounds and Inches
Revisited.
MEDICAL
SUPPORT FOR THE SPIRITUAL PATH
Interestingly,
I have been somewhat uniquely positioned regarding assisting people on
the spiritual path. After experiencing my own spiritual awakening in 1986,
I frequently saw patients in NYC who were long time meditation practitioners
and/or healers. In the early 1990’s I attended an Energy Healing
School myself to further learn about energy healing modalities. I subsequently
lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico for five years practicing yoga and meditation
and pursuing a spiritual lifestyle and focus. After moving to Ojai and
re-opening my medical practice, I have continued to see many people who
are on their own spiritual journey.
There are remarkable things that happen
to people as they pursue spiritual disciplines, and I have found that
at different thresholds of personal change, stress can become enormous.
This can greatly influence one’s brain chemistry, hormonal balance,
general overall vitality, and can create an imbalance of perspective on
how to live a fulfilling human/spiritual life. I have witnessed and experienced
myself the changes that can be precipitated by a strong influx of spiritual
energies, be they from an inner kundalini experience or from strong energies
that originate outside the body. As vital, wondrous and enlightening as
spiritual awakenings can be, it can then be a great challenge to integrate
your awakening into your humanity and actualize your soul’s calling.
I greatly enjoy trying to assist others find balance while going through
or integrating these types of changes.
SUPPLEMENTS
It has been a long journey for me, originally
trained as a traditional physician, to sell nutritional supplements. After
many years of experimenting and acclimating I have come to the conclusion
that whether it is a medicine, supplement, hormone or educated advice,
if my suggestions help you feel better, I am rewarded.
I carry a small supply of supplements that
I deem important in the office. This enables immediate treatment in some
cases and is practical. For your convenience, I have set up an account
with the vitamin company Emerson Ecologics. They carry supplements from
most of the nutritional companies that I have come to trust over the years,
including Pure Encapsulations, Allergy Research Group, Designs for Health,
Douglas Labs and many others. They are a highly respected company with
excellent service, shipment usually arriving 24-48 hours after placing
an order. They just opened up a branch in Southern California after being
based only in New Hampshire for several decades.
To place an order, log onto my website www.kennethkafka.com
, and click on the Emerson Ecologics link. From there, sign up using my
access code, 646719. After becoming a member, you will be directed to
a “Virtual Pharmacy”, which has a host of supplements I commonly
suggest. However, you are not limited to that page. You can search the
site by brand name or supplement name, and have access to nearly eighty
thousand items, including Chinese herbal products. You will receive a
20% discount as a service from me to you. Try to place your order all
at once to save on shipping, which during this recession Emerson is limiting
to a $5 charge per order. Remember, while these supplements can be very
helpful to your overall wellbeing, the food you eat and the lifestyle
choices you make will have the greatest impact on your health and happiness.
I would like to say a final word about vitamins,
minerals and herbs. In my opinion, they can be very important. When ill
or run down they can be used to heal or renew. Sometimes high doses are
needed for a few months and after deficiencies are restored, they can
be tapered to a very manageable amount. As we mature, we do need higher
amounts of supplementation. However, it can get a little crazy making
as well as expensive. It is easy to get caught up in thinking your supplements
are the magic bullet. Occasionally they actually are, but nothing is more
potent than YOU are as a healing force for your body. Remember that. In
addition, always take a break, perhaps weekends or one day per week without
taking you supplements (unless of course your doctor tells you otherwise).
If you do that, you will appreciate taking them when you resume.
PRAGMATICS
An
initial comprehensive office visit can last up to two hours. This includes
taking a detailed medical history, a complete physical exam, and then
time for you and I to discuss what type of testing and approach will suit
you best. Follow up appointments usually last about 45 minutes, but this
can be quite variable.
I am not affiliated with any insurance program,
including Medicare. Payment is due at the time of services, and my office
will give you a bill for services provided that you can submit to your
insurance company. Most PPO insurance plans give partial reimbursement,
anywhere from 40-80%. There are no reimbursements from HMO’s or
Medicare. All testing fees are separate, and usually involve direct payment
to the laboratory or billing through your insurance company. For patients
without insurance, I have a relationship with a laboratory for a cash
price paid directly to the lab that is very patient friendly.
For questions or to make an appointment, please call the office, (805) 646-7195, and my staff will be delighted to help you.
