When you enter the spa-like Integrative Healing Center (IHC), in Port Washington, it feels nothing like your typical medical office. Smelling like essential oils, with natural health books lining the benches and fresh, purified alkaline water served in glass, not plastic, Natural Awakenings Long Island’s newest staff reporter, Catherine Driscoll, knew it would be special. And it is. Arriving armed with an already-completed 26-page health history and three-day diet diary, Driscoll is feeling almost excited about her first research assignment. “I really don’t even consider myself sick; I consider myself somewhat of a health nut. Well, there is the occasional IBS flares [monthly], eczema on my eyelids, heartburn and some heart palpitations. I am really very healthy,” Driscoll says with a laugh, as she sits in Kristine Blanche’s office.
Blanche is owner and operator of IHC and a certified physician’s assistant. Driscoll runs four times a week, prefers a predominantly plant-based diet, drinks green smoothies like they are going out of style (and, who knows, in a month they may be) and, in general, considers herself “healthy.” Blanche smiles, not a typical condescending medical practitioner smile but the smile of a friend, and immediately Driscoll knows this will not be typical at all, as page by page, Blanche reviews her medical health questionnaire, commends her for her healthy habits, and talks to her about toxins in her environment and food intolerance.
After the discussion, Blanche recommends some baseline testing, typical labs, an additional lab to test for a gene to see how effective she is at ridding her body of toxins, and a food tolerance, or food sensitivity, blood test. Perhaps, Blanche suggests, in Driscoll’s quest to be healthy, she is continually eating something that she has an intolerance to. Driscoll leaves that first appointment with some advice, some specific IBS support products, and some guidelines on incorporating the essential oils that are sitting in her cabinet waiting to be utilized. “I am hopeful as a patient and curious as a reporter,” remarks Driscoll.
Three weeks later, Driscoll admits to having a bit more energy and, to be honest, having “a bit less gas.” She finds herself excited to see the results of her labs and to see what else Blanche may recommend. “I hope it’s monthly massage,” Driscoll says with a chuckle. Again, on the second meeting, there is no rushed feeling. Blanche sits and discusses the blood test results one by one and what they all mean and how they are all connected. Discovering that Driscoll is low in both vitamin B and D can easily be addressed. The result of the gene testing indicates perhaps Driscoll has a harder time removing toxins than the average American but has felt well because of her dedication to nontoxic living. The food allergies were shocking. “I am intolerant to kale!” gasps Driscoll, as if you told her she was allergic to her own dog. Blanche assures her that after a six-week elimination diet, most often the items a patient is intolerant to can be added back on a rotation schedule into the patient’s diet.
Driscoll feels excited. As a person who considers herself healthy, prevention is the name of the game. “I saw through my genetic profile, the specific gene test and the other blood tests, the things that I can control to help prevent disease and feel well. I will be interested to see what the next six weeks of elimination bring and to share them with the readers of Natural Awakenings Long Island,” beams Driscoll, as she leaves Integrative Healing Center with a smile. “Maybe I won’t even need that massage.”
Location: 403 Main St., Ste. 1, Port Washington. For more information, call 516-676-0200 or visit IntegrativeHealthManhasset.com. See ad on page 45.
