For most of human history, physicians treated the patient as a whole person. Recently traditional medicine has categorized a person to a collection of “systems” in an attempt to target treatments to these individual systems, such as pulmonary, cardiovascular or neurologic systems. Because of this focus on “systems” health, people sometimes get categorized and even defined by their illnesses. Instead of “John” or “Sally”, someone may be referred to as “diabetic hypertensive COPD Patient #123”.
With this systems-based approach has come increasing emphasis on use of pharmaceutical medications, often accompanied by a decreased focus on environmental factors, nutrition, and overall lifestyle habits.
Osteopathic physicians are taught to approach medicine through the lens of the patient as a whole. This osteopathic approach involves more than descriptions and prescriptions.
Comprehensive osteopathic care involves really seeing you for who you are, listening to thoughts, emotions, spiritual and lifestyle practices, observing all body systems to assess relevant connections and interactions, and incorporating traditional medicine as well as additional supportive approaches to guide you to your best health.
During your comprehensive care visit, I will do a thorough review and evaluation of your symptoms and concerns, and with your help develop a plan. This plan might include testing, assessment of hormone and organ health, stress reduction strategies, diet and lifestyle changes, and evaluation of the impact of thoughts and emotions on chronic health issues. If needed, prescription medication may be used, but I emphasize comprehensive lifestyle and osteopathic approaches.
Before your visit, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, which will help me understand and target your evaluation and treatment plan.
If you are interested in more information or would like to schedule a future appointment with Dr. Koski, please contact our office.
FAQs
What is a comprehensive health consultation?
My goal is to provide care of YOU, not just a collection of systems. I use a variety of techniques to arrive at an individualized plan for health.
This means that I consider the role of nutrition, lifestyle, stress, and other environmental factors. Prior to your visit, you will be asked to provide extensive and detailed information, so we do a comprehensive review of your history and what may be contributing to your current health. There will be a variety of testing options that we can use, dependent on the individualized plan we develop.
What kinds of recommendations might you make?
All treatment plans are individualized, so the recommendations for you will be unlike those for any other patient that I see. Recommendations may include dietary and lifestyle changes, nutritional support when appropriate, and other therapies such as osteopathic treatment or bodywork when beneficial.
What conditions do you treat?
I am trained in traditional, osteopathic and lifestyle medicine and have successfully treated many conditions including hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, chronic fatigue, women’s and men’s health, chronic pain, digestive issues, mental health conditions, migraine headaches, menopausal symptoms, and thyroid disease. I am happy to offer my opinion about whether holistic strategies might be helpful for any problem or concern you may have.
What conditions do you not treat?
I do not do disability determination examinations or prepare reports for Social Security or other disability insurers.
Are tests covered by insurance?
Occasionally. Some of the testing may not be covered by insurance. Often cash-based fees are lower, based on our access to wholesale pricing. We will do our best to let you know the exact cost of a test before it is run.