Acupuncture in Coconut Creek, FL, Acupuncturist of the Month, Jonathan Fields, DAOM

Dr. Jonathan M. Fields, DAOM is an internationally renowned integrative medicine practitioner, martial & visual artist, author and public speaker. He runs a successful clinic in South Florida where he specializes in: acupuncture, functional medicine, herbs, PRP, stem cells and IV therapy. He holds a Doctorate & Masters of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, a Bachelors in Health Sciences, and is a licensed primary care provider in the state of Florida. Additionally, he holds certifications in injection and IV therapy, functional, regenerative, and anti-aging medicine.

Welcome, Jonathan Fields, DAOM! Thank you for joining us for Acupuncturist of the Month!

So, how long have you been practicing acupuncture for, and what are your specialties?

I first started studying TCM and acupuncture in 2004 and I currently specialize in orthopedic acupuncture, digestive and women’s health.

What inspired you to become an acupuncturist?  

My Qi Gong master of 17+ years is an acupuncturist who would always treat my martial arts related injuries successfully. He was my initial inspiration. After suffering a severe illness myself and getting no help from conventional medicine. I decided to pursue the field full time after being completely healed using functional medicine, acupuncture and chiropractic.

You recently published an article last year in the National Institutes of Health – that’s exciting! Tell us about what brought you to publish this article.

I was extremely upset about an article that was published in the Lancet trashing Chinese herbal medicine. It was extremely biased and completely irrational. I felt a scientific based response was necessary.

In your research for “Dangers of Scientific Bias Against Herbal Drugs for Coronavirus Disease 2019”, did you find that the risks outlined in the original article were accurate regarding the herbal products?

Not even remotely. They actually didn’t even dispute the safety of the product in question. Instead, they tried to dig up dirt about an old case from 30 years ago where 8 people where injured and all survived. The entire premise was just a propaganda hit piece to discredit alternative treatments.

What were the herbal drugs reviewed in your article, and what discrepancies did you find from the original article to yours?

The original article claimed herbs in general were dangerous, cited some weak examples that proved nothing, and were blown way out of proportion. It also cited herbs that had nothing to do with the drugs in question. I simply elaborated that herbs have a much higher safety profile than pharmaceutical products and over the counter drugs. I also included actual facts and figures, rather than scare tactics without data. You can read the full article at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7498439/

How can the herbal formulas discussed in your article help a patient with COVID-19?

 According to the research, they may help reduce cold/flu symptoms with mild or moderate cases that are being treated at home or in conjunction with conventional medicine.

On your journey to become an acupuncturist, what obstacles did you face and how did you overcome them?

I think the same as many people. It’s a huge commitment of time and finances to go back to school for a masters and then a doctorate. Sometimes, you just have to go all in. It was well worth the investment, but I’m sure I’ll be paying my loans for quite a while.

Share a recent success story you had with a patient.  What acupuncture points, herbs, or other interventions (meditation, yoga, nutrition, etc) did you use to help them achieve results?

Recently had a 41 year old female patient with severe Crohn’s disease that I was able to completely turn around. Case details are below.

Chief Complaints: Crohn’s, IBD, vomiting daily, abdominal pain, fatigue, joint pain, headaches, nausea, dizzy. Losing weight fast and vomiting multiple times per day for last 3 weeks. Bowel movements 4-5 times per day, can be constipated or diarrhea. On multiple medications via Infusions, was on prednisone but stopped. Has been on meds for over 2 years with zero relief. No improvement at all regardless of the medications she has been on.
SUPPLEMENTS she was already on: B12 & Vit D3 from large retailer

CYCLE: Every 28 days, last 5 days, VERY PAINFUL, cramps, little clots, very red, Crohn’s gets worse, heavy bleeding.

Many ulcers in mouth.Temperature: Patient is feeling cold whole body.
Gets chills when has abdominal main. Sweat: Symptoms: night sweat is mild. Head: Frontal headaches. Feels better with pressure. Stool: Sometimes blood in stool, RED Alternates Constipation to Diarrhea 4-5 BM per day. Thirst: Patient’s thirst: low thirst. Doesn’t drink much. When drinks water feels full and gets Nausea and then doesn’t get hungry. Appetite: Patient’s appetite: desireless. Pain experienced: pain scale is 9/10, after eating and worse after eating. Feels better after vomiting. Gi: Patient experiences belching and bloating. Nausea: nausea is worse after meals and before meals. Reflux probably just from vomiting. Sleep: Pain wakes her up so doesnt sleep well at night. Lifestyle: Diet is moderate. Psychoemotional:
Stressed over health issues Energy Level: energy level is 3/10.

TONGUE:
Medium thick coat sl yellow but had oats drink and egg sandwich this morning.Purple specks in front of tongue, pale, RED body sublingual and small blisters on tongue.
RX: Ginger Tea (NO SUGAR) 2 cups per day min + NO DAIRY & NO SUGAR + Glutamine powder 1×3 + Colon Probiotic 1 at bed time.

POINTS:
CV-6, ST-25 [Bi], CV-12, ST-34 [L], SP-9 [R], ST-40 [L], SP-6 [R], ST-44 [L], LV-2 [R], GV-20 , LI-11 [R], PC-6 [L] + TDP on abdomen.
RESULTS from 3rd visit, 6 weeks later – 80% LESS VOMITING, 50% LESS ABDOMINAL PAIN, NO MORE DIARRHEA 50% better. 2-3x BM down from 4-6 per day. NO ULCERS IN MOUTH. SLEEPING BETTER. NO NIGHTSWEATS. Some Nausea still. Energy much better. NO HEADACHES & NO DIZZINESS, Still has some joint pain in hands. Was able to eat this week and digest food better. Not seeing undigested food anymore, used to come out in BM.

What is your role with the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies?

I’m the South East regional director of the American Institute of Mental Health in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is a subset group of the WFCMS. I had a case study published in their journal as well.

What makes you feel inspired about acupuncture?

 The patients and the results. The changes we see and the improvements we make in people’s lives is nothing short of incredible. That keeps me going everyday.

Looking back, what advice would you have given to the younger version of yourself, who was just getting started in this profession?

Probably would have gotten a business coach sooner and hired a front desk admin much sooner.

What keeps an acupuncture practice going?

This is a loaded question. A LOT. Most importantly is respect for the patients and always giving them 100%. Obviously results matter as well, marketing, referrals, good business practices etc. This could be a whole separate interview.

What are specific roadblocks to watch out for as a new acupuncturist?

Not trusting the potential of this medicine. We have a long history of success. The roadmap is already there…

We have all occasionally had a patient come into our practice who is upset, frustrated, and a little angry. Maybe it’s from work, being stuck in traffic, or life in general – we have all been there! What advice would you give to fellow acupuncture students and/or colleagues on how to deal with situations like these?

Smile and flatter them with kindness. That will usually diffuse any situation immediately. If they are disrespectful or abusive, address it immediately in a professional manner.

What are your favorite acupuncture points, and why?

Du 20 + Cv 17. The effects are profound and can be used for so many different issues.

Tell us about some herbal formulas and foods you find yourself consistently recommending to your patients, friends, and colleagues.  What makes these herbs/foods so helpful?

Depending on constitution, I recommend a lot of homemade teas with ingredients like: ginger, mint, citrus peels and cinnamon sticks. They work, ingredients are cheap and easily accessible. So compliance is usually pretty good.

Sometimes, the best resource for improving our skills is by learning from the other acupuncturists we meet along our professional journey.  What is one thing you learned from a fellow acupuncturist or holistic practitioner that has helped you in your professional growth, or in your care for patients?

Always be your authentic self and treat your patients like family.

The COVID-19 pandemic has without a doubt had a significant impact on the acupuncture practice community and small businesses alike. How have you been handling the COVID-19 situation as an acupuncture practice owner and individual?  What advice or wisdom would you like to share with other acupuncturists who are also navigating through these precarious times?

We have been pretty lucky in Florida. I voluntarily shut down for 5 weeks and have been open ever since. We’ve added some equipment and safety protocols like; air filters, masks, additional disinfecting etc. Best advice I can offer is to keep your head up and try to stay positive.

Do you have any daily habits or rituals that keep you at your “best-self”, both as an acupuncture practitioner and person?

Yes, Qi Gong, a healthy diet and lots of smiles.

The kindest thing a patient said to you recently:

 “God sent me to you to help me.”

The funniest thing a patient said to you recently:

 “I don’t believe in acupuncture”. I assured them, it exists.

As an acupuncturist, what are you most proud of thus far in your professional journey?

 All the incredible success stories from the people we’ve helped who previously thought there was no hope for improvement.

If you could have a billboard with anything on it, what would it be and why? 

Just letting people know we have a long history of PROVEN RESULTS with this medicine.

What is your definition of success?

Happiness and being content. My patients are happy and my bills are paid. Doesn’t get too much better.

If you could have one superpower what would it be and why?  

I’d probably go back in time and fight evil.

Rapid fire questions!

Morning or night? Night
Tea or coffee? Tea
Sun or moon? Sun
Cupping or Tui na? Both!
Yin or Yang? Can they be separate?
Meditation or exercise? Both
Instagram or Facebook? FB

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Learn more about Jonathan Fields, DAOM, by visiting his website, https://integrativemedicine.us/