Questions and Answers with Dr. Randy Martin, OMD on the most common Women’s Health Issues
Q. Why do you specialize in treating women’s health issues?
A. I noticed in my first few years of practice, back in 1983, all my patients were women. I quickly learned to treat the most common women’s problems. And then I ended up writing my doctoral dissertation paper on the treatment of PMS using alternative methods. Since then I’ve assisted in births, helped couples get pregnant, and assisted many woman with hormonal imbalances and in dissolving cysts and fibroids.
Q. What are some of the more common female health problems that you treat?
A. PMS, Menopause, Hot Flashes, Fibroids, Cysts, Infertility, Birthing Assistance, Eating Disorders, Postpartum Depression, PCOS, Acne, Sugar Cravings
Q. How do you feel about intermingling and working wth Western doctors or the women’s gynecologist at the same time you are treating the woman?
A. It’s very important to combine Western and Complementary medicine. Western medicine offers the best in diagnosis and when needed, it provides medications and surgery. Complementary medicine offers preventive treatment, as well as aggressive treatment using herbs, acupuncture, homeopathy and nutrition. The two forms of medicine work very well together. They are complementary.
Q. What is your attitude towards the use of surgery for women with ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids?
A. Surgery is sometimes needed. We can work together along with your MD to determine your best approach.
Q. Why should a woman consider complementary methods rather than just using Western medications?
A. I don’t really see a need to chose between Western and complementary modalities. There is a time and place for both. Western is great for it’s diagnostic tools, and also when surgery or pharmaceutical meditations are needed. Acupuncture, herbs, and homeopathy are good for prevention and to use prior to the use of drugs and surgery.
A. Do you have a success rate or have you documented whether what you do is actually effective?
Q. I have been practicing complementary medicine for over 30 years and have many return patients who love these methods. Most don’t need any other form of medicine because this is so effective. As they say: “The proof is in the pudding.” I also have many testimonials on my website of patients stating how well acupuncture, homeopathy and herbs work.
Q. What if a woman is afraid of needles or doesn’t like pain; and they are convinced that acupuncture needles cause pain?
A. Most people who have a fear of needles still allow me to try one needle and they immediately see that they don’t even feel it. People are used to medical needles but acupuncture needles are as thin as the hair on your head. If someone still is averse to needles, than we can use homeopathic medicine, Chinese herbs and nutritional counseling.
Q. What is your experience in assisting in the birthing process?
A. Assisting in the birthing process is one of the most rewarding types of treatments I’ve done. When contractions are not coming on time, acupuncture and homeopathy will help a lot. I was told at one birth that the doctors and nurses never saw such a quick and easy birth as with my help. I also help during pregnancy to assist with any problems, like nausea, headaches, back pain, etc.
Q. How about postpartum depression? Have you seen many women for postpartum depression?
A. Yes, quite a few over my 30+ years. I use acupuncture, homeopathy, and Chinese herbs to correct the hormonal, endocrine, and neurotransmitter imbalances. There are a few homeopathic remedies in particular that are the most common for this problem: Sepia, Natrum mur, and Lachesis, among others.
Q. Do you see a lot of women for menopause problems and in particular for anxiety and hot flashes?
A. Yes, menopausal issues, such as dryness and hot flashes, as well as panic, anxiety and depression are very common my practice. There are some specific Chinese herbs I use, sometimes also in conjunction with hormone replacement. I can work with the MD to find the right combination of herbs and hormones. Some women also will do just fine with acupuncture, homeopathy and herbs alone.
Q. How about PMS? What percentage of your practice deals with PMS?
A. I wrote my PhD dissertation on the alternative treatment of PMS so I have attracted many women over the years who want to utilize my expertise in this area. In most cases, we can make some dietary improvements, run some blood work, increase exercise, and along with acupuncture, it usually only takes 2 – 3 menstrual cycles before seeing some major improvement.
Q. If someone has a severe case of PCOS, or uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts, what can you offer her in terms of treatment?
A. PCOS, along with cystic acne, and breast or ovarian cysts are becoming more and more common. There is usually a hormonal imbalance in the testosterone and estrogen. We can run a saliva or blood hormone test to be sure. I treat using liver cleansing herbs as well as acupuncture to correct the hormonal imbalances. In terms of diet, I usually recommend the woman eliminate cow’s dairy and gluten containing foods.
Q. Do you only treat women or can you also treat the men in their lives?
A. I most definitely also treat men. Usually the women bring their significant other in with them. Men don’t tend to seek treatment nearly as often as women in my experience.
Q. Do you have any opinion or theories as to why women these days have these types of health issues?
A. Two things primarily: diet and stress. And both of these things can be changed. I work with my patients on the correct or optimum diet for each person. It’s an individual thing. Each person needs a slightly different diet and nutritional program. We can also do a lot to handle and respond to our stress. Meditation, exercise, relaxation, and other self-help methods go a long way in helping. And the right supplements help a lot as well.
Q. Where do you see holistic health going over the next 5 – 10 years?
A. It’s clear that alternative and complementary medicine are really seeing an insurgence in our time. I see this trend continuing into the future. Everyone wants healthier and more natural options now for their health care. My goal and life’s purpose is to help my patients integrate healthier options into their lives. I’ve been doing this since 1983 and I only see it continuing to grow in popularity.