Integrative Medicine with Tanmeet Sethi, MD

I am an Osteopathic Physician. Aka: Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). I’m Board Certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the National Board of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS). When it comes to practicing in a hospital or clinic in the United States, MD’s and DO’s hold the same level of training and scope of practice. But, historically, Osteopathic Medicine adopts more holistic practice philosophy.

The Tenants of Osteopathic Medicine are as follows:

1. The body is a unit; the person is a unit of body, mind and spirit.

2. The body is capable of self-regulation, self-healing and health maintenance.

3. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated.

4. Rational treatment is based upon an understanding of the basic principles of body unity, self-regulation and the interrelationship of structure and function.

Despite my allopathic residency training and Board Certification, many families seek me out specifically because I take a whole-person approach to clinical practice. Had I known as a medical student that Integrative Medicine fellowship were an option, my career may have taken a different path.

Now that I’m 7 years out of training, I expand my knowledge base through Continuing Medical Education (CME) that provides evidence-based and integrative approaches. I’ve taken courses on integrative management of Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Lifestyle and Wellness. I’m currently taking courses on Sexual Health through Menopause; learning hormone and pharmaceutical management as well as holistic strategies like mindfulness, physical therapy and sensate focus.

The corporate healthcare system in the United States has erected such complex barriers to care that a multi-billion dollar “wellness” industry has evolved to fill in the gaps. Some of the providers in the wellness space are exceptionally qualified and highly trained professionals who operate outside of the mainstream healthcare system because they take issue with it’s many flaws. But some are profiteering nonsense-peddlers who are taking advantage of a broken system and preying on desperate patients. I do my best, through this newsletter and my daily Notes, to help sort through the noise of health and wellness influencers. (If you’re not following my Notes on the Substack app, I’d encourage you to check it out. There are some very thoughtful discussions happening over there.)

I’m rolling out a series of interviews with other physicians whose practices and viewpoints I find valuable. I hope that hearing from trusted doctors provides some perspective on system navigation and practical tips for health maintenance.

In this interview, I discuss the healthcare landscape, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and integrative medicine with Seattle-based integrative physician, Dr. Tanmeet Sethi. You can check out her work and follow her writing at “Your Integrative Physician” on Substack.