Got back and neck pains? See a holistic doctor

As a doctor for many years, I have seen the strengths and pitfalls of medicine. Yes, there are many diseases we, doctors, can treat like heart disease, diabetes, and various infections. However, there are still other diseases that conventional medicine is weak at.

Take the case of chronic headache, back pain, or nerve pain. Medicine is also weak when it comes to diseases with a psychological component and stress-related conditions.

Pioneer in holistic healing

Luckily, we have one unique individual who has found a healing niche that has helped thousands of Filipinos. His name is Dr. Martin Camara, a chiropractic doctor. But unlike some alternative medicine practitioners who shun Western medicine, Dr. Camara combines the best of both fields.

Dr. Camara is a trained chiropractor. In addition to his specialty, he employs a team of specialists, namely a rehabilitation medicine doctor (the able Dr. Jay Guab), physical therapists, a myotherapist (muscle therapy), and, if needed, an acupuncturist and a psychologist. In a span of two decades, he has built a large following of grateful patients in his Intercare Clinics.

I’m sure some doctors will dismiss and frown upon such practices as chiropractic medicine and myotherapy. These fields are not taught in medical school. However, here are some reasons why the skeptic should reconsider the healing techniques of Dr. Martin Camara.

Why he may be able to help you:

• Dr. Camara has been part of the Philippine Olympic Team since 2005. He is co-chair of the Medical Commission in the Philippine Olympic Committee, and chair of the Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Many athletes have sworn on the efficacy of his treatments. He is also the president of the Philippine Chiropractic Society.

• Dr. Martin Camara’s dad is the famous cardiologist Dr. Augusto A. Camara, who is an outstanding summa cum laude graduate from the UP College of Medicine. Growing up with his dad, Dr. Martin did not want to be in his father’s shadow. He saw the scientific basis for chiropractic medicine and other alternative medical practices. Thus, he carved his own niche and studied at Palmer College of Chiropractic West in California, USA. In 1993, he graduated cum laude and was a Clinical Excellence Awardee in Chiropractic. Like his dad, Dr. Martin explains the concepts of his healing in clear scientific terms, no different from a Western doctor.

• Some enlightened individuals will agree that there is a gap in conventional medicine. Orthopedic surgeons are great if there is a torn ligament or hip fracture needing an operation. Rehabilitation medicine doctors are experts in handling stroke patients. However, for the many other body aches and pains that lead to infirmity, weakness, and walking instability, this is where conventional medicine may be left wanting.

• Dr. Camara says, “Chiropractic is basically a natural, drug-less, non-surgical option or alternative for people suffering from these conditions. We can do whatever tests, order X-rays, come up with probably the same working diagnosis as the other physicians. For the most common type of arthritis, which is degenerative osteoarthritis, chiropractors are trained to correct the structure so the skeletal joints don’t wear out. So if you’re in pain, we can get rid of the pain; if you have an imbalance, we’re trained to look at muscle imbalances so we can strengthen the weaker side so we can align it properly.”

• Dr. Camara treats body parts not yet fully explored by Western medicine. He says, “Western medicine is weak in spine alignment problems (which many people have), muscle problems (no muscle-doctor specialist yet), and also fascia problems. Fascia is the fibrous and tough tissue covering or binding muscles together. These muscle and fascia problems cause a lot of aches and pains, which no magic pill can address.

• Finally, unlike some alternative healers, Dr. Camara believes in conventional medicine. When he was younger, he had been his dad’s medical assistant. Thus, he will tell you to see your regular doctor first. But when the body pain or numbness problem is within his realm, that is where he wisely intervenes.

We are just lucky to have Dr. Camara practice here in the Philippines where he can help his fellow Filipinos. Therefore, I suggest you see your regular doctor. But if you still feel that something is wrong, I recommend you try this holistic doctor — Dr. Martin Camara.

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Visit Dr. Camara’s Intercare Clinics in Makati with telephone number 890-3378-79; in Greenhills, 724-6631; and in Alabang, 807-6863.