I’m writing this letter because I think it is important for you to know my personal health story as I believe it brings understanding in how I choose to practice and the care I bring to you. When I was about 13 years old I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease, an autoimmune condition of the thyroid, and I began a long journey of Synthroid or Levothyroxin to help manage the symptoms. I struggled, as most people with thyroid issues do, with the medication helping for a couple of weeks and then I would slowly crash until my medication was changed again. Looking back, it was frustrating to begin to feel great and then slip and slide back down to sleepless nights, difficulty waking up, unable to eat breakfast without feeling nauseous amongst other things, but it was the only thing I knew. Then, in 2008 I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, another autoimmune condition in which the body can not process gluten. Gluten is in so many products. This was a steep learning curve that I had to adapt to overnight. If my food contained or came in contact with gluten I was incredibly sick; intense migraines lasting several days, vomiting, dry heaving, diarrhea, fever, chills, you name it. It put me out of commission. I would not wish it on anyone.
2008 was also the year I began my doctoral studies at Parker University. As a Chiropractic student, I became interested in biochemistry, nutrition and neurology. I knew each of these processes is dependent on the other, spurring the other on. The effect of one affects the others. I began to study further these affects on the adjustment. During this time, I also became truly invested and interested in my health, and began to seek out and learn information that would help heal my body because even though I outwardly didn’t appear sick, the health of my body was declining. I believed (and still do today) that if my body can heal so can yours. If we know how to ask the right questions, we are able to give the best information in return. Fast forward to 2014. That year my younger sister, Anne, passed unexpectedly from a rare genetic heart condition that we did not know about. I ask myself, “What if…,” quite often. She inspires me to seek out truth for my patients and to always be listening to you. Through my journey with my Chiropractic, Nutrition Response Testing, and Quantum Nutrition Testing, my body has begun to heal cell by cell, bit by bit. I have more energy, I sleep well almost every night, I no longer struggle with brain fog, and I am better focused throughout the day. Natural sleep and wake cycles are normalizing, and I can eat! I eat mostly Paleo/Carnivore, but if I come in contact with cross contamination of my food, I am no longer incredibly sick and my body can handle what comes my way. I no longer take medication for my thyroid and haven’t in over 10 years! The health of my skin has dramatically improved as well. Since I began on a Nutrition program, my body has healed underlying conditions such as heavy metals, chemicals, food and environmental intolerances, and immune challenges such as parasites, Lyme Disease, and an infection in my Cerebral Spinal Fluid.
As I write this, I want you to know that I hit 40 years old with more stamina, energy, and health than I had when I was teenager. I am in pursuit of the best health of my life and it is only looking up from here as I undoubtedly know my health will continue to improve as I maintain my health through choosing to nourish my body with a Nutrition Program that stays up to date and quality wholefoods. Life is for living! There should be an abundance of quality to your life. The time that your life takes up will pass no matter if it is with quality or not. Choose to pass the time with health and vigor, for this equates to a certain quality of life. I can’t wait to hear about and celebrate your successes! Loving Service,
Dr. Stephanie Bahlman, DC, cAVCA
