Skin health – a different perspective.

I am sure you have argued before… with your friend, spouse, child, co-worker. I am sure, in that moment, that you both felt absolutely sure of yourselves. You both probably had really good reasons, and references, as to why each of you were so correct! How can it be that two people can see the same world, yet can have two totally different stories as to what they saw.

This is all about perspective. About how we look at the world. About how open we are to the different pieces of information that come to our senses, and about how we process this information. When it comes to our health, particularly that of our skin, it is the same. Many doctors will have totally different viewpoints than other doctors. They will argue about the diagnosis, the best treatment, and the reality of long term resolution.

This happens amongst western doctors, amongst the doctors of Chinese medicine, and certainly between the two of them. Of course this discourse can be useful, forming the idea of the “second opinion”, but it can also be a very frustrating, depleting and emotionally draining journey for the one that is sick. Many doctors make the erroneous error of claiming their judgement to be the final word, rather than a statement of their own opinion. The good doctor will present their thinking, being honest to their level of understanding and open to the possibilities that other ways may exist that will better serve their patient.

The art of “doctoring” is a humbling experience. We are not God by any means. We cannot pretend to know everything, particularly when it comes to the delicate matter of another beings health. We need to remain open to learning, to growing, and expanding our knowledge, all for the benefit of ending the suffering of the beings we encounter. Often times this means saying, “I don’t know”, and referring on to someone else who may know better.

This also means being open to referring on to other modalities than just our own. When I encounter situations that I do not feel comfortable diagnosing or treating, like the various forms of skin cancer, I will not waste time and will refer the patient on to someone else. A part of this has to do with my skill level, of my confidence level, and also with my general perspective. I have to trust that another doctors perspective may be better than mine in certain situations, just as I have to trust that my own perspective may be better than another doctors when it comes to the treatment of things like psoriasis, eczema, and acne (as examples).

Sometimes surgery is best, sometimes a strong drug like a steroid may be best. Other times a well crafted herbal formula can work even better than the strong steroid. Perspective is everything, being open to our limitations and options is life saving.

Have a look at the following video and you may understand the power of perspective. Watch it with others and talk about what you see. Let it be an example of why we all need to stay open to others ideas and points of view. The world will be a much better place if we do.

Wishing you health,

Dr. Trevor Erikson