Naturopathic Pediatric Child Care
As parents, we always want the best for our children as they grow and develop into young adults. Naturopathic holistic pediatric physician Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff from Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu, assists parents in giving their children the healthiest possible start in life, providing complete well-baby, pediatric and teen care, and treating a myriad of childhood ailments and chronic conditions.
In addition to the normal childhood illnesses, Dr. Joy is highly skilled and trained in the diagnosis and treatment of rashes, allergies, asthma, ear infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections, constipation, diarrhea, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and many other childhood illnesses and infections. She has a healthy respect for conventional medicine and will work in conjunction with your current pediatrician when it is in the best interest of your child. Dr. Ostroff is also open to discussing alternative vaccination schedules, and will never insist on your child fitting into a pre-established box, as no two children are the same. Ultimately, she wants you to feel comfortable and safe with the method of care and treatment your child receives, and know that prevention is indeed the best medicine!
The Wisdom of Your Child’s Healthcare
With ever-increasing academic pressures, environmental pollution, food additives, the fast pace of a quickly changing world, constant media exposure to suffering and violence and less opportunity to discharge tension through playing outside, children today are perhaps under more stress than ever before. Tension can build up inside the body, leading to a decrease in normal function, which in turn makes it more difficult to process toxins, leading to reduced immunity, further tensions, irritability, poor concentration and variety of physical symptoms.
Conventional medicine focuses on treating symptoms and diseases with prescription drugs. While at times these are necessary, antibiotics and other drugs can lead to problems of their own, and rarely address the underlying problems. Alternative pediatric care and holistic healing can address problems when they are still minor and prevent the development of more serious and chronic problems.
Children respond readily to natural treatments and holistic medicine. Chronic conditions, such as asthma and allergies, are often treated very effectively, reducing or eliminating the need for prescription medications. (Note: If your child is on medication for asthma or another potentially life-threatening illness, DO NOT discontinue his or her medication unless doing so under the supervision of a licensed health care provider who is qualified to diagnose and treat illness.)
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine and holistic healing focuses on preventing illness and achieving optimum health. Naturopathic physicians are also trained and skilled in diagnosing and treating disease. Naturopathic pediatric care includes helping parents give their children the healthiest possible start in life, providing complete well-baby and child care, and treating a myriad of childhood ailments and chronic conditions.
Hawaii holistic doctors are licensed as primary care physicians, along with MDs and DOs. They perform physical exams, order or perform diagnostic tests, and diagnose and treat illness. They are licensed to prescribe certain drugs, such as antibiotics and hormones, when appropriate. Most naturopathic doctors have a healthy respect for conventional medicine and have regular referral relationships with MDs who are open to naturopathic treatment.
People often ask, “How is a naturopathic physician different from a ‘regular’ doctor?” and sometimes think, “I wonder if there is a holistic pediatrician near me?” Where naturopathic physicians shine is in their treatment of the whole person, not just the symptoms. For example, it is not uncommon to have a parent bring in a child with recurrent ear infections. The child usually has received antibiotics multiple times and may be a candidate for a tympanostomy (having tubes put into her eardrums). In some cases, the child already has tubes, but is continuing to get ear infections. While her medical doctor has been diligent in treating the child’s infections, there may never have been a discussion with the parents about what might be causing the recurrent ear infections and what steps can be taken to correct those causes. Tolle causum is something naturopathic doctors are instructed in school—this is Latin for “find the cause.” Identifying and treating the underlying causes of illness is one of the guiding principles of naturopathic medicine.
Naturopathic treatment frequently involves dietary changes, and making sure that your child is getting more (or less) of certain foods. This type of treatment can show dramatic results, but it generally doesn’t happen overnight. What do you do in the interim to bring your child (and yourself) some relief? Before the advent of antibiotics and modern drugs, physicians relied upon medicines derived from plant and animal sources to help their patients regain their health. Poultices and steams using medicinal herbs were used to speed recovery from colds and flu. These treatments may not seem to be as sophisticated as modern medicines, but with the dangers surrounding antibiotic overuse and the side effects produced by many medications, these treatments are gaining new respect. Naturopathic physicians have large dispensaries of treatments that can help alleviate symptoms when antibiotics or other drugs are not really the answer.
What to Expect From Holistic Pediatric Care
In a first visit, your Hawaii holistic doctor will usually discuss your child’s entire health history with you and consider what genetic, environmental and nutritional factors could be contributing to your child’s illness. He or she will perform a physical examination of your child, and may order laboratory tests to arrive at a diagnosis. He or she can provide you with nutritional, botanical and homeopathic remedies tailored to your child’s needs, and that will help your child’s system to be more resilient and resistant to infection. Often, a home treatment is recommended that will ease your child’s discomfort and accelerate recovery. Occasionally, a first visit with a sick child will be briefer, focused on getting your child (and you!) some immediate relief, and leaving longer-term treatment plans for a later visit.
If you have questions about nutrition, your naturopathic doctor will answer them and make helpful suggestions about providing your child with the best possible nutritional foundation. Most naturopathic and holistic health doctors also carry high-quality multiple vitamin and mineral supplements formulated especially for children. These professional grade supplements are free of dyes, additives and allergy-promoting substances that can be detrimental to your child’s health, and are compounded using the forms of nutrients that can be most easily absorbed.
If your child is nursing, naturopathic care and holistic healing will include a discussion of any breastfeeding problems, suggestions for dealing with teething problems and the best ways to introduce solid foods to minimize the development of food sensitivities that can lead to health problems such as ear infections and asthma.
What Conditions do Naturopathic Doctors Treat?
In addition to the normal childhood colds and coughs, naturopathic pediatric care includes treatment of rashes, allergies, asthma, ear infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections, constipation, diarrhea, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and many other childhood illnesses and infections. Holistic pediatric doctors can also treat acute injuries such as sprained wrists, bumped heads and minor lacerations, referring for x-rays or more extensive suturing as appropriate.
For further information on naturopathic medicine or acupuncture, please visit our center in Aina Haina and browse our website, NaturalHealingHawaii.com, or call Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff at 808-373-9966.
Naturopathic and Holistic Care for Your Maturing Teen
Raising a teenager in today’s world of uncertainties is challenging enough without the unnecessary worries and concerns with whether your child is healthy enough to endure the stress and demands of an uncertain future.
Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff is sensitive to the physical and psychological pain and stress of teen acne, PMS, ADD, ADHD, moodiness, teenage depression and insecurity, and is a master at motivating your teen in making good choices when entering a social circle of unhealthy choices. She can also advise you on the appropriate holistic medicines for a variety of conditions.
Using naturopathic therapeutics including nutritional, vitamin, mineral, homeopathic and herbal support, your teen can get through high school feeling calm and happy, liking him or herself better and knowing what is appropriate for maintaining a healthy balanced life. Dr. Ostroff will empower your teenager and serve as a strong role model for good choices and a healthy, happy life.
Dr. Ostroff believes in and instills strong ethical effort and intention in alleviating unwanted, uncomfortable and annoying symptoms that inhibit your teen from being all they can be and performing their school work to the best of their ability. Imagine a teenager who is healthy and balanced, and you knowing that you are doing right for them.
For more information, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff at the Center for Natural Medicine, please call 808-373-9966.
Naturopathic Pediatrics & Holistic Childcare
Naturopathic pediatrics and the holistic health of your newborn, infant, toddler and child or teen is one of the specialties of Dr. Diana Joy Ostroff at the Center for Natural Healing. With two children of her own, and 20 years of experience as a pediatric physician, she has profound compassion, empathy and understanding of what mothers and fathers go through in terms of caring for the special needs and demands of their children.
Dr. Ostroff understands that no two children are the same, and takes the time to care and individualize a treatment plan to appropriately suit your child’s personal health care needs.
From concerns about immunization to the use of antibiotics for chronic and re-curing earaches, asthma and allergies, to occasional or frequent diarrhea, constipation, croup, upper respiratory infections and even fussy behavior, Dr. Ostroff knows that you cannot relax until your child is healthy and happy, and takes great effort and pride in seeing to it that you see results in your baby or big boy or girl quickly and painlessly.
Dr. Ostroff has a natural and learned understanding of the delicate systems and needs of our youth, and is highly skilled at providing safe, gentle and effective natural care for your young one. There will be no side effects other than the rapid relief and elimination of unwanted symptoms, along with both you and your child sleeping soundly through the night.
