You’ve tried every specialist, medication, diet and approach you can think of, but your health isn’t improving.
Been there. Done that.
When I was deep into ongoing appointments with a specialty neurologist and had multiple MRI scans scheduled, I was sick, spent and scared.
My friend Kandi Palsma asked if I wanted to give her daughter’s new holistic-focused doctor a try. We trekked to the middle of the state and I tried yet another doctor. But, this time, things were different. We focused on finding imbalances in my body, clearing lingering viruses/parasites/bacteria/mold/heavy metals and looking at the root causes of my many symptoms at the time.
Kandi and Angie (and doggie Leo) on one of many forest walks!
I left the appointment nervous about the laundry list of issues, but empowered with a new treatment plan. Nine months of daily supplementation and lifestyle changes later, my overall wellness rebounded to a level I hadn’t enjoyed in years.
Fast forward a few more years, and I’m still practicing what I learned from that holistic practitioner. I do parasite cleanses regularly. I eat my leafy greens. And, I mindfully manage my stress. And Kandi? Well, she went back to school to become a certified natural health practitioner (CNHP) so she can help people in our community learn how to heal at a root level, too.
Disclosure: This blog is reader-supported, which means this post contains affiliate links and advertisements. I earn a small commission if you shop through them, which helps fund this website so I can continue to bring you amazing content. Thank you! ~Angela
A Holistic Health Q&A With Kandi Palsma
I’m thrilled to introduce you to her today and let her share why holistic health is life-changing, how it works and ways it might benefit you. Kandi Palsma is the owner and practitioner at Bluebird Bridge Holistic Wellness in Sioux City, Iowa.
Q: Kandi! Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and insights with my readers today. Can you share a little about your backstory? Why does a holistic approach to healthcare matter to you?
A: Hi, Angie! Thanks for reaching out to me. I think my story is similar to many other holistic or alternative health practitioners.
I have a personal experience with natural health modalities that vastly improved my health and my young daughter’s health. As a preschooler, my daughter began struggling with physical, mental, emotional and cognitive challenges. As any parent knows, you will go to the ends of the earth to save your children. And it really felt like that’s where we were at, saving her. It was only after adding in the support of a holistic practitioner that we were able to see her body begin to heal. Most of those challenges that surfaced in preschool have now been resolved and she’s able to enjoy life as a typical child. I share more about her story on my Facebook page for those who are interested.
I struggled with miscarriage and hormonal issues. And as a result of the stress of everything, I became very anxious and depressed. When my daughter’s health became stable, I began addressing my own health holistically. Through a variety of modalities such as mental health therapy, yoga, meditation, bioenergetics, diet and lifestyle changes, lymphatic massage, aromatherapy and targeted supplementation, I was able to address the root causes of my physical illness and heal.
Q: How does holistic healthcare differ from going to my family doctor or primary care provider that I’ve seen for years?
A: A holistic provider considers all aspects of a person’s wellbeing, including the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual pieces. Therefore, addressing the whole person, not just their symptoms.
Holistic providers look for root causes of imbalance and dis-ease in the body, which are also very individual. The best holistic practitioners encourage and empower people to be active in making their own health decisions and coach them on recognizing the often subtle signals our bodies give to indicate potential issues and inform next steps.
Most times when you visit a medical primary care provider, there is a focus on symptom management or suppression, acute care and pharmaceutical or surgical interventions. They use standard of care protocols and medical guidelines. Holistic providers are able to take the time to address overall wellness and preventive lifestyle recommendations specific to their clients’ individual needs and beliefs.
I would like to note that there is a time for both medical care and natural health modalities in supporting wellness. I’d love to see more collaboration between the systems in the future.
Q: Can you give us a glimpse at what someone can expect at a holistic health appointment? What types of testing do you do?
A: This can vary greatly from one practitioner to another depending on the modalities practiced. Modalities may include chiropractic care, acupuncture, herbalism, homeopathy, aromatherapy, iridology and many more.
There’s typically more time for questions and answers than you might be used to at your medical practitioner’s office. In my practice, I primarily focus on supporting my clients’ natural health foundations such as proper food, water, air, sleep, exercise, detox/drainage and stress levels through lifestyle changes, targeted supplementation, and energetic balancing.
I utilize the QEST4 Bioenergetic testing system that recognizes energetic imbalances and provides balancing information to promote and enhance the flow of energy throughout the body. Balance can be assisted through a liquid (or other medium) imprinted with energetic frequencies, lifestyle supports and targeted supplementation.
Q: What happens after someone meets with you? Can you share what their “new” daily routine might look like with regard to supplementation, lifestyle changes and mental health awareness?
A: After each appointment, which can last 45 minutes to 2 hours, I take time to review all information gathered from the consultation, including Qest4 energetic scan information. Through observation and collaborative conversation, patterns in the QEST4 scans and client priorities, I triangulate multiple pieces of information to make recommendations to support the client’s body in healing or continued health.
Those recommendations include lifestyle changes such as limiting or including specific foods and drinks from their diets, helping them determine stress relief techniques, exercises they are comfortable with, complementary therapies they may benefit from and targeted supplementation. All clients also leave with an energetic imprint that is utilized to promote energetic flow and balance in their bodies.
Q: All of this sounds amazing! Can you share a few specific areas that holistic healthcare can address? My readers love learning more about ways to manage autoimmune conditions, women’s health and chronic illness.
A: I typically have two main groups of clients, those who are experiencing chronic health conditions and are desperate to figure out the missing piece to feeling better or people who are generally healthy/symptom-free and want to stay that way for years to come.
In my family alone, we have supported our bodies in healing from toxic mold exposure, hormone imbalance, autoimmune encephalitis, nightmares, and much more. We even have natural health supports at the ready to help with seasonal allergies and common viruses.
Q: What are one or two of the biggest misconceptions you hear about holistic health? Let’s set the record straight and clarify any misinformation.
A: Misconception 1. Natural health modalities cannot be utilized at the same time as Western medicine. There are considerations when using both forms of health support (such as drug/herb interactions) but overall, most natural health modalities and supports do not interfere with western medical interventions if you choose to do both. I always encourage my clients to talk with their primary care providers when starting something new.
Misconception 2. Natural health modalities are just a placebo, woo-woo or unscientific. There are many research studies on various natural health supports such as chiropractic adjustment, acupuncture, herbs, dietary changes, gratitude practice and meditation. And even conventional medicine recognizes the body’s electrical signals through EKG and EEGs. After seeing the positive impact of energetic balancing on myself, family and friends I knew I had to offer this modality in my community. Although it is one scientific topic not yet completely understood, it works! I feel strongly that it changed the trajectory of my family’s life.
Q: Thank you so much for all of this insight and education! Last but not least, what do you wish every reader knew about a holistic approach to healthcare?
A: You don’t have to do everything at once… but you can if you want. Many of my clients start with imprints and a few low-cost lifestyle changes first. As they start to feel better, they add in more of my recommendations. One of my favorite quotes is “Just do the next right thing.” I encourage my clients to do the same.
Just as it took time to develop imbalance and dis-ease in the body, it takes time to heal. By the time we notice symptoms of disease we can be certain that a person’s body has been trying everything it can to stay in balance for some time and could no longer keep it up. I typically tell clients to allow for 3-5 follow-ups to see major changes but most see changes right away such as improved mood and better sleep.
Also, healing is not linear. There can be ups and downs, especially at the beginning. This is something that can be really difficult as we have grown up in a fast-paced, quick-fix world. We want things to improve immediately and don’t allow our bodies and minds enough time and rest to heal. At my most desperate moments, both with my daughter’s illness and my own, I had to put faith in the body and its natural healing mechanisms. I had to prioritize things like rest, diet and meditation. I had to trust the process. I’m so glad I did.
But what I really want people to know is how empowering it can be to take charge of your body’s healing. When you’ve been feeling horribly both physically and emotionally, going from one doctor to another, desperate for “the cure,” it can be really disheartening. I encourage you to flip the script. Take your power back. Listen to your body. Get out into nature, pray, meditate, breathe… whatever works to get away. You begin to stop feeling like a victim of your symptoms. When you find the quiet, you can really listen to what your body is telling you to do.
H2 Embracing a More Natural Approach to Healing
To learn more about holistic health, you might enjoy browsing the following resources. There are many ways to approach wellness. If what you’ve been doing isn’t giving you the results you want, it’s time to consider new ideas.
- American Holistic Health Association
- Everyday Health, Holistic Health Resource Center
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
- STR Behavioral Health, “14 Types of Holistic Health Practices“
- You Can Heal Your Life, by Louise Hay
If you’d like to connect with Kandi, you can find her sharing her wisdom on Facebook or browse her website at Bluebird Bridge Holistic Wellness. Her office is located in Sioux City, Iowa, where she provides guidance for adults and children by appointment.
Until next time,
Choose healthy!
Angela
