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ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — Dr. Elisha Robinson-Asiso recently opened Integrative Healing Center on Rockford's east side.
The business' motto says it all: "Where traditional and alternative medicine meet." Robinson-Asiso said she doesn't treat diabetes, thyroid issues, high blood pressure or cardiac issues. She focuses on breast cancer patients. But this doctor focuses on the whole patient by using nutrition programs, ultrasounds, mammograms, MRIs, thermograms, genetic screening and, when needed, prescription medications.
It seems like Robinson-Asiso, a married mother of two originally from Gary, Indiana, was destined for this moment in her life.
"My dad is an herbalist, so whenever my siblings or I had problems or illnesses, he would treat us himself with different herbs and herbal remedies. He didn't take us to the doctor," Robinson-Asiso said.
Even with that background, Robinson-Asiso chose traditional medicine as a career. She attended the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Rockford and became a surgeon who treats breast cancer patients. She also works at Rockford Memorial Hospital — at least until July.
She'll leave the hospital this summer because Robinson-Asiso wants to do more than standard treatments for breast cancer patients.
"As I started treating patients, I noticed there were multiple facets to patients beyond just the breasts," Robinson-Asiso said. "I noticed a huge missing link, and that was the whole body component."
So she asked God what she could do for her patients.
"These patients are ill, they are sick, and I heard, 'What are you doing? You're doing holistic steps, eating healthy, getting nutrition, plenty of fresh air and getting sunlight. Teach your patients that,' " Robinson-Asiso said.
When Robinson-Asiso's patients attend their regular appointments, whether they have breast cancer or some other problem, the doctor and patient go through a series of questions, from the patient's eating habits to stresses in their lives to their physical activity. Robinson-Asiso said she works with patients to remove the root cause of the disease.
"And then I look them in the eye and say, 'Look, do you really want this? Because half the battle is what you are going to put into it. I can sit here and you can pay me thousands of dollars to allow me to talk to you until I am blue in the face, but if you don't make a lifestyle change — it won't work.' "
Robinson-Asiso also will teach her patients how to shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, which she said is key to healthy living.
"I think patients are really saying to their doctors, 'Show me how to live this way. Someone needs to help me,' " Robinson-Asiso said. "So, while patients continue the conventional medical approach, I help them take it to the next level, to help with the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy."
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Source: Rockford Register Star, http://bit.ly/1VNcR7j
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Information from: Rockford Register Star, http://www.rrstar.com
This is an AP-Illinois Exchange story offered by the Rockford Register Star.
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