July/August 2008 Alternative Health
Meta-Physician on Call

by Laurie Sue Brockway

Many of us wish we had a physician like Dr. Steven E. Hodes.

Dr. Steve is a traditionally trained physician with a metaphysical point of view. His approach to well-being encompasses both the scientific and spiritual causes for pain, illness and disease. He helps us bridge the gap between traditional medicine and holistic healing, and shines a light on ways non-medical issues - such as stress and emotional blockages - contribute to illness. As the author of Meta-Physician on Call for Better Health, he explores the connection between spirituality and medicine, and offers many ways metaphysics can help facilitate healing.

Q. How do you define metaphysics?

A. Metaphysics is by definition the branch of philosophy which endeavors to explore the nature of reality. It traces its origins to the works of Aristotle but I believe it has tremendously important practical applications as well. All human beings, I believe, possess an innate desire to make sense of their own lives and the world around them. We are all seeking metaphysical answers to the great questions of existence. Life does make philosophers of us all.

Q. How does metaphysics relate to traditional medicine and science? Are they different or complementary?

A. Some would argue that metaphysics is distinctly separate from medicine and science. I strongly disagree. To me, science and medicine are tools which can shed light on the nature of reality. I would also include art in this mix as well. It is essential to understand that our very nature includes body, mind and spirit. How else can we approach "healing," which means "to make whole."

Q. How does an ailment turn from a non-serious health issue to a disease that must be treated?

A. In my practice, I see time and again how patients manifest physical ailments because of their emotional unhappiness and spiritual imbalances. Stress and anxiety manifest in our bodies as physical pain or illness and can cause a host of symptoms that, while real, originate from dis-ease in our lives. I try to help them deal with stress in a positive, powerful, life-affirming way. Again, it brings up the issue of what role the body/mind/spirit plays in any particular illness. Failure to address any or all of these elements will impair the healing process.

Q. Can you explain your distinction between "alternative medicine" and a "holistic" approach?

A. I regard myself as an open-minded skeptic when it comes to much of the alternative world. But I apply the same criteria to traditional medical approaches as well. I have found that so-called mainstream medical articles may reach a conclusion which differs considerably from my own clinical experience. I trust what my observations have taught me. I know full well that science is constantly evolving and correcting itself so we need to be careful before abruptly changing our ideas about healing. The alternative world can offer interesting and beneficial therapies. They need to be evaluated for safety and efficacy on a case-by case basis. Science needs to be open to the benefit of therapies that fall outside their scope of understanding. Acupuncture is a perfect example. It has been clearly demonstrated to work, but medical science can't explain why. My approach is holistic because I try to address all issues and aspects of body, mind and spirit.

Q. You have almost 30 years experience as a traditional doctor. What led you to incorporate metaphysics in your medical practice?

A. What precipitated the transformation (a process which remains ongoing) was my introduction to an aspect of reality which I had previously denied - the spiritual. Through my interaction with ordinary, sane and reasonable individuals who had extraordinary experiences, I came to the awareness that there is a spiritual dimension to reality that cannot be denied. The mind/body aspects of disease became even more obvious to me as well. I could not help but incorporate this understanding into an appreciation of the metaphysical approach to life and healing.

Q. How does traditional medicine generally view metaphysics and spirituality?

A. Unfortunately traditional medicine has become a victim of its own success. It is a fascinating story that parallels the development of science in the Western world since the time of Newton, Galileo and Descartes. As medical science proved its effectiveness in treating the human body, the mental and spiritual aspects of healing fell by the wayside. It is time to re-incorporate them into the picture in order to truly achieve healing.

Q. Why do you strongly believe in people's ability to heal themselves?

A. There is clear evidence that our bodies possess incredible abilities of self-healing. There is also clear evidence that the mind and body are interconnected. Our emotional states can improve or impair our physical healing. The field of psychoneuroimmunology has discovered scientific evidence for the mind/body connection. Our brains possess receptor sites on their cells that demonstrate how anxiety and depression can be improved through our body's own chemical peptides. Relaxation techniques, meditation and prayer can facilitate healing. But we don't have to choose meditation over medication. Why not use both, and heal faster and more effectively?

Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway is co-host of Interfaith Living at www.qtworldradio.net. For metaphysical prescriptions from Dr. Steven Hodes, visit www.meta-md.com.