With the latest technology and advancements in the medical field, it seems there is an answer to every question regarding our health. Human DNA has been successfully unlocked, robotics and other technological wonders have been developed, and doctors' skills and knowledge are constantly updated. Despite our understanding of human sicknesses and defects, there is still a lingering question: how and why do we get sick?
In Western medicine, diseases and ailments are caused by malfunctions and abnormalities in the human body's systems. In Eastern medicine, illnesses are believed to be caused by imbalances in the mind, emotion, physical, and spiritual aspects of a person. Every year, we hear of different medical breakthroughs and triumphs. Still, man has not yet discovered the panacea for all our health problems. Thanks to the integration of Western and Eastern medicines, better outcomes are promised when applied and practiced together.
Frederick “Erick” Francisco, a devoted practitioner of biointegrative medicine, is campaigning and advocating for this medical philosophy, hoping many doctors will adopt and apply this principle. As defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, integrative medicine “combines mainstream medical therapies and conventional and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for which there is some high-quality scientific evidence of safety and effectiveness.” The leading proponent of integrative medicine in the world, Dr. Andrew Weil, said, “Integrative medicine ‘cherry picks’ the very best, scientifically validated therapies from both conventional and CAM systems.”
Recognizing the efficacy and greatness of Western medicine, Francisco is also a firm believer in Eastern medicine. When the two are combined, better results are guaranteed. “When I was serving in one of the government hospitals, I felt that I was missing something, that I needed to do more to serve and help my patients well. I had this thirst to learn something that would allow me to touch the lives of my patients, not just by doing the ‘usual’ duties of a doctor to his patients,” he said. Francisco’s desire to do better led him to the US, Germany, and other countries that are active and leading proponents of integrative medicine. Armed with new knowledge and skills, Francisco established his first wellness center in Malate, Manila, which later on was transferred to Faraday Street in Makati City, now known as EastWest Biointegrative Health Center (EWBHC).
EWBHC is not your usual health center. From the outside, the building looks very cozy and stylish. Upon entering the gate, the center exudes a relaxing and homey ambiance. The treatment rooms are very comforting—from the scent of the clinic, the La-Z Boy chairs, the modern and high-tech gadgets for acupuncture, and other alternative treatments. “As the medical director and founder of this health center, I want to make my patients comfortable—to make them feel that they are just talking to a simple man, to a friend. I want them to see things that are soothing to their eyes, which is why I want plants outside the center,” he noted. According to Francisco, EWBHC is a place to guide and teach patients to achieve the highest state of harmony of oneself—spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being. “Here in the center, we do our best to make the body regulate, repair, regenerate, and restore the function of cells to achieve self-healing,” he stressed, adding, “EWBHC also aims to empower people through a quality healthy lifestyle.” Francisco may be the best integrative medicine doctor in the country, but there is one thing more notable about him. He is a doctor who believes in the power of medicine, but above all, he boldly recognizes one certain fact—it is neither the doctor nor the medicines that heal a sick person, but there is God who restores the ailing body. Though his patients come from all walks of life and beliefs, Francisco always makes it a point to stress to his patients that there are factors that influence health, wellness, and disease, including mind, spirit, and community, as well as body. “I think one of the best things about my practice is the fact that I get close enough to my patients in an emotional and spiritual way. Sometimes, we get sick because we have so many things in our hearts and minds that we have no one to share them with. We just have to let those thoughts and emotions out that are affecting our wellness,” he shared.
Aside from homeopathy, homotoxicology (removal of toxins in the body tissues), chelation therapy (cleansing the body), oxygen therapy, neural therapy to treat chronic pain, and mesotherapy to treat rheumatism, infectious diseases, and vascular diseases, Francisco’s EWBHC also offers orthomolecular medicine, nutritional supplements, enzyme therapy, traditional Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion, bioresonance therapy, live-cell analysis, anti-aging therapy, and skin-rejuvenation therapy. A lot of his patients can attest to the efficacy of Francisco’s therapies and modalities.
Ever since Francisco began practicing integrative medicine, it has always been his dream to influence other doctors to adopt this philosophy. He believes that integrative medicine offers a holistic approach to treating patients, addressing not only the body but also the total well-being of a person.
“When I talk to my patients to gather their medical history, I often uncover deep emotional struggles underlying their diseases. For example, a diabetic patient may have developed unhealthy eating habits due to emotional battles. Understanding these factors is crucial; treating the body starts with understanding the mind and emotions.”
Besides managing EWBHC, Francisco is a founding board member of the International Academy of Medical Specialists Inc. (IAMS), established in 2006. IAMS aims to ensure global quality healthcare by empowering medical specialists through continuous education and training.
IAMS engages in various outreach activities, including medical and dental missions, to serve underserved communities. Partnering with public, private, and governmental organizations, IAMS strives to expand its reach and impact in improving healthcare access worldwide.