The Foundation of Training for Mold Doctors
Anecdotally, it has been common knowledge that indoor mold is not healthy for centuries. The importance of removing mold from the home is even alluded to in the bible. However, “mold sickness,” otherwise known as biotoxin illness or as we discussed in a recent article, CIRS, has only recently been taken seriously by the medical community at large. Because of the work of Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, who began his research in 1997, we have many documented studies that pinpoint the role of mycotoxins in triggering mold illness.
Because the clinical definition of biotoxin illness is so new, much of the training for doctors who treat mold illness is done through continuing education versus something taught in medical school.
It takes an astute patient to research and know what to look for in a mold doctor. Dr. Shoemaker has made it a personal priority to train as many doctors as possible on his biotoxin illness protocols so that his research carries on beyond his lifetime. Other renowned doctors such as Dr. Andrew Heyman and Dr. Nathan Nathan have built upon Shoemaker’s foundation. They treat mold sickness with his work in mind coupled with their own clinical experience treating clients with varying degrees of sensitivity to mold.
The Functional Medicine Approach
Furthermore, in recent years, functional medicine has gained momentum. Its principles are based on an approach that seeks to treat the root cause of illness. This approach serves complex cases of mold patients well. It is important to note that doctors who complete traditional medical school must receive additional training to be classified as functional medicine doctors.
This training comes in many different forms. This article will aim to help identify places you can look for a competent mold doctor and terms you need to know, and questions you can ask.
An important concept to understand in your quest to treat biotoxin illness is this: You can ask the right question all day long, but if you are asking the wrong people, you likely will not get the correct answer.
Traditional allopathic medicine serves a definite purpose. It is fantastic at treating acute injuries, for instance. But, unfortunately, outside of treating mold like an allergy, conventional medicine is ill-equipped to handle complex cases of CIRS. Such cases require one to dig deeper and seek the trigger(s) that contribute to chronic illness and the deregulation of the immune system.
Practitioners that Maybe Skilled at Treating Biotoxin Illness
Doctors trained on the Shoemaker Protocols – As mentioned above, Dr. Shoemaker has made an effort to train as many doctors as possible. These 22 doctors are certified in his protocols, but others may still be familiar with their research. Most of these have MDs, and others are Naturopaths or DO’s who have sought additional training.
Functional Medicine Doctors – The Institute of Functional Medicine defines Functional Medicine as “a systems biology-based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. Each symptom or differential diagnosis may be one of many contributing to an individual’s illness.” Because an FMD focuses on removing the trigger of disease instead of masking a symptom, together with a functional medicine doctor, you can make much progress in treating CIRS.
Integrative Medicine Doctors – A doctor labeled an integrative medicine doctor is a broad classification. In some cases, Shoemaker docs, functional medicine doctors, and naturopaths can be considered integrative medical doctors. The main requirement for this classification is that the doctor is merging more than one type of treatment and not sticking entirely to conventional medical training. Another term for this is complementary medicine.
Naturopaths – Bastyr University defines Naturopathic medicine as “a distinct system of primary health care that emphasizes prevention and the self-healing process through the use of natural therapies. While the roots of naturopathic medicine date back to the 1890s, naturopathic medicine has witnessed a rapid increase in public interest in recent years as a result of the growing consumer movement to solve the healthcare puzzle using prevention, wellness, and respect for nature’s inherent healing ability.”
Websites Helpful in Your Search for a Mold Doctor
The following search engines can help you with your search for a qualified mold doctor. However, you still may have to ask about their background and comfort level in treating your case. Additionally, many of these practitioners do not participate in insurance, but some do. Therefore, it may take some legwork to find a doctor that fits both your needs and fits your budget.
The Institute for Functional Medicine, practitioner search – IFM, the institute that sets the gold standard for Functional Medicine training, has the handy practitioner search on their site, which is a good starting point.
Dr. Shoemaker’s “Surviving Mold” website – He lists Shoemaker Certified doctors on his website.
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians – This organization also has a great search feature to aid your search.
Dr. Jill Crista has a great list of mold-literate doctors on her website as well.
For more tips, or if you are interested in learning how to prevent future mold issues or address current ones, please follow us on Instagram and Facebook. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments below or on our social media.
And of course, please book your inspection today! We look forward to continuing the conversation.
References
1. What is Naturopathic Medicine. Bastyr University. https://bastyr.edu/academics/naturopathic-medicine/what-naturopathic-medicine. Published 2021. Accessed June 10, 2021.
2. What is Functional Medicine? | IFM. The Institute for Functional Medicine. https://www.ifm.org/functional-medicine/what-is-functional-medicine/. Published 2021. Accessed June 10, 2021.
3. https://www.survivingmold.com/. Published 2021. Accessed June 10, 2021.
4. Main Navigation Menu HomeAbout MePhone ConsultationsMedical PractitionersLectures e. Neil Nathan MD. Neilnathanmd.com. https://neilnathanmd.com/. Published 2021. Accessed June 10, 2021.
DISCLAIMER: CMA and CMA staff are not medical doctors, dieticians, nor nutritionists. We do not hold degrees in medicine, dietetics, or nutrition. We make no claims to any specialized medical training, nor do we dispense medical advice or prescriptions. This content is not intended to diagnose or treat any diseases. It is designed to be provided for informational, educational, and self-empowerment purposes ONLY. Please consult with your doctor or wellness team if you have any questions regarding any of the information provided here, and then make your own well-informed decisions based upon what is best for your unique genetics, culture, conditions, and stage of life.