frequently asked questions

What is alternative or integrative medicine?

The focus of alternative medicine is elevation of health and wellness through the use of natural food supplements, life-style changes, diet, and other therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, or massage therapy. It is an alternative to the use of drugs. The focus of traditional medicine is the treatment of disease or illness with drugs, surgery, or radiation. For instance, someone gets a backache. In allopathic (traditional) medicine you might be prescribed a muscle relaxant or pain medication. In alternative medicine, you would see a massage therapist or chiropractor, or take a natural supplement for control of pain or muscle spasm. In integrative medicine one might combine both drugs and alternative approaches.

Are alternative therapies appropriate in all cases?

No. Alternative therapies are most appropriate in chronic conditions or to be used in a preventive way. The top three causes of death in the United States are heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Both traditional doctors and alternative health care providers agree that these diseases could be prevented or improved with proper diet and life-style changes in many instances.

In acute conditions such as heart attack, stroke, or acute trauma, traditional medicine excels and is most appropriate.

Why are traditional doctors reluctant to accept alternative medicine?

This is a hard question to answer. Read my article that was published in the Alachua County Medical Society Journal.

What kind of doctor is Dr. Erickson?

Dr. Erickson is a medical doctor. He has training and experience in Radiation Oncology, Family Practice, Sport’s Medicine, and alternative/integrative medicine.  Read more about Dr. Erickson here.

What is CRA (Contact Reflex Analysis)? How is it used at the Center?

One of the methods of patient evaluation used at the Center is acupuncture meridian analysis of bioenergy flows using muscle reflex testing called CRA (Contact Reflex Analysis). This is different than evaluation of biochemical reactions that occur within our bodies using lab tests, and is in the realm of physics, much in the same way MRI scan analysis is based on the fact that we are composed of atomic particles and have energy flows. We use CRA to help adjust doses of medications or supplements a patient takes. For instance, in hormonal replacement therapies often the lab reference range is very wide, but an individual patient’s “optimal” range is narrow. Using CRA findings in addition to lab findings, we are able to prescribe custom, compounded bioidentical hormonal replacement therapies for men and women. CRA was developed over 40 years ago by Dr. Dick Versendaal, a chiropractic physician and nutritionist in conjunction with medical doctors, a dentist, nutritionists, and others. Dr. Versendaal continues to teach CRA courses to physicians, chiropractors, veterinarians, and other health care professionals in seminars all over the United States. Dr. Erickson has trained and lectured with Dr. Versendaal.

What if I feel bad and all my lab tests have been “normal?”

Often times patients come to the Center and do not feel well but have “normal” lab test results, or have been told by their physician’s that nothing could be found to explain their symptoms. This is especially true where chronic fatigue or hormonal imbalance is present. Many times a patient will be told they are “depressed” when symptoms cannot be explained on a lab test or X-ray. Using a holistic-integrative approach by combining a person’s history, CRA findings, functional lab tests such as hair analysis of toxic and nutrient elements, traditional lab tests and physical diagnosis, the root cause of a person’s problems can often be found.

How do I know if Dr. Erickson can treat what is wrong with me?

The success rate at the Center is greater than 90% for improving the way a person feels and functions. Of course, the person must follow his or her treatment program. Although there are no guarantees as to outcome, each treatment is individualized depending on the findings at the first visit. As no two people are exactly alike, treatments will vary somewhat among patients with the same condition. Unlike drug therapies, nutritional therapies take time -- on the order of several months before results are often seen. The same applies for natural hormonal replacement therapies. Dr. Erickson requires a consultation visit prior to accepting patients into the practice to assess whether he feels he can help you or not. We do these at the end of the day, by appointment. We suggest you bring up your questions and concerns during this initial consultation visit with Dr. Erickson.

What if I am a vegetarian or vegan?

That’s fine. Often times the therapies and supplement suggested will be compatible with being a vegetarian or vegan. At other times, a specific supplement will be suggested and it may not be available without a gelatin capsule, but the contents are all plant product. Sometimes, glandular products (that contain animal product) are necessary if a person is to regain health, and the individual person will need to make a decision as to whether they wish to proceed with this therapy.

What is NAET (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique)?

NAET is a method of eliminating many common allergies without the use of allergy shots or medication. It is in the realm of energy medicine and works by treating the acupuncture pathways so that they do not respond inappropriately to things such as foods or pollens. Dr. Erickson has trained with Dr. Nambudripad (who developed this technique almost 20 years ago) Dr. Erickson has helped dozens of people eliminate allergies on a permanent basis. Some of the people he has helped had anaphylactic reactions to peanuts, chicken, shrimp or other foods before receiving the treatment. They can now safely eat these foods without a reaction. Other patients would have severe allergies and sinus problems to pollens or dust, and they no longer have to take antihistamines or steroids. NAET therapy has a general success rate of around 85%. For more information on NAET we suggest you read Dr. Nambudripad’s book Say Goodbye to Illness. This can be obtained at any bookstore or through the Center

Will my insurance cover the cost of my visit?

This depends on the terms of your policy. We suggest you contact your insurance agent or company if you have questions about your benefits. Our experience has been most insurance companies cover a portion of the allowable for office visits and procedures, but do not usually reimburse for supplements or hair analysis tests, or procedures they consider alternative.

How do I get started?

It’s simple. Call the office at 352-331-5138 during regular business hours (9:00A.M. - 5:00P.M. Monday - Friday) to schedule an initial consultation visit. To save time, contact us to request a Health History form that should be completed prior to your first visit.