KASHKA KRIL-ATKINS
1. Which accomplishment/event/moment are you most proud of in your career as a Homeopath?
Although it's been quite a rewarding journey, I think “the moment” is yet to come. One of the gifts of homeopathic practice is that each day, we get to share in the joy of our patients' well-being. We literally change lives. The past year has been momentous for me and beyond realizing the dream of opening an integrative, multidisciplinary Clinic, I have made the commitment to invest in the future of homeopathy. Beyond the scope of my own practice, I have realized tremendous fulfillment from volunteering my time and (limited) talents to raising awareness of homeopathy in Canada as well as being involved in the evolving Regulatory process in Ontario. “The moment” will come for me if I can play a part in raising homeopathy in the 21st Century to the status of a primary care option, widely accepted and used by Canadians.
2. What 3 aspects of your Homeopathic education contributed the most to your success?
This is an easier question to answer. I was very deliberate about my training and accepted from the beginning that an homeopathic education had a beginning, but clearly no end. It is a life-long commitment. I am grateful to both OCHM and CCHM for my education. I am also grateful to Klaus Scheiman-Burkhardt for his dedication to imparting Materia Medica knowledge over the four years that I studied with him (Zahava Scheiman-Burkhart is his partner in life and practice, as well as a Graduate of CCHM). So the three aspects would be:
- Mentorship from some extraordinary instructors who suffered through my endless questions
- Extensive clinical training
- The understanding that my formal training was the basis of a foundation upon which I needed to continue to build by taking opportunities to further my expertise.
3. Share with us a recent and successful case treated with Homeopathic Medicine.
Varicose veins
Varicose veins a concern for 5 years prior to homeopathic treatment. Vein surgery was unsuccessful and the varicose veins were bothersome on both legs. He describes the sensation as 'heavy' and it is constantly on his mind. He cannot tolerate the sensation of his trouser fabric brushing against his legs and the varicose veins are constantly on his mind. He described becoming aware of the varicose veins as soon as he rises out of bed in the morning and described the sensation of 'hot blood rushing into my legs", and a heaviness. On a scale of 1 to 10, the severity of this complaint was listed as an 8. "It's constantly on my mind. What's going to happen in the future?" Responsible, the patient also worries about financial security in the future.
Of note:
The patient has a preference for hot, sunny weather. “ It can never be too hot. It's funny though, I feel cold on the inside but I feel hot (to the touch)."
He is thirstless and craves sweets.
He complains of dry skin, especially between the fingers with cracks, especially in the heels.
Generals: Varicose Veins
Generals: Varicose Veins, young people in (Ferr Phos only Rx)
Extremities: Blood, rush of blood to lower limbs
Extremities: Cracked skin - fingers
Mind: Anxiety - money matters about
Chill: Exposure after - sun to the heat of
Rx: Flouricum Acid 30CH - 1 Dry Dose
(Flouricum Acid came up third in repertorization following Sepia and Calc. Materia Medica readings strongly confirmed the remedy choice.)
The patient experienced an immediate relief upon taking the remedy. He slept well and noticed his energy level and mood improved and he was more resistant to stress.
The varicose veins no longer constantly worry him and whereas he ranked this symptom as an '8 out of 10', he now ranks it as a '3 out of ten'. The veins are less pronounced and less sensitive to touch.
He is better able to cope with the stresses of life, and speaks much less about worries for the future.
4. Do you have anything else you would like to share?
Homeopathic prescribing is as rewarding as it is challenging. It's critical that as a professional community, we find time to share our passion, our knowledge, 'our peaks and valleys'. We need to stay close to our Colleges and Associations, our teachers and our peers as well as reach out to other Integrative Practitioners to build a strong network of healers.
