CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND WALDORF EDUCATION:
A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH TO HEALING
By Dr. Steven M. Johnson, D.O.
Dear Friends,
The nature of childhood has changed a great deal over the last decades. We are seeing more chronic problems, such as asthma, allergies, ADD and stress related ailments. In addition, chronic recurring colds, earaches and other problems are more frequent. Many children have needed multiple courses of antibiotics and steroids at a young age, leading to imbalances of the bacterial flora in the intestines. This can exacerbate allergy related conditions and immune balance.
Many conditions can be helped by reducing external stressors, changing the diet and trying to use anthroposophical, homeopathic and natural medicines when possible. I have been using such medicines in my practice and with my own children over the last five years. This approach can be very successful and, I believe, strengthens the child’s constitution and health for the future. I have also been a physician consultant for several Waldorf Schools over the last five years, working with teachers around developmental and health issues. Believe it or not, I am a Waldorf School graduate myself! This means I take a developmental approach to healing.
When Rudolf Steiner founded the Waldorf School, he wanted teachers and doctors to work together because he felt that early childhood development, mental and physical health were intimately linked. Research over the past ten years has shown this to be largely true. The early neurological development of the child is closely linked to the way the body responds to stress, secretes hormones and regulates circulation and immune function. The diet, education, social and physical environment all play into this brain development. It is possible for me to consult with your child’s teacher concerning Waldorf-inspired educational modalities that can help with his or her development. The teacher can also give me developmental insights that allow me to better recommend treatments or therapies if needed. If we have both trained in the developmental principles of Waldorf education, we can communicate together on this level. Rudolf Steiner had visualized Waldorf education as “therapeutic education.” The doctor and teacher working together can sometimes be an important part of this process. Of course, for many common problems this kind of exchange is not needed, but it is good to know it is available.
In my practice I work with patients of all ages out of a “holistic” philosophy. This involves the bridging of conventional, mind-body and natural medicine. Depending on the need of the patient, I may use conventional medicines, anthroposophical treatments, homeopathy, herbs, bio-identical hormones, supplements, osteopathic manipulation, cranial sacral therapy and other modalities in treating a patient. I am an internist by training and, therefore, recommend children still see their pediatrician if needed. I do provide comprehensive primary care for adults and am accepting some insurance. Please look at our website at www.21stcenturymed.net
If I can be of help to you, please call my office at 812-282-4309. My office is located on Eastern Boulevard in Clarksville, Indiana, about 5 minutes from downtown Louisville.