Special Interests: Dr. Blackman has particular interest in Integrative Medicine to help people with chronic health conditions such as fibromyalgia, fatigue, complex bowel disorders (irritable bowel, Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis), diabetes, high cholesterol and women’s health issues (PMS, menopause symptoms, and osteoporosis).
Board Certified: Family Practice
Medical Degree:
Graduate Degree: PhD, Epidemiology,
Internship and Residency: Department of Family Practice,
Fellowship: Integrative Medicine, University of
Academic Appointments: Assistant Professor, Family Medicine
Other: Medical Acupuncture training, Helms Medical Institute and
Dr. Janine Blackman provides Integrative Medicine Consultations for advice on optimal wellness, and for management of chronic conditions. Dr. Blackman is committed to helping people on their journey for improved physical and spiritual health, and to providing a caring and compassionate environment. She takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), and makes use of all appropriate therapies, both conventional and alternative. Dr. Blackman’s interest in nutrition began at a young age while in college, and continues in her clinical practice today. She has taken several courses in nutrition and on the use of nutritional supplements for improving health.
Dr. Blackman’s interest in Integrative Medicine began during her residency training in family practice when she became aware that while conventional allopathic medicine can be very good at treating acute illnesses or traumatic injuries, it also has many limitations for treating serious chronic conditions. In her journey to learn new methods for helping people with chronic conditions, she has studied various mind-body techniques and acupuncture. She strongly agrees with the philosophy utilizing ‘natural’ methods to restore the body to balance and promote healing, and prescribes western medicines and surgeries only when more natural approaches have been inadequate.
Another important aspect of Integrative Medicine that Dr. Blackman likes to emphasize is the value of establishing a therapeutic relationship with each patient. “When I have spent an hour or longer listening to a new patient tell their story, and this person feels heard and validated for the first time in their life, then our time together can be very healing. Similarly, when I have worked with a patient for several months, and have helped them learn to listen to their own body’s signals about optimal nutrition and mindfulness techniques, then they are further empowered and on the road to healing.”
In her practice, Dr. Blackman works with a team of practitioners trained in Chinese herbology and acupuncture, homeopathy, and several other complementary and alternative therapies. Her individualized treatment programs often combine nutrition, Chinese medical approaches, mind-body techniques, and other therapies, as appropriate for the individual patient. In addition to her clinical practice Dr. Blackman also lectures frequently at local and national conferences on Integrative Medicine approaches to fibromylagia, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, women’s health, nutrition, and the use of dietary supplements.
Date Published: 9/9/2005
Date Reviewed: 2/9/2006
