Healing Journeys: The story of Dr. Z and neurology

Dr. Z is a very robust and interesting local chiropractor who has helped quite a few people - children to elders - with difficult health challenges. He is one of the very few who have a degree in Clinical Neurology, a postgraduate certification in which he serves his neurology patients without surgery or drugs. This is a new frontier of science that helps those with post-stroke, ADD, ADHD, and many other symptoms. Dr. Z teaches his patients to be pro-active in their recovery so they can lead a more productive and healthy life.

What events lead you to become a chiropractor?

That is a long story. I was born in 1945 in Germany. I have a MS degree in Civil Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin, Germany. In 1970, I came to the United States for postgraduate studies. Wonderfully, this engineering way of viewing life later came in handy in my present vocation - chiropractic! After one year, I decided to quit the engineering field because I found a calling to more directly contribute to people, which has always been my true passion.

In 1978 I had a thriving landscape business in Berkeley, and it was there I was notably inspired to be a healing practitioner because I was unable to walk or stand upright, due to unrelenting and excruciating pain. A local chiropractor, Dr. Mik Hamilton, changed my life for good. Within two weeks, I was able to again perform heavy physical work. I loved the way he looked at health and the way he practiced. One day, he challenged me to become a chiropractor myself so I could show others that all true healing comes not from drugs and surgery, but from within. I accepted his challenge.

You continue to learn, including getting an advanced degree in Clinical Neurology recently, why is this important to you?

Learning is extremely personal to me. Continued studying saved my life, and it has helped me change and improve the lives of countless others. In 1990, my own physical and emotional health was again declining; no solutions seemed to be available. I was chronically depressed and suffered from unpredictable mood swings. Nobody wanted to be around me. Often suicidal, I was left without hope.

There was definitely something wrong with me! What was it? I refused to accept the prevailing medical notion that my condition was simply due to a deficiency in antidepressants such as Prozac, Wellbutrin, etc. In my despair, I spent all my free time researching alternative health care. One day I stumbled on this most amazing fact: A simple but dramatic change in diet - I eliminated all carbohydrates for one week, especially all grains, sugar and fruit - guess what happened - most of my horrible physical and psychological symptoms simply vanished. What a tremendous discovery! I have been practicing this simple truth ever since, and I teach it to the people who come to me for help. This way of eating works! WHY this works eluded me - until I began studies in Functional Neurology with the Carrick Institute.

What is our brain's overall function for health?

Our brain governs ALL aspects of our human expression: thoughts, memory, emotions, attention, vision, taste, hearing, smell, touch, pain perception, balance, posture, appetite, digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, bladder function, sexual function, immune response, endocrine function and more. Any abnormality in any of these could be due to an imbalance in brain function. Neuropsychiatric disorders are the No. 1 disorders among all human dysfunctions on our planet today. Among those are depression, bipolar disorders, violence, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, eating disorders, phobias, anxiety and dyslexia. All of these are directly related to imbalance in brain function. Our brain requires three things for optimal function: 1. The proper nutrition - (a) ample protein to maintain the electrical activity of the neuron, (b) an even supply of glucose so the neurons have the energy to do their job. Our societal addiction to high carbohydrate foods and wide spread digestive problems lead to blood sugar imbalance such as hypoglycemia and diabetes with devastating effects on brain function which in turn affects all aspects of our lives. 2. Oxygen - most of us do not breathe deeply. 3. Stimulation - our brain responds to proper stimulation and will actually change, at any time of our lives. My job as a Chiropractic Neurologist is to help you create the foundation for these three vital requirements and to monitor your progress.

How do you assist your clients/patients to heal?

People contact me with all types of symptoms. My first and most important step is a thorough history followed by an in depth assessment to determine what may be causing your symptoms. I evaluate your brain and nervous system function, your dietary behavior, food sensitivities, allergies, and your digestive status. Based on these finding I make my recommendations. I accept you as a patient only if (1) I think I can help you, (2) you are willing to make real changes and follow my instructions.

What do you get out of the work you do?

Because I have known both devastating pain and deep despair in my life - and their resolution - my greatest sense of true satisfaction now comes from helping my fellow human beings regain vitality and life force, when nothing else in conventional or alternative health care seems to be able to help.

Dr. Z (Peter Zeischegg, MS, DC, DACNB) can be reached at (530) 265-0224. His next workshop "Blood Sugar Imbalance Š It Ruins Your Life" will be Saturday, (June 3) at 1 pm. Visit Dr. Z's Web site www.drz.org

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Suzie Daggett is the publisher of the INSIGHT Directory of Healing Arts Practitioners; (530) 265-9255, www.insightdirectory.com