In the latest in a series of Q&A articles with local holistic practitioners, Dr. Michael Day sits down with Dr. Mark Dedubovay to discuss the origins of his business and some tips for healthy living.

Disclosure: Michael Day is independently contracted to work in the same office building as the Advanced Wellness Center, but owns a separate practice and is not an employee of the AWC.

Wellness is his Goal: Dr. Mark Dedubovay

The Advanced Wellness Center has become a staple of the Long Beach community over the years.  A center featuring all the most advanced and researched options in complementary and alternative medicine or (C.A.M.), was the brain child of Dr. Mark Dedubovay D.C. almost 20 years ago. In practice in Long Beach for over 25 years, first practicing in Italy and France and then in Long Beach, Dr. Dedubovay has helped thousands of individuals lead a more active and fulfilling life.  I sat down with him to get his views on health and wellness, and talk about his top three favorite health tips.

What drew you to open this practice in Long Beach?

I was drawn by my life partner and partner in practice Dr. Barbara Shur.  I was very impressed by the diversity, lifestyles and culture that were similar to the lifestyle of the years I spent in Europe. 

Now your dream for opening up a practice was a little unique, tell me about that:

My dream started with my first practice experience in Italy.  My first three years were in Italy followed up by a year in Paris, France.  The Italy practice was a group practice, where we worked hand in hand alongside Medical Doctors, Radiologists, and Physical Therapists.  It was somewhat of a trial by fire at first and my first day I saw 75 patients and worked my way up to seeing almost 200 people a day.  They really valued the care and the teamwork we provided, and it was where I first fully realized the meaning of the statement “The we is greater than the me” and the power of collaboration.

So when I returned I dreamed of having a practice that offered a team approach to the care of the patient.

So although the practice was a long process and hard work, it’s now known throughout Southern California:
In the practice we’ve tried to bring all best that complementary alternative medicine stands to offer.  We have a team of Doctors of Chiropractic with different specialties and focuses, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine practitioners with different degrees and focuses, rehabilitation specializing doctors, nutrition specializing doctors, and a great group of massage therapists.  From the very beginning we made the goal of collaborating with mainstream medicine and within alternative medicine for the betterment of the patient, so we created the mission statement, “A healthcare team inspiring patients along their healing journey.”  Because the most important step in healing is empowering the patient to realize they have control over their health and healing.

So the teamwork expands outside the practice and the C.A.M world?

Yes we get a lot of referrals and refer out to several M.D’s, Dentists, D.O’s, Podiatrists, Orthopedists, and Psychotherapists, and many more in the area.  This has now been coined Integrative Medicine, and it’s exciting to see all parties respecting each other for their talents for the common good of the health of the patient.  It’s been so successful we are in the development of a Physician outreach program, where we plan to go out and meet with numerous doctors and bridge the gap, educating on the research and efficacy involved with C.A.M. and how we can work as a team in the community.

As well as a Chiropractor you are also a Certified Traditional Naturopath and Health Coach, what are these certifications?

That’s another specialty and passion that adds to the holistic care of my patients.  Chiropractic does a wonderful job of keeping them structurally strong and sound, and recovering from injuries.  But also the Naturopathic deals with organic disorders drawing upon the research available in nutrition and supplementation, and health coaching educates individuals on lifestyle changes they could make so that they can live long and healthy lives.  With only several changes in diet and lifestyle many individuals can return to abundant health.

Three Health Tips from Dr. Mark that you can start today and feel better tomorrow:

  1. Get more sleep:  In our hard driving society, we work hard and work out hard, but we undervalue the power of sleep.  Sleep is when muscles heal, dreaming our natural psychotherapy where we can download our deep memories from what we’ve learned that day.  Sleep is valuable time and time well spent, not lazy time.  Research shows about 8-9 hours where people can stay healthy and young.  If you can’t get that amount during the week try to keep up with catching up on sleep debt on the weekends or napping for no more than 30 minutes.
  2. Exercise balanced:  harder exercise isn’t always better.  Mix it up often and change the intensity and pace, this has been coined interval training.  I teach people to live and exercise more intuitively, almost like a child.  Have fun when you workout and be spontaneous, we all have a deficiency in play fun and laughter in our lives.
  3. Have a healthier relationship with food:  Food needs to be something we spend more quiet meditative time with, and really connect with the fact that this is the food that’s nourishing and replenishing my body.  I’m going to eat slowly and in a reverent manner, and make it a joyful experience.  That’s something I took away from Europe, food is a celebration of the bounty of the earth.  Eat fresh brightly colored food, if we eat more in this manner we would never have issues with metabolism or weight.