M.B;B.S; M.A.C.N.E.M
Holistic Medical Doctor
GP and Lifestyle Coach
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Qualifications and memberships
Dr David Millar is a medical doctor with a difference. He has 30 years experience in medical practice including general practice, sports medicine, travel medicine and corporate health. He now combines his medical experience with a more holistic approach to practice, as a GP, Holistic Medical Doctor and Lifestyle Coach.
Over his years in practice, Dr Millar became more interested in wellness medicine, believing that a holistic approach to patient care would make more of a difference to his patient’s health. He completed post-graduate training in functional and nutritional medicine with the Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) and Holistic Lifestyle Coaching with the CHEK Institute (www.chekinstitute.com).
Dr Millar is a Registered Medical Practitioner in Western Australia and patients are eligible for Medicare rebates on consultations.
Areas of specialty and approach to treatment
Dr Millar takes a Functional Medicine approach to holistic medical care, which addresses the underlying causes of a patient’s symptoms and health problems, rather than just “band-aiding” the symptoms. Most people who seek him out have been through the medical process, and yet remain chronically unwell or are looking for a proactive and preventative approach to their health issues.
Dr Millar believes that ‘western medicine’ is very good at saving lives when we develop acute illnesses, but it often fails when treating many of the chronic diseases that most people seek help for such as gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, insomnia, arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, hormonal issues, skin problems, thyroid disease, diabetes, immune disorders and mood disturbances. While drugs can reduce some of the symptoms of these disorders, they do not deal with the underlying causes (such as nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, toxicity, stress) which will continue to occur if the root cause is not addressed & will later manifest in another condition.
Functional medicine is personalised medicine that takes a preventative approach and addresses the underlying causes of health problems, instead of just treating the symptoms of chronic disease and ill health. It is science-based health care that is grounded in the following principles:
- Biochemical individuality – everyone has individual variations in metabolic function that originate from genetic and environmental differences among individuals, which always needs to be addressed.
- Patient-centred medicine – emphasises “patient care”, rather than “disease care”.
- Dynamic balance of internal and external factors that have an effect on health.
- Web-like interconnections of physiological factors – research now supports the view that the human body functions as an orchestrated network of interconnected systems, rather than individual systems functioning autonomously and without affecting each other. For example, we now know that immunological dysfunctions can promote cardiovascular disease, that dietary imbalances can cause hormonal disturbances and that environmental exposures can precipitate neurological problems.
- Health is a positive vitality – not merely the absence of disease.
- Promotion of organ reserve as the means to enhance health span.
Functional medicine addresses the core clinical imbalances that underlie various disease conditions, which arise from environmental inputs such as diet, nutrients (including air and water), exercise and trauma (stress). The core clinical imbalances that occur from malfunctions within this complex system include hormonal and neurotransmitter imbalances, oxidative stress, toxicity overload, immune imbalances, digestive, absorptive, and microbiological imbalances, and structural imbalances.
Dr Millar takes the time with his patients to work through all of their health concerns with a thorough history and he often uses functional medicine testing such as salivary hormone testing, gastrointestinal function stool testing and comprehensive blood testing, in addition to a wide range of other tests. He preferably uses natural medicines for treatment of various health conditions, but will also combine pharmaceutical care as required. Dr Millar enjoys motivating patients to make simple but powerful changes their stress levels, nutritional intake, lifestyle and general health to restore optimum wellness.
To make an appointment to see Dr Millar, click here
