Live, Work & Play in Escondido

To say the experience was fascinating would be an understatement. Kinesiology is described as the study of the principles of mechanics and anatomy in relation to human movement. Applied Kinesiology is more accurately defined as a non-invasive method, using muscle testing feedback and body awareness. This method can help reduce stress and pain, improve performance at school, work and home, as well as in sports and relationships; and promotes general health and well being. Practitioners combine the teachings of Chinese Chi and communication skills in Applied Kinesiology.

While researching for this article, I discovered countless major colleges and universities throughout the United States and Europe offering Degrees in Kinesiology, including our very own California State University San Marcos (CSUSM). Many Kinesiologists are engaged in Sports Medicine and Diet Training for professional athletes. I also found this quote to be quite apropos:

“Before healing come searching, trying and believing.” 

~ Darina Stoyanova ~

Having the opportunity to share Dr. Jacobs’ story of his metamorphic change (i.e.;”retryment”) from a traditional family practitioner to holistic medicine is a true privilege.

EM: When did you first begin practicing medicine?

Dr. Jacobs: “I opened my practice in 1959 as a family doctor. I completed medical school in 1958 and following a year of residency training in pulmonary medicine entered practice as a family doctor in Escondido Sept. 3, 1959.”

How long did you practice traditional medicine before switching to holistic concepts?

“I attended a conference in Pasadena where a chiropractor, Dr. John Thie, was the speaker. [H]e discussed his recent book on Applied Kinesiology, Touch for Health (TFH). Dr. Thie was from Pasadena. I first met him at the conference in San Diego that headlined Elizabeth Kubler-Ross where Dr. Thie once again was a speaker along with Elizabeth Kubler Ross, the famous author of many books on death and dying. I was fascinated with how Dr. Thie handled hecklers from the audience with such calm and purpose.

“After acquiring TFH, I began studying the techniques and philosophy of Applied Kinesiology, spending eight years doing so, before attempting to use it on any of my patients…because it was so weird.

“My first patient was a woman with a ‘frozen shoulder.’ She could not move her arm up or down and was in extreme pain. I took out my syringe and gave her a shot of cortisone and nothing happened. The woman was still in pain and couldn’t move her arm. I decided it was time to try what I had been studying so long to see if I could do what others were able to, using Applied Kinesiology.

After asking my patient if she knew anything about Chinese medicine, and for her permission to use Applied Kinesiology, the technique worked. The woman moved her arm up and down and around without pain. From then on, I began using the techniques I had learned from my studies on the usual aches and pains of my patients with success.”

What was the determining factor in your making the change from traditional Medicine to Applied Kinesiology?

“When I realized that working as a traditional physician I, the doctor, am expected to know what is ailing the patient, and must prescribe a cure, which places a tremendous burden of responsibility on the doctor. Whereas Applied Kinesiology provides the patient with the knowledge of being able to tell the doctor what is wrong, and the doctor can then work toward a cure.”

How did your former peers look upon your switch to Applied Kinesiology?

“Most were very skeptical and some remain so, but nurses and teachers warm up to the concepts and techniques quite quickly. I do have doctors come to me, but to the back door, never to the front.”

In your view, has the use of holistic medicine increased in this country?

“Oh yes! I am now teaching a class of young student doctors at the University of California, San Diego Medical School (UCSD) in what we call “Integrative Medicine” of which Applied Kinesiology is a part. Integrative Medicine explores and trains doctors in better communication techniques with their patients.

“I am on the Board of Directors of the Touch for Health Foundation, and have become a world traveler, teaching TFH throughout Europe, where Applied Kinesiology techniques are covered with health insurance for the patients in need.”

What effect has your change to holistic medicine had on your personal life?

“I eat more, play more, enjoy life more, and am relieved of not having the stress of being responsible for my patients’ ailments and am happy when I can help them!”

Dr. Jacobs is a true example of what reinventing yourself can do to improve your life and those around you. We hope if retryment is not in your life now, it will be in the future.

**If you or someone you know is actively involved in Retryment, please contact me at Hanson Commercial Real Estate, 760.233.5374 or  bill@billeffinger.com so we can share the story with others in a future issue. EM

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