How Biography Becomes Biology

The Connecticut Naturopathic Physicians Association (CNPA) is holding their 9th Annual CNPA Conference in Hartford, CT.  Dr. Epstein is one of the selected speakers for this conference.

The title of his presentation is: How Biography Becomes Biology: Childhood Trauma and Adult Disease

Dis-ease tells a story, not just of the cells (biology) but of the self (biography). We need to listen to, and integrate, both stories in our clinical care.

Stress is a contributing factor in illness. The latest research is confirming and expanding on this idea in ways that can, and should, revolutionize our treatment approach.

Research into the impact of childhood trauma on adult disease reveals a deeper relationship than previously recognized between adverse childhood events, stress and trauma and chronic diseases in adulthood. Biography can and does influence our biology. There is a growing realization of importance of effectively and skillfully integrating this knowledge into the practice of medicine.

I will explain the theories and current research regarding how biography becomes biology, describe a practical process for “connecting the cell and the self” in clinical practice.

The essence of this presentation is that in our approach to treatment, there is a need to heal the biography and cure the biology – emphasizing that it is not either or, we need both. In fact, when we heal the biography, often we unlock the cure (by finding a missing puzzle piece) for the biology.