In her new book, Dr. Taz Bhatia helps women find an individualized approach to better health
Move over, Dr. Oz; there’s a new famous physician on the scene. In case you haven’t already caught her appearances on national TV shows such as The Today Show and Good Morning America, meet Atlanta’s own Dr. Tasneem “Taz” Bhatia. She’s a holistic health expert, acupuncturist, nutrition specialist and founder of the CentreSpring MD integrative medicine center, as well as a wife and mother of two young children.
Today, Bhatia looks like the picture of health, but it hasn’t always been that way. In her 20s, she was gaining weight, battling acne and losing her hair. Frustrated by doctors who weren’t able to help, Bhatia, then a medical resident, began searching for answers. She went beyond the conventional health care system and studied traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and ayurveda. Combining tenets from each helped Bhatia solve her own health issues, inspiring her to become certified in integrative and holistic medicine.
In 2009, she opened her own integrative medicine practice, CentreSpring MD, in Brookhaven. Now, with her new book, Superwoman Rx, she’s helping other women get healthy and energized, and rediscover their “superpowers.”
What made you decide to go into medicine?
I loved science and people, so it was a natural way to merge the two together. I came into the field truly wanting to impact children’s health. Images of children suffering were unfortunately stuck in my mind from one of my first trips to India at age 10, and at some level, those images became a driving force.
How does integrative medicine differ from conventional medicine?
Integrative medicine takes a whole-body approach, meaning that everything from nutrition to your mental health all factor into your overall health. We don’t just tackle one problem at one time. We work hard to connect all the dots and put the pieces together. For example, if you come into my practice, you may leave with a diet plan, exercise plan, supplement recommendations, orders for physical therapy, X-rays or an MRI, and maybe a medication. It is intense, but the results are amazing.
Why do you think today’s “superwomen” in particular experience so many health problems?
I think women today are at a unique point in history. Our predecessors paved the way for us to do anything we want, at least in this country. However, when we take on multiple roles and become the breadwinners while still being nurturing and mothering, it creates an unprecedented level of stress. Our bodies tell our story, and we are setting the stage for disease, mental health disturbances, gut issues and hormone imbalances. Compound that with a food industry that’s not helping us but instead adding to the burden of disease, and we have the perfect equation for superwomen meltdowns.
How does what you call “power typing” help women treat their particular health issues?
Power typing connects women back to themselves— their essence, their personality, their physical and emotional needs. The power types [in Superwoman Rx] amass the loads of information from old and new, and from East and West systems of medicine to provide women with a comprehensive plan to approach their health and their lives, bringing them the power they need to be able to “power through.”
What’s one small step you’d suggest every woman take to feel better and more in control of her health?
Get in sync with your body. Many of us get caught up in caring for others. It’s important to take even a few minutes every day to dial into your own body through breathing exercises or meditation.
STORY: Locke Hughes
