Dr. Vladimir Turovskiy

Dr. Vladimir
Turovskiy

From the rigors of the Russian Army to the splendor of the Turnberry Isle Miami resort, Dr. Vladimir Turovskiy has evolved into one of South Florida’s foremost integrative medicine physicians, blending acupuncture, supplementation, lifestyle changes, and other therapies to treat patients of all ages.

“I call it the four Is—intensive, inclusive, individual, and involved,” says Turovskiy, whose Center for Integrative Medicine has two offices in Aventura, Florida, including one in the Turnberry Isle Miami Spa and Fitness center, and a third location in North Miami Beach. “Treatments, whether traditional or nontraditional, are put together inclusively to create an individual plan for each patient, whether that person is here for thyroid and hormone imbalances, chronic pain, obesity, or whatever the case may be.”

He also treats headaches, anxiety and depression, insomnia, allergies, arthritis, neurological issues, and many other conditions.

“We want the treatment plan to be intense so that it delivers the greatest possible results in the shortest amount of time,” he says. “From day one when a patient comes in, they’re involved in every decision surrounding their treatment based on time, financial preferences, and medical recommendations. They also have to be involved by actively participating in their own care, which includes daily dietary and lifestyle adjustments that I refer to as ‘homework.’ That’s integrative medicine to me, and it’s what I’ve been doing for more than 20 years.”

Turovskiy’s Training

Turovskiy moved to the United States in 1993 after serving in the military and later working as a sports therapist and rehabilitation specialist for Russian ballet dancers and elite athletes. He attended medical school in Moscow and studied Oriental medicine, including acupuncture, herbs, and massage, in Florida.

“Training in the Soviet Union created a uniformity because if you had anything to do with health—acupuncture, chiropractor, massage, nursing, physical therapy, and so on—you went to medical school. Anyone other than a doctor studied at a junior level, but everyone started with the same training and then specialized later, so it qualified you to work alongside other practitioners for the best interest of the patient.

“Once a day we would meet for about an hour—everyone in the hospital from the surgeon to the acupuncturist to the massage therapist—and share how each patient’s treatment was progressing,” he says, recalling his time at the Central Institute of Trauma and Orthopedics in Moscow. “We’d discuss what was working and what needed to change for the patient to get the best outcome.”

That teamwork is what taught him to incorporate a variety of treatments into his current practice, ranging from supplements that boost stress tolerance to cold laser therapy that activates the body’s anti-inflammatory response.

Dr. Vladimir Turovskiy’s Supplement Recommendations

The integrative health practitioner, who takes vitamin D, a probiotic, turmeric, and omega-3 fatty acids, recommends these seven supplements as a starting point for most people:

• Food concentrate supplement containing greens and berries.
• Mineral supplements, including magnesium, zinc, and calcium.
• Probiotic to improve intestinal health.
• Vitamin D (even in regions with a sunny climate).
• Omega-3 fatty acids.
• Adaptogenic herbs, such as rhodiola, to help the body withstand stress.
• Collagen to support and repair connective tissue.

A Successful Outcome

Successful outcomes are achieved and maintained when a doctor doesn’t stop at treating just one symptom, Turovskiy says, referring to a recent case of a woman in her 70s who initially sought acupuncture treatment for pain.

“This is a perfect example of integrative medicine. She came in for one thing, and then said, ‘Oh, by the way, I want to talk to you about another problem. I’ve been depressed for the past year and a half. I feel very down and I just don’t feel like doing anything.’

“In addition to recommending an amino acid called L-tryptophan, which improves sleep and mood, I sent her for extensive bloodwork, and sure enough, her thyroid was off. It’s a pretty typical story because her doctor had said her tests were normal and that she was fine, but there’s more than just one measurement when evaluating the thyroid.”

The patient used Life Extension^® supplements to boost L-tryptophan (mood) and iodine (thyroid function), along with acupuncture and exercise to elevate mood and manage other symptoms.

“After about three months, she was back to being her cheerful, productive self,” the doctor says. “She continues to follow these recommendations and come in for acupuncture for support. This is what the Center for Integrative Medicine is all about. First you diagnose a symptom, and then you look at the patient as a whole to see why that symptom started in the first place.”

Inspired By His Mother’s Illness

Turovskiy, who exercises six days a week running, doing calisthenics, or lifting weights, has been using and recommending Life Extension supplements for 15 years.

“Quality is the main reason why I use Life Extension,” he says. “I feel that the company holds itself to a higher standard because it sells directly not only to consumers but also to health care providers. There’s feedback from both sides. I also know what to expect, as far as results, because of the extensive research that’s involved.”

The youngest son of a scientist and schoolteacher, Turovskiy, 47, was inspired to become an integrative medicine practitioner—and especially eager to learn acupuncture—after seeing his mother get help for a neurological condition that conventional medicine failed to treat.

“My mom had severe attacks of dizziness, and it was traumatic for me as a child because I never knew if she would come home or if the paramedics would have to respond,” he says. “After about a month in the hospital, they told her there was nothing more they could do, so they said, ‘There’s some crazy doctor here who does something on the side with needles, so maybe she can help you. Good luck.’ She had acupuncture treatment on and off for about three years, and it resolved many of her symptoms. I was impressed and wanted to learn to do it myself.”

Turovskiy adds that he often shares his mother’s story with patients who want a quick fix.

“If I told patients that I could cure cancer with acupuncture, but that it was going to take three years, I probably could close my doors,” he says jokingly. “Most people who come here want instant gratification, but then they’ll take a prescription drug forever. I try to help them see that the body is an incredible machine that can heal itself from within if we properly feed and support it, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes guidance from the doctor and commitment from the patient.”

In addition to traditional acupuncture, Turovskiy offers treatments with a microcurrent stimulator, a needle-free option that uses electrical conductivity on acupuncture points.

“It’s a very unique approach, and many patients like the technology because they can look at graphics on the computer screen and see exactly where their electrical imbalances are,” he says, adding that acupuncture works well not only for pain but also for stress, smoking cessation, appetite control, and sexual dysfunction.

“Acupuncture isn’t about needles. It’s about the proper selection of points on the skin and the movement of energy. Symptoms are always the result of an internal imbalance, a disruption in the life force, the energy. Acupuncture is the backbone of almost all of my treatments.”

Accepting Alternative Treatments

Tammy Pahel, spa director at Turnberry Isle Miami, says the increased acceptance of alternative therapies make Turovskiy’s practice a perfect fit for the resort, which serves nearly a thousand members and also is open to the public.

“We’re trying to get the word out to the community and beyond—we have guests from around the world—that we offer a warm, relaxing environment, not a medical one, and having the Center for Integrative Medicine here means you can do much more towards improving your health than just getting a massage or facial.”

Turovskiy, who views health care as more of a passion than a profession, says his goal is to be an overall wellness partner, which can’t be achieved in today’s typical 10-minute office visit with a conventional doctor.

“I do a lot of coaching and consulting on nutrition and supplements, and I take the time to get to know my patients and ask questions that may reveal an unexpected reason for their symptoms,” he says. “I want to not only treat those symptoms but also help people live longer, happier, more productive lives. The best way to do that is to support the body’s natural ability to heal from within.”

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension^® Health Advisor at 1-866-864-3027.

For more information about Dr. Vladimir Turovskiy and the Center for Integrative Medicine, call 1-305-466-1977 or visit floridaintegrativemedicine.com.

For information on Turnberry Isle Spa, located at 19999 W. Country Club Dr.Miami, FL, visit turnberryislemiami.com/spa-and-fitness/ or call 1-305-933-6930.