Jacob Teitelbaum

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[edit] Summary

Jacob E. Teitelbaum, M.D. (b. 1952) is an American author and physician, best known for his contributions to medical research in the areas of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (CFS/FM). He has authored several books on treating CFS/FM, including the best-seller From Fatigued to Fantastic! (Avery Penguin Group, October 2007). He is Medical Director of the national Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, Inc. He also hosts a website and newsletter to provide medical advice for treating CFS/FM, and lifestyle guidance for achieving optimum vitality.

[edit] Biography

Jacob Teitelbaum was born April 21, 1952, in Cleveland, Ohio. His parents, Sabina and David, were Holocaust survivors who immigrated to the U.S. after World War II.

Dr. Teitelbaum excelled academically. He graduated from college in 1969 in only three years. In 1975, he was in his third year of medical school and second youngest in a class of over 200 students. During that time, he contracted a viral illness that left him barely able to function and almost too exhausted to get out of bed. His illness progressed to the point where he was forced to temporarily drop out of medical school to recover. Too ill to work, and no longer supported by a scholarship, he eventually found himself homeless, living out of his '65 Dodge Dart[1].

The experience proved to be a profound turning point in Dr. Teitelbaum's life, closing one chapter and opening other doors to new possibilities of self-exploration. With the help of friends and family, he eventually recovered the energy to finish medical school and residency. But the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia had not fully left him and the experiences provided a deep, first-hand appreciation of these illnesses. As a result, he dedicated his medical career to improving awareness and understanding of CFS/FM within the medical community, and providing effective treatment for patients who suffer from it. He now has nearly three decades of experience devoted exclusively to the research and treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia, and is widely regarded as one of the leading medical authorities in the field.

Dr. Teitelbaum is the lead author of groundbreaking "gold standard" research on effective treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia (published in the Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, volume 8, number 2, 2001). He has written several books on Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and pain management; designed nutritional supplements to help those suffering from these illnesses; and developed a patented diagnostic software tool to evaluate a patient and prescribe a treatment program tailored to their specific needs. He is also an internationally sought after speaker, frequently lecturing to patient, physician and research groups, and is a regularly quoted source for television, radio and print media on the topic of "Vitality 101."

In April 2002, Dr. Teitelbaum was editorialized in the Journal of the American Academy of Pain Management, where his integrative treatment protocol was recognized as "an excellent and highly effective part of the standard of practice" for Fibromyalgia and chronic muscle pain conditions.

Dr. Teitelbaum and his wife Laurie live in Hawaii. He continues to educate patients and health care practitioners through books and articles, his website, www.vitality101.com, monthly newsletters, and regular interviews.

[edit] Treatment protocols

Vitality 101 represents Dr. Teitelbaum's basic prescription for achieving optimal vitality. His graphic Vitality Pyramid displays the building blocks needed to promote optimal energy, health and mental well-being. At its base, the Vitality Pyramid identifies the need to "Build an Exceptional Nutritional Foundation". Next on the pyramid is the need to "Improve Quality of Restful Sleep," followed by the need to "Manage Excess Stress." Incorporating his tips at each plateau, one reaches "Optimum Vitality" at the top of the pyramid.

"SHINE" is an acronym Dr. Teitelbaum uses to summarize the five key areas that must be addressed to effectively treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. The SHINE treatment protocol focuses on Sleep, Hormones, Infections/Inflammation, Nutrition and Exercise. The SHINE approach forms the basis of Dr. Teitelbaum's online diagnostic and treatment program, which is widely used by patients and physicians around the world. Available on his web site, this patented program can analyze an individual's symptoms and tailor a treatment program for that specific case.

[edit] Books and publications

Dr. Teitelbaum has authored books, landmark research studies and numerous articles that have appeared in refereed medical journals as well as domestic and international newspapers and magazines.

His books include:

  • From Fatigued to Fantastic! (Avery Penguin Group, 1996, and 2007, third revised edition)
  • Three Steps to Happiness! Healing Through Joy (Deva Press, 2003)
  • Pain Free 1-2-3 (McGraw-Hill, 2005 and 2006 revised)

His publications in medical journals include:

  • "First Reported Case of Idiopathic Dilation of the Non-primary Pulmonary Artery," Chest (February 1978)
  • "Effective Treatment of Severe Chronic Fatigue States - A Report of a Series," Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain: Winter 1995 (Vol. 3, Issue 4); p91-110
  • "Effective Treatment Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia - A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study," Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: 2001 (Vol. 8, Number 2)
  • "Effective Treatment of CFS and Fibromyalgia with D-Ribose". JACM. Volume 12, #9, 2006, pp. 857-862

[edit] Education and Board Certification

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Teitelbaum, J., From Fatigued to Fantastic!, page xviii, Avery Penguin Group, 2007