Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 5/21/2008

Question
My friend has many lipomas all over his body. He was wondering if there were any holistic remedies. Do you know of anything outside of surgery that might give him some relief? Do they return if surgery is resorted to?  Thank you so much.

Answer
Hello Nancy
Thank you for your interest.  Conventional medicine treatment for lipomas is a good example of treating just the symptom, without addressing the cause.  Without finding out what that is, it is likely the condition will return.  Without a full assessment, it's difficult to say what they cause is exactly for him.  But in many people with lipomas, they are able to find some relief from completing a comprehensive detoxification program.  Once their bodies are eliminating better, they no longer need to create lipomas, and the condition changes.  For best resulting doing this, I'd suggest your friend see a naturopathic doctor (www.naturopathic.org)--we are the only practioners who have extensive training in the subject.  There are some holistic MDs, DOs or chiropractors who specialize in this area, as well, but it's not standard training for them so he should check their background in the subject.  He can do some of this on his own, but for a more involved condition like his, it would be best to have some professional guidance first.  
Thanks for writing!
Dr Conner