Dr. Somner has been a practicing Doctor of Osteopathy since 1991. She is certified in cranial osteopathy by the Cranial Academy, board certified in general adult psychiatry, an associate examiner for the psychiatric board exam, board certified in anti-aging medicine, fellowship trained in anti-aging and was trained in medical acupuncture at UCLA School of Medicine. Since she completed her studies at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Seaford, New York and her post-graduate training, Dr. Somner has helped thousands of individuals improve their natural health. Dr. Somner believes that there is a relationship between a person’s health and their financial prosperity. She is passionate about educating individuals to achieve the freedom of abundant health and wealth.
The osteopathic care offered by Dr. Somner has been influenced by the following physicians:
Andrew Taylor Still, M.D. is the founder of the osteopathic profession. He lived and practiced medicine in the 1800’s. Despite the best allopathic care available, his first wife and child died along with all the children from his second marriage. While engaged in prayer, he had an epiphany that since God is perfect and man was made in God’s image, man must be perfect, as well. The principles of osteopathy were based on this revelation. These principles include viewing the body as a self-correcting, self-healing mechanism, an integrated whole and that structure and function are related.
Dr. William Garner Sutherland studied with Dr. Still. Dr. Sutherland believed that biomechanics affected the cranium just like any other part of the body. His studies revealed how the cranium, its connective tissue, the brain itself and the cerebrospinal fluid move in relation to the body. His landmark studies have revolutionized how osteopathy is practiced adding great depth to the understanding of the body and profound healing possibilities.
Dr. Robert Fulford was one of the original students of Dr. Sutherland. He disagreed with Dr. Sutherland’s belief in the fluid model. Instead, he proposed a fascial model. Dr. Fulford went on to expand his philosophy to include the life force energy. He used the percussion vibrator (hammer) to increase the energy across a fascial plane so that energy would be able to flow through it. He thought that energetic medicine was the medicine of the future. Dr. Fulford taught Dr. Somner to use the percussion vibrator. She learned to approach and think about health issues as they relate to principles of life force energy.
Dr. James Jealous teaches osteopathy with an emphasis on the fluid aspects and biodynamics of the body in relation to its embryology. He studied with Dr. Anne Wales, a student of Dr. Sutherland. He effectively teaches a technical approach to osteopathy in perfect alignment with the understanding of the founders of osteopathy.
Dr. Wilhelm Reich was the first western physician to “discover” the life energy through strictly scientific principles and observations. His contribution to the understanding of how energy functions, its pulsating nature and its effect on the human psyche and general health is indispensable information. This information is extremely useful in understanding the function of emotions and common experiences like anxiety and stress. Dr. Somner uses Dr. Reich’s understanding of energy on a daily basis in caring for her patients.
The above physicians have played a significant role in developing Dr. Somner’s healthcare philosophy and she is among the few that have studied both the fascial and the biodynamic models of treatment. She opened the Center for Holistic Psychiatry and Pain Management and chose it’s respective services based on the natural healing wisdom she gained from these thought leaders. Dr. Somner also incorporates other healing modalities, such as nutritional supplements, herbs and homeopathic remedies. These approaches foster the individual’s natural capacity to create wellness.
