Dr. Ivan Rusilko, an osteopathic physician and founder of Lifestyle Medicine, has been practicing in Miami for over ten years. His advocacy for healthy lifestyle changes to address chronic diseases has made him a linchpin in the longstanding Miami wellness craze.
The Philosophy of Lifestyle Medicine
Dr. Rusilko’s holistic approach to medicine addresses patient care beyond the clinic. In an interview with Breathe Miami, Dr. Rusilko describes lifestyle medicine as “a form of medicine that combines the total self, which would be your mentality, your physicality, and your emotionality.”
In other words, during consultations with his patients, Dr. Rusilko examines each individual as a whole, including factors such as environmental stresses and sleep habits. “All those different things which play into your emotional self, are just as important as what your diagnostic says,” he asserts.
Frustrated with the limitations of traditional medicine, Dr. Rusilko founded Lifestyle Medicine in South Florida in 2011. According to the Lifestyle website, some of his contributions include being the first physician to bring IV nutrition to South Beach. He has also implemented hyperbaric therapy, NAD therapy, peptide therapy, and sexual health treatments in South Beach before these therapies were considered mainstream medical treatments.
Joining the Miami Fitness Hotspot
When Dr. Rusilko chose Miami to establish his practice, he was attracted to more than the city’s sunshine and bikini reputation. In his interview with Breathe Miami, he saw the relaxed atmosphere and cultural focus on fitness as the best location to promote lifestyle medical practices.
“And for the medicine… here you’re walking around naked half of your life, what better place to portray a fitness-based medicine or a fitness-based approach to medicine?” Dr. Rusilko commented. “All those things added up to why Miami was a perfect spot for me.”
Since moving his practice to Miami, Dr. Rusilko has cemented his place in the wellness community. According to Austin American Statesman, his personalized consultations have contributed to the creation of a wellness lifestyle and community within the area.
When he consults with his patients, Dr. Rusilko makes it clear that he wants to address more than the basic symptoms. “On the other hand, I tell my patients, I want to know more about you than God does,” he states. “I’m not a medical drug dealer, I try to actually fix a problem.”
The Science of Lifestyle Medicine
Beyond a local wellness craze, lifestyle medicine has been developing greater acceptance within the medical community. A paper published by The Permanent Journal, found in the National Library of Medicine archives, discusses the impact of lifestyle choices on chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
The paper finds that more than 80% of chronic conditions could be avoided through the adoption of healthy lifestyle recommendations. Lifestyle changes that the majority of patients are nonadherent to include healthy eating, active living, and healthy weight. Emotional resilience, which was another factor that the researchers measured, was found to have a 50% adherence rate.
Other Treatments Offered by Dr. Rusilko’s Practice
Taking the holistic approach, Dr. Rusilko’s Lifestyle Medicine practice also utilizes traditional healthcare treatments. These include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, exosome therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. By combining these therapies with lifestyle coaching, Dr. Rusilko hopes to address illnesses in his patients from all angles.
In his interview with Breathe Miami, Dr. Rusilko speaks on his ambitions for his patients. “After treating them from six to eight months they should be able to come off of the program, and not go back to where they were,” he states. “Their bodies are functioning at a much higher level because now they’ve learned how to eat, how to sleep, how to hydrate, their hormones are maximized, and their nutrition is great.”
As more fitness fans flock to the Lifestyle Medicine clinic, Dr. Rusilko remains a large fixture of Miami’s unique lifestyle culture.
