Dr Dimitri Vlachos
Dr Dimitrios Denis Vlachos
Izimvo has the pleasure of introducing Homeopathic practitioner, Dr Dimitri Vlachos.
Dr Dimitrios Denis Vlachos, better know as Doc or just plain Dimitri, was born on 19 March 1970 in Johannesburg and grew up in the once booming mining town of Westonaria. Son of a successful Greek Immigrant father and English mother, Dimitri is deeply entrenched and proud of his Greek culture and roots.
After completing his seven-year homeopathic degree at Wits University he specialised in numerous off shoots of Homeopathy like Chinese medicine and Acupuncture, Chelation Therapy to name but a few.
Today Dimitri is married to Marcelle Reis Vlachos where they live in Bryanston with their children (a.k.a pets) Titan and Milo (Pugs), Lexie (Swiss shepherd), Poppet (a Pug-wanna-be) and finally Lico, a miniature wolf disguised as a cat.
Dimitri was kind enough to answer the following questions for us.
Personal
Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.
A: Dimitri Vlachos, almost 40, self-employed in the alternative healing space; interesting fact: ex-computer programmer.
Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.
A: Owned video arcade machines and made money out of them.
Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?
A: Gardening and a cooking enthusiast.
Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you want it to be?
A: Dream home would be a place on the beach some where like in Zimbali on the Natal coast and or Oubaai/George.
This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property
Homeopathy in South Africa
Q: Can you tell us about some of the key differences between homeopathy and conventional medicine?
A: Homeopathy on the whole treats the cause and not the symptom adopting the approach of treating like with like; unlike allopathic (conventional) medicine where opposites are treated.
Q: What is the current state of homeopathy in South Africa? Are we on par with the rest of the world?
A: Given technology of today the world is small place and therefore knowledge travels and is shared all that more quickly. South Africa is the only country in the world where homeopathy professional qualification is on par with medical qualification in the sense that medics and homeopaths share the same first 3 years of lectures where after they focus on alternative therapies homeopathy, naturopathy, chinese medicine, acupuncture etc
Q: What resources would you recommend for those wanting to learn more about homeopathy?
A: The Science of Homeopathy by George Vitholkis
Q: Are visits to a homeopath covered by all medical aids? Are there any limitations that people need to be aware of?
A: Yes and no – depends on the rates charged out by each practitioner. Each medical aid has their own rules around this.
Q: How important is detoxification?
A: Crucial. Chinese medicine regards digestion and liver as beginning and end of your health. Healthy gut and healthy liver=health.
Q: There have been a number of health and diet trends over recent years. Are you noticing any new trends emerge?
A: The trend at the moment is the integration of allopathic medicine with alternative medicine i.e. taking the science and biochemistry, physiology and combining it with the Chinese medical wisdom of interconnectedness of all the organs, particularly the balance of the gastrointestinal and liver.
Life in South Africa
Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?
A: yes to being affected by crime both directly and indirectly. However it has not changed my perception about SA – albeit we have certainly beefed up our security. I still have hope.
Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?
A: Yes – probably to the States.
Q: If you had the opportunity to sit down with the president, what advice would you offer him?
A: Nothing except that he is doing a fine job…
Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?
A: Mezepolis Greek restaurant at Melrose Piazza (JHB), Natal midlands and the Mhondoro Game Lodge.
Life in Johannesburg
Q: What is your favorite Greek restaurant in or around Johannesburg?
A: Mezopolis at Merlrose Piazza.
Q: Favorite outdoor venue for those perfect summer afternoons?
A: My patio – I enjoy my home and entertaining.
Q: What are the greatest benefits on living in Johannesburg?
A: The drama and chaos that pulsates in JHB.
General
Q: If you could offer our readers one piece of advice regarding their general health, what would it be?
A: Stop stressing. Stress is a killer.
Q: If you were able to pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?
A: Wayne Dyer because of his humility and insight into human nature.
Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?
A: Wayne Dyer’s Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.
Q: Favorite South African brand?
A: Amstel.
We’d like to thank Dimitri for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future.
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