An Intimate Conversation About Men's Health

My practice isn’t just about health. It’s about connection, about witnessing the profound resilience of the human spirit.

Image taken by me of a cardinal in my backyard

The snow outside my window fell in hushed waves, blanketing the world in quiet beauty. Cardinals flitted between branches, their vivid red feathers striking against the stark white of the first big winter snow. Two of my dogs came padding into the office, their tails wagging as they nestled near my feet, seeking the warmth of the room.

I began the call as I always do: “Hello Ted, are you ready for your consultation?” 

“You know it,” he began in a thick Virginian accent. “I wanted to thank you for our last call,” his voice trembled with the weight of both gratitude and vulnerability. “These prostate suppositories are helping me. I’m just really thankful. I’m glad my wife came across your website.”

I get comments like this all the time, but the emotion his words carried struck me.

“Well, I’m so glad too,” I replied, my heart already leaning in. “I remember you said you were in pain for many years.”

“Probably two years.” His tone sounded strained. “It started when my prostate began swelling a little. It wasn’t bad at first. Exercise helped. Then it got progressively worse, to the point where… well, I was about ready to jump off a bridge. When you can’t escape the pain, it’s… it’s rough.”

The silence that followed felt sacred. The raw honesty of his words lingered, their weight palpable. He wasn’t just speaking of physical pain; he was sharing the torment of a soul grappling with despair. Then he spoke again, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to spill my guts on you. I’m just trying to shoot you straight.”

“It’s an honor to hear your story,” I said softly. “I’m so glad you’re finding relief now.”

Photo taken by me on a winter day.

The conversation turned to other therapeutics—supplements, the enema series, and the nuances of self-care. “Many of my clients have benefitted from prostate massage,” I said.

“I’ve heard of that,” he said slowly, his southern drawl even more pronounced. “I’ve talked to men who’ve said their doctors had to milk their prostate. Is that what you’re talking about?”

“Right, but it doesn’t have to be a sterile experience. It can be deeply pleasurable and healing.” 

“You mean, I would…like…orgasm?”

“You can, yes. This is where sexual health and physical health entwine. Engaging the prostate more regularly can lead to better health overall.”

“Okay,” he said, and I wondered what he thought about my bluntness. All my life I’ve leaned into conversations that many people would shy away from, and this has served me as a health practitioner. I help people with things like constipation, anal fissures, and fecal incontinence, and many people I work with have never been able to discuss these things with others, the shame is so great. Simultaneously, the medical field has been so sterilized that interactions between patient and practitioner are expected to feel formal. Many of my clients are surprised to find me willing to have these types of conversations, and the space created for both of our humanity can be deeply healing.

“You can either do it on your own, or your wife can help you with it if she’s willing. Many people I’ve worked with have found great relief.”

“Interesting, yeah, I’d be curious to learn more. Maybe I’ll talk to her about it.” He laughed, perhaps from discomfort.

“I can share a book recommendation, as well as a video.” 

“Yeah, that would be great. Sorry, if this is weird to talk about.”

I smiled, though he couldn’t see it. “I like it. It’s my job.”

“Well I’m very grateful,” he said, his voice catching slightly. “I was in a bad way. Really bad. And now…well, now I’m not. Thank you. For everything.” 

We had traveled from the clinical to the personal. The intimacy was healing for both of us.

Photo taken by me of birds on a birdfeeder in my backyard.

“I'm so happy,” I said, grounded by the weight of witnessing his journey. “It’s wonderful to have you alive and thriving. Take good care of yourself.”

As I hung up the phone, I sat in stillness for a moment, reflecting on the reverence of such exchanges. My practice isn’t just about health. It’s about connection, about witnessing the profound resilience of the human spirit.

I leaned back in my chair, nudging Blue’s furry belly with my foot. Outside my window, the snow cast a serene glow over the day and the sparrows fought over spots at the feeders. Surrounded by nature’s emergence and the love of my canine companions, I felt the deep joy of knowing I had played a part in helping someone reclaim their life, a co-creation between two unique selves and the intimate cosmos.

Kristina Amelong has worked as a Certified Nutritional Consultant and Certified Colon Therapist for over 25 years. She is the owner of Optimal Health Network. Click here to schedule a phone consultation.

→ More information on natural remedies for prostate health can be found here.

You can preorder my upcoming memoir What My Brother Knew and explore more of my work at kristinaamelong.com.