Dr. Blair Cushing

07/27/2025

As many of my physician colleagues worry about how AI will encroach on their jobs and make them less relevant, I am ever more appreciative of my osteopathic training. I truly believe that those of us who bring a "high touch" approach to our practice of medicine will remain irreplaceable because these are the uniquely human aspects of healing that machines can never replicate. Not to mention, it's always incredibly satisfying to perform a quick adjustment that immediately alleviates discomfort while the patient is left wondering what I even did because it felt like I barely touched them!

The number of osteopathic doctors has increased dramatically. People still don’t know what they are.

07/16/2025

I've personally seen multiple patients in the hospital this year for likely supplement-induced acute liver failure (not limited to tumeric). It's so important to understand exactly WHAT you are taking. But with most over-the-counter supplements, that's nearly impossible due to the lesser regulation they are subject to.

Knowing the source and a brand's product standards is critical. Dietary supplements can be powerful and do have a place, but also require a clear plan for how to use them safely (dose, duration, timing, contraindications, etc.).

New Jersey resident Katie Mohan says her daily turmeric supplements gave her ‘impending liver failure’

05/22/2025

Repaying a small fraction what he took under false premises + 10 years seems incredibly inadequate for the irreversible harm he inflicted on so many. They placed trust in him as a physician and he violated that relationship with total disregard for their lives. It's shocking to me that this isn't a bigger story.

I pride myself on providing patients with complete information to make the best decisions for themselves and transparent pricing so no one should ever have to wonder about the true cost for seeking care. My doors are open to anyone harmed by this man seeking help to restore their wellbeing.

Mission Doctor Jorge Zamora-Quezada sentenced to 10 years for $240M healthcare fraud and money laundering scheme, ordered to pay $28M restitution.

05/11/2025

Texas farmers standing up for regulations to benefit ALL OF US. 👏 There is no "excessive cost" when it comes to protecting the health of the public. We're literally sacrificing lives to turn a blind eye on this.

The group from Johnson County waited 18 hours to testify at a hearing that started at 1 a.m. on a bill to limit toxic chemicals in fertilizer.

04/07/2025

Personally, I'm caring for quite a few patients well under the age of 50 with colorectal cancers. Research to help us better understand WHY - and how to intervene earlier - is absolutely essential.

04/03/2025

In general, I rarely would recommend a patient to supplement with creatine. For those who are simply looking to sustain or improve overall health, research from Australia seems to show no substantial benefit over a 12 week period. For true athletic performance, your needs may vary.

People looking to build muscle with the help of a creatine supplement might be disappointed by new research suggesting it has little to no impact when taken at the recommended dosage. New research led by UNSW has found that taking the popular sports supplement creatine does not lead to faster mus

03/22/2025

Optimizing our health + supporting our own immune system is ALWAYS the best defense. But in some cases, it is also our ONLY defense.

New cases of a dangerous, drug-resistant fungus have been identified in at least two states’ hospital systems.

03/03/2025

My McAllen office remains open and telemedicine services are also available to care for patients anywhere in Texas. Prices are deliberately transparent, affordable rates and we routinely treat those unable to pay free of charge. Please do not let finances or lack of insurance be a reason to delay needed care!

Some had to close or lay off staff. Others lost grants for HIV prevention.

01/17/2025

Wishing you could find an in-person doctor's visit that works with your schedule? The office will be open for regular business hours on Monday, January 20 with plenty of appointment slots still available!

Wishing everyone a peaceful MLK Day spent in community and uplifting one another. ❤️🕊️☮️
** Pic from a peace memorial in Tokyo built to honor those who died during WWII air raids on the city.

12/05/2024

Currently 3.5 weeks in on an elimination diet as part of my Functional Medicine training course. It hasn't been easy, but I've learned a TON about nutrition and healthy substitutions. As I'm early in the reintroduction phase, it has me considering which of these new habits are things I'll plan to sustain in the future even beyond the "prescribed" restriction period.

Pic of my experiment with chocolate-like pancakes today. Gluten-free, sugar-free mix made with a flax egg, almond milk, and some carob powder (a cocoa alternative) just to see what would happen. 100% maple syrup + berries, of course. Not bad! 😋👩🏻‍🍳

10/15/2024

Every single day I seem to come across more information about the incredible health benefits of meditation. So much so that we should probably all be considering it part of our basic hygiene routine similar to bathing or brushing our teeth. A cleanse of your mind that also profoundly impacts your physical wellbeing and how we show up in life.

Feeling like you "can't" meditate or the idea of just sitting in stillness feels pretty unattainable right now?
Keep in mind that there are many paths to get there and many techniques that can be taught, but definitely no single *right* way.

Personally, I find using a tool like this incense waterfall to be incredibly helpful. Watching it evolve and flow draws my attention in so much that everything else seems to melt away. Feels like a luxurious mental release to fall into meditation this way when the monkey mind was just not letting it happen otherwise! 🐒

What kind of meditation or mindfulness practices have been helpful for your mental hygiene?

09/21/2024

Travel work in New Mexico this week. Had a patient with severe, chronic lower back pain who could barely tolerate lying on the exam table.
I treated her with a pelvic release OMT technique pre- procedure to help her feel more comfortable.
"I don't know what kind of voodoo you just did, but I feel no pain there now!"
Repeat treatment post-procedure and she told me she was "standing upright to walk for the first time in six months." 🙌

After witnessing this, one of my assistants demanded I treat her upper back and neck. Which was done in the hallway outside an exam room and finished in the parking lot after work. All super gentle, but she could immediately feel herself breathing better and with increased blood flow to her head and arms.

I take a lot of pride in being able to treat anyone of any age and any condition as a family doc, especially when I have some extremely simple techniques that can create change like this in SECONDS. Come see me in person at my McAllen office and find out what Osteopathic Manipulation can do for you. ❤️