Medical Consultations

Naturopaths are trained as general practitioners with a complete understanding and use of standards of care. What makes us different is an in-depth knowledge of nutrition, botanical medicine, supplementation, homeopathy and so much more.

All are welcome in my practice. Below is an overview of ways that my services may be helpful but it is in no way limited to these examples.

Please be aware that I practice as a naturopathic general practitioner and not as a primary care physician.

General Health

An ideal model of medicine focuses first on prevention. Making an appointment can be beneficial if you are in good health and looking to make sure you stay that way. Below are some of the things we may address at your visit:

Optimal diet and nutrition
Questions regarding vitamins and supplements
If and when lab work is necessary
A second opinion on treatment options presented by another provider

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Bioidentical hormones are similar to those produced naturally in the human body. As opposed to being lab made or animal derived, they are often extracted from plant material.

The use of hormone therapy can be highly beneficial to a comprehensive treatment plan when dosage, type and personal risk factors are taken into account.

Supplementation

Supplementation includes the use of vitamins, minerals, herbs or other non-food items to boost your overall health. I tend to have a moderate approach when it comes to taking these. You should know how they are interacting with your body as well as any possible short or long term risks.

Standard Medical Therapy

Medication is sometimes the best option for what you may be dealing with. I do prescribe both standard pharmaceuticals and those obtained at compounding pharmacies. Below are a few things to know about my prescribing:

I work as a specialist and not a primary care physician (PCP). Long term medications are usually managed by your PCP.
Compounded medications are often an exception to the above statement. There are a number of long term medications, such as bioidentical hormones and low dose Naltrexone, that some PCP's may not feel comfortable prescribing.

Lab Testing

General and specialty lab testing is one of the main reasons patients are drawn to naturopaths. Labs give a more complete understanding of what is going on. With some supplements, such as vitamin D, they are essential in making sure you are taking the right dosage.

If you are booking an appointment to discuss the possibly of obtaining labs through me, below are a few things you should know:

If you want to use insurance, call and confirm they will cover an out of network provider ordering the labs.
I no longer draw labs in office. I send you locally for this. I also work with a lab that allows you to purchase at flat rates and have them drawn at Providence Seaside.
Many specialty labs, including those testing hormones, neurotransmitters and gastrointestinal panels, often do not require blood draws. Most are collected by the patients in their own homes.

Adjunct Care

While some people choose to see only natural providers, a majority of patients use naturopaths as a complement to standard medical care. Examples of this include:

Nutrition counseling during chemotherapy
Acupuncture to support IVF
Expert advice on vitamins and supplements that do not interact with current medications or treatments