Education is essential to help one grow and become empowered. Patients have the right to know their options, ask questions without fear or guilt, and have their questions answered before consenting to a treatment plan that is right for them. As a physician who is passionate about sharing knowledge, I have made it my mission to provide education and opportunities for learning through patient visits, seminars, blogs and whatever means I can use to engage those who want to be empowered!

Physical exams are essential to holistic healthcare and prevention of disease. When done by your physician, head to toe exams provide diagnostic clues and critical information about your health that may not otherwise be uncovered by questioning or laboratory tests. Annual physicals are important for screening and prevention; however, more specific exams should also be done when required (e.g., an abdominal exam should be done when there is stomach pain).

Acupuncture is an ancient traditional Chinese medical technique where fine needles are used to stimulate energy flow or “qi” (pronounced chee) and to help restore the body’s natural balance. Over thousands of years, acupuncture has been used to effectively treat many conditions from allergies to ankle sprains. Traditional Chinese Medicine incorporates a unique diagnostic system including tongue and pulse readings as well as taking into account an individual’s entire symptom picture.

Bowen is a gentle physical manipulation technique that I've found to help balance the nervous system. Bowen seems to reboot our system, similar to rebooting and refreshing a stalled computer with too many operations running. The results I've found are less pain, more joint mobility, better stress coping, clarity and improved function, overall.

As naturopathic doctors, we are trained in several aspects of physical medicine including osseous manipulations (chiropractic adjustments), soft tissue manipulations, exercise and rehab therapies and Traditional Chinese cupping techniques. All these tools help with resolution of spinal and postural misalignments, reduction of muscular tension and overall strengthening of the musculoskeletal system to help decrease pain, increase range of motion and improve performance and function.

In herbal medicine, Eastern and Western medicinal plants and herbs are used to treat various mental and physical conditions from depression to heart disease to foot fungus. Specific parts of these plants (roots, bark, leaves, flowers, etc.) are harvested. Medicinal components from these plants are extracted in a certain way to make supplements, tinctures (alcoholic extractions), infusions (water based extractions), poultices or other medicines.

Nutrients are critical for optimal health. Nutrients are necessary because they provide building blocks for proper immune and hormonal function, athletic enhancement, wound repair, and much more. Food from a healthy diet of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, proteins and fats is our primary source of nutrients. A review of a patient’s diet through dietary journals can help identify areas of improvement for optimization of health and weight management.

Certain medical conditions require extra supplementation of vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fats, probiotics and other nutrients, which cannot be consumed in high enough quantities through diet alone. Any unbalanced state including stress, infection, injury, lack of nutrients or sleep, or even disturbed mood can greatly benefit from individualized supplement therapy – often on a short term basis.

Intravenous (IV) therapy provides direct supplementation of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients into the bloodstream via injection. Unlike oral supplementation, IV therapy bypasses the digestive system and allows for direct and rapid access of nutrients to those cells directly in need.

Homeopathy is a form of medicine that was discovered over 200 years ago by an MD named Samuel Hahnemann. The remedies are individualized, taking into account all aspects of a person's unique symptoms. When prescribed by a trained professional, homeopathic medicines may be very effective and safe for all ages. Homeopathy may be particularly useful for common conditions such as colds, post-surgical wound healing, aches and pains, as well as common complaints of pregnancy.

Optimal health is achieved through teamwork and support. Anything worth achieving requires a level of commitment that can be challenging. As your naturopathic physician, I will be there to listen to you, keeping in mind that the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life are intricately connected. I will also provide guidance and support through all of your challenges as well as be there to celebrate all of your successes.

As a naturopathic physician, I like to use a spectrum of treatments from more natural interventions to using pharmaceutical medications so that I can treat my patients accordingly. I have taken additional training and I am licensed to prescribe a wide range of pharmaceutical medications, from antibiotics to blood pressure medication.