I deeply believe that each and every one of our bodies are powerful forms of nature that have the ability to live resiliently and function optimally, when given the right conditions. I practice naturopathic medicine with focus on the prevention of disease, the encouragement of the body’s inherent healing abilities, and the education of health-promoting lifestyles. My practice blends centuries-old knowledge of natural, nontoxic therapies with current scientific knowledge. My scope of practice includes all aspects of family care, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and all-natural medicine modalities.

1. Remove Obstacles to Health. The first step in returning to health is to remove the entities that disturb health such as poor diet, digestive disturbances, chronic stress levels, maladaptive coping mechanisms, inadequate sleep, and exercise. Naturopathic doctors create patient plans based on an individual’s “obstacles to health” in order to change and improve the terrain in which the disease developed. This allows additional therapeutics to have the most beneficial impact.

2. Stimulate the Self-Healing Mechanisms. NDs use therapies to stimulate and strengthen the body’s innate self-healing and curative abilities. These therapies may include clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, constitutional hydrotherapy, homeopathy, mind-body medicine, and acupuncture.

3. Restore Weakened Systems. Naturopathic medicine recognizes and honors the interconnectedness of the body’s organ systems. NDs will identify imbalance and work to restore optimal function.

4. Correct Structural Integrity. Physical modalities such as spinal manipulation, massage therapy, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise, and craniosacral therapy are used to maintain and improve the musculoskeletal system.

5. Use Natural Substances to Restore and Regenerate. Naturopathic medicine’s primary objective is health restoration. When a specific pathology must be addressed, NDs prioritize safe and effective natural substances that minimize toxicity or additional burden on an already distressed system.

6. Use Pharmacologic Substances to Halt Progressive Pathology. NDs are trained in pharmacology and how to use pharmaceutical drugs when necessary. They are experts in identifying drug-herb and drug nutrient interactions as well. As jurisdictional scope permits, NDs prescribe or refer to medical colleagues as appropriate.

7. Use High Force, Invasive Therapies. When necessary, NDs can refer for more invasive therapies like surgery. NDs work as part of a health care team to support optimal patient outcomes. They may recommend therapies that minimize side effects and enhance the efficacy of more invasive treatments.