Naturopathic Doctor
Licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) are primary health care doctors, graduate of a 4-year accredited naturopathic medical school, trained to use natural methods and when necessary conventional methods in preventing and treating disease.
Naturopathic doctors focus on treating the whole person and promoting health. They are trained to conventionally diagnose and treat disease using the most up-to-date laboratory technologies and imaging techniques. They can perform all routine medical exams and minor surgeries in the office, but may also refer patients to medical specialists for more specialized testing and intervention.
In some states including Oregon they can also prescribe pharmaceutical drugs if needed.
Primary Care
As a naturopathic primary care provider I can take care of your basic needs, perform physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, write prescriptions if needed, counsel on preventive health care (life style, diet, exercise, etc.), make sure that you receive proper care and coordinate with specialists if needed.
At this time we only provide primary care to patients who have EDS (Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) or HSD (Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder). We still see other patients for consult on different health issues. But they need to have their own PCP as we don’t offer PCP services for them.
Physical Exam
A physical exam or wellness check is a routine test used to check your overall health and make sure you don’t have any medical problems that you are unaware of. This exam provides information to determine your overall health status. Physical exams are recommended for everyone once a year.
Some jobs require a yearly physical exam, e.g. commercial motor vehicle drivers need to have an annual exam. It also may be needed to attend school, to participate in sports programs, as an insurances requirement and for immigration.
Standard Labs
Blood tests: Blood test are done to check for anemia, immune system, liver and kidney function, vitamin D level, cholesterol, etc.
Urinalysis: urinary tract infection, kidney problems, monitoring diabetes etc.
Stool test: Check for ova and parasite, bacteria, blood in stool, diseases of liver and pancreas, poor nutrient absorption, etc.
Breath test: used to check for H. pylori bacteria, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, etc.
More specialty tests:
Food sensitivity test: Abnormal responses to different components of foods can activate the immune system and lead to inflammation and leaky gut.
Saliva test: Check adrenal glands (stress glands) function by measuring cortisol and DHEA, 2 major hormones released by the gland.
I-Gene-X test is performed to check for the presence of Lyme disease.
Other lab tests can be ordered based on the needs of each individual patient.
Neurofeedback Treatment
Neurofeedback optimizes brain activity
Neurofeedback is direct training of brain function to self-regulate and work more efficiently. Like exercise for the body, neurofeedback is exercise for the brain. A dysregulated brain tends to be over-stimulated when it is supposed to be calm and under-stimulated when it is supposed to be attentive. When the brain doesn’t self-regulate, this dysregulation persists.
Neurofeedback addresses problems of brain dysregulation. These include conditions such as anxiety, depression, attention deficits, behavior disorders, various sleep disorders, headaches and migraines, seizures and autism spectrum. It can also help to maintain good brain function as people get older.
In a neurofeedback treatment session, sensors are placed to the scalp to capture brainwave activity. Computer processes the signal and extracts information about certain key brainwave frequencies. Some frequencies are promoted and others are diminished. The information is presented to the person in the form of a video game. The person is effectively playing the video game with his or her brain. Eventually the brainwave activity is shaped toward more desirable, more regulated performance.