|
|| Home | || Site Map | || Appointments | || Patient Support |
|
Integrative Naturopathic Consultations, Focused Referral Services
How I Approach Solving Health Problems Naturopathic Physician Code of Ethics Consultations and Programs: Acumeridian therapies: Acugraph, Auriculotherapy, etc. Biofeedback; Heart Rate Variability Counseling, Brain Health, Spirituality Considerations Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Somato-Emotional Release Homeopathic medicine: Integrative Homeopathy Iridology: Integrative Iridology
IMPORTANT: This is not an urgent care (emergency) facility. For medical emergencies dial 911 or go to the nearest urgent care facility
|
Locations of Services:
Washington DC and Seattle Washington
The Naturopathic "Primary Care" situation in Washington, DC:
Integrative Naturopathic Consultations and Naturopathic Second Opinion -- These are based on my doctorate education in naturopathic medicine and extensive training and experience in other systems of medical thought (such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, and Homeopathic Medicine). I am committed to integrating high quality science and effective natural medicine approaches.
In the District of Columbia I am a licensed naturopathic physician. The profession is supervised by the DC Medical Board. At NIHA I work with M.D. and D.D.S. practitioners when appropriate to give people increased options for healing of body and mind. I also have licenses as a naturopathic physician in other states.
Integrating mainstream and holistic care, my practice encompasses all ages, and is not limited by the diagnosis label a patient may have received from a medical physician. See Conditions Treated. I use a variety of approaches to help people use their inborn self-healing energy. The overall model that drives my practice is the Complete Medical System called "Medical Heilkunst" [see Philosophy of Health and Medicine and the diagram of the “Five Levels of Healing”].
The practice of naturopathic medicine in the District of Columbia is undergoing a gradual evolution. In DC there are practitioners who have graduated from the four-year schools who train primary care naturopathic physicians, and there are practitioners who took other training and have registered as naturopath/N.D.s. At National Integrated Health Associates I work with a number of skilled practitioners who have taken the only option available---under the umbrella designation mandated by the registration process available in the District they have registered as “N.D.”, or "naturopath".
My practice at NIHA as a graduate of a four-year naturopathic medical school is based on the depth of training I have received as a primary care naturopathic physician. I configure my practice to conform to D.C. regulations. When my patients need procedures and prescriptions that require a medical license, I refer them for consultation with a NIHA medical doctor. Often we conduct joint practitioner visits so we can smoothly coordinate an integrated program of care.
Scope of my Naturopathic Care in DC: I particularly appreciate the fact that naturopathic physicians in Washington DC have practice guidelines that respect our trust in the body's innate ability to heal itself. I choose to not treat specific named medical diseases and instead treat the whole person. The recommendations I give are aimed at helping you learn your strengths and challenges. I help you find your own inner balance, physical-chemical-mental, so your body can heal itself. This means that I when I agree to work with a patient it does not matter what is their official medical diagnosis. I find that usually there is some kind of imbalance in overall health and I work with the individual so they can regain balance. My recommendations and homeopathic/ herbal prescriptions center on natural approaches that support the body's innate ability to heal itself. I do not use prescription drugs, but refer for them from my M.D. associate here when needed.
My commitment to helping people whatever their condition may be is strong. I have training in dealing with the range of primary care needs. I can advise and treat people who have MCS, CFS, MS, ADD, Depression, Existential Crisis, body pains, and much more. When needed I will do this with the medical doctor as part of a team.
|
Quotes that I find particularly relevant are: "A doctor who prescribes an identical treatment for an identical illness in two individuals and expects an identical development may be properly classified as a social menace." Lin Yutang
"It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has." -- Hippocrates |
Definitions of Naturopathic Medicine
My Training as a Naturopathic Physician
Outcomes Research and Science
Our clinic is committed to proving the effectiveness of the integrative treatments we do. We have instituted the digital medical records system known as EHR (Electronic Health Records). A key reason for instituting this at NIHA is to build our database showing the usefulness of the different approaches we use when we treat health conditions. I am committed to the concept that someday Science will have ways to detect the energies that are behind the success of empirically successful techniques such as acumeridian treatments, Ayurvedic Medicine and Homeopathic Medicine.
How I Approach Solving Health Problems
[See also: Understanding Your Health and Health Concerns | Conditions Treated]
I am part of a growing network of practitioners who assess and support the Autonomic Nervous System using a model that is only slightly, but significantly, expanded from current western medical standards [Expanded Paradigm]. For most people we refer to the items on the checklist for factors that block healing [ANS Functional Factors], and use that to help decide what their next step will be. We appreciate the Five Levels of Health & Healing (see below). Recently I have added the NES ProVision biofield scan because it is compatible with this expanded model. I am trained in the basic western approach of taking a good health history, doing physical examination, ordering laboratory tests and appropriate consultations with experts as needed. I am also trained in Chinese medicine, homeopathic case taking, several kinds of counseling and mind-body techniques. For those to whom it is important, I have a depth of training in spiritual approaches and shamanic work that we can discuss if it is of interest to you. When it will add to the effectiveness of treatment, I contact and work in team fashion with licensed medical doctors at NIHA. I work together with the patient to decide what they want to do next as they move ahead in their journey of healing.
The Five-Level Map to Healing promoted by Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D., Ph.D.
|
The Five Levels of Health & Healing: Adapted for healthcare consortium Founders sites:
|
|
Acumeridian theory and practice are changing the way scientists think about the human body and healthy lifestyle. Acumeridian therapies include much more than sticking needles in the body. Working with the “acumeridian” system is a central part of the treatments used by many of the NIHA practitioners. I have a masters degree in Acupuncture, which included study in China with a Taoist physician. For many years I have studied and used different meridian-based ways of helping people. I have trained with Dr. Klinghardt, and Dr. McClure through Capital University classes.
More details on acumeridian theory.
Auricular Acupuncture (without needles).
ETPS (Electro Therapeutic Point Stimulation).
Biomodulator: Pain treatment; muscle relaxation and re-education (A competitor of the SCENAR class of cybernetic biofeedback).
Acugraph (Digital Meridian Imaging)
LASER:
We have the Erchonia PL 5000 low-level-laser unit with dual heads.
Other
as appropriate: Reflexology, acupressure, etc.
Biofeedback; Heart Rate Variability
1. RSA (Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia) technology allows me to coach you to “turn on” your parasympathetic nervous system; this is part of your Autonomic Nervous System. [For deeper study read about Stephen Porges, and consult references on Vaschillo's Resonant Frequency Theory.]
2.
Heart
Rate Variability is a way of assessing your Autonomic Nervous
System. This is your own unique response, giving us vital information
about your heart’s electrical activity and how your ANS is functioning
to control that activity at rest and under stress. When we repeat this
test in the future we will be able to monitor improvement in your
body’s ability to self-regulate in response to stresses. [HRV
info]
My deep personal experience with Biological Dentistry -- first as interested reviewer of the information, then as satisfied patient and committed practitioner -- drives me to keep in touch with biological dentists and practitioners who co-manage patients who seek their care. Through my alliances with medical doctors, dentists and other practitioners I am able to provide life-changing networking to help solve an individual's health puzzle. Biological dentistry in some way touches on virtually all of the health sciences. The support I provide to the program for a patient can include any of the training I have had as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, an acupuncturist, or other educational experiences.
>>More details on Biological Dentistry.
Body-Mind Support
Combination of programs to create A Lifestyle of Healing. Pulls together various types of appointments: Integrative Homeopathy and prescription of a sequential program of homeopathic medications; Assessment, education and prescription of supportive aspects for A Lifestyle of Healing.
>>More details on Body-Mind Support
Counseling, Brain Health, Spirituality Considerations
>> See also: More details on my approach to Mental Health/Counseling.
The Five-Level Map to Healing promoted by Dietrich Klinghardt, M.D., Ph.D.
|
The Five Levels of Health & Healing: Adapted for healthcare consortium Founders sites:
|
|
I offer unique insights and techniques that help you sidestep "mental illness labels" and discover an alternate path to controlling your own life. In-person or phone/Internet. "Drug-Free Mental Health" program (now called "Brain Health & Wellness"), insight counseling, hypnotherapy and biofeedback combined with scientific naturopathy considers allergies/hypersensitivities, Autonomic Nervous System function, excesses or deficiencies that affect mind and body. I may also use hypnotherapy, SCENAR-type electro stimulation for biofeedback and pain control, mind-body correlations from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, and Integrative Homeopathy. I will respect your religion or nonreligious commitment.
Note: I favor the approach of psychotherapist/hypnotherapist Milton Erickson and the more recent development of "Positive Psychology". I do not ask the person to emotionally relive past traumas.
My eclectic support of your mental and physical health may also integrate body psychotherapy, eye movement and mental field "tapping", craniosacral therapy, insight counseling and various biofeedback technologies. I practice in two integrative medicine clinics, providing referrals if necessary to our medical doctors, biological dentists, chiropractor, massage therapists and others.
I have depth of experience with creating new options for people with a range of concerns such as enhancing wellness, child/adolescent performance, autism, cancer and chronic illness, or end-of-life issues. Employing special techniques to enhance confidentiality I can be your advocate as you face major life crisis.
I am a former member of the Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology, and appreciate their incorporation of techniques that we use here at NIHA such as eye movement and acumeridian "tapping" techniques.
I have joined the American Association of Pastoral Counselors to honor the intimate association of body, mind and spirit and the need to serve each patient with respect for their preference for religion or philosophy.
I have joined the Spiritual Directors International community in order to enhance the deeply meaningful journey that people can undertake in understanding the meaning of life, by also helping improve the health of the body and brain. [My services for Spiritual Directors and Seekers]
I have joined the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians to honor the valuable contributions that natural medicine can make to the supportive care for patients who have been given diagnosis labels of "cancer". [Cancer info]
I have joined the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback to honor the research into the formerly hidden Autonomic Nervous System. [ANS info]
|
"It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has." -- Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) |
[Note: Suicide prevention resource >> National Hopeline Network :1-800-SUICIDE]
The Brain Health & Wellness approach of Dr. Charles Gant and the Brain Scan clinics of Dr. Daniel Amen are powerful resources for you to find out more about how your brain works and how to support healthy function. [See: Brain Health Resources]
| Special Note: Dr. Bruce Rind at NIHA provides the Relox (Trademarked) treatments that can dramatically reverse brain problems after trauma and stroke, for instance. Read more about him and find links to his work on the Brain Health Resources page. |
See also Spirituality Considerations | Emotions and Traditional Chinese Medicine | Naturopathic Physician Code of Ethics | Play to Enhance Intelligence
Extra Counseling Background Information: The following brief video talk is by psychotherapist/hypnotherapist Bill O'Hanlon. If individuals or couples use this technique it will be effective because of the concept of "Neuroplasticity" that I write about in my blog. This blame-free approach is included in the services I offer.
Love is a Verb for couples from Bill O'Hanlon on Vimeo.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy and Somato-Emotional Release
This is my program of Cranial Bio-Dynamics. It is the Upledger approach combined with training I had in the Cranial Fluid Dynamics of Solihin Thom, D.O. and then integrated with my knowledge of obstacles to self-healing, including Biological Dentistry and the effect of dental conditions on health. This is an important part of my Counseling options, as well as being crucial to my Detoxification and Rehabilitation programs.
>>Flyer
>>1. More details
on Cranio-Sacral work. 2. Additional
essays on Craniosacral Therapy
This is a core aspect of the Integrative Medicine approach to health care. Removing obstacles to self-healing is a part of virtually every program I recommend. With the teamwork of medical and other practitioners at NIHA, my patients can receive a wide range of treatments that help remove these "shackles" and improve freedom to heal.
>>More
details on Detoxification - The Concept.
This
is a combination of patient home-based learning, and the Comprehensive
Digestive Stool Analysis laboratory kit.
Several, including Heart Rate Variability, NES scan, Meridian Energy Analysis Device (MEAD)
>>More
details on Functional Assessments
Herbal preparations can be a very effective part
of an integrative medicine program. I encourage patients to study on
their own the benefits of different herbs, so they can learn basic
self-care at home as well as how to expand their use of herbs in their
meals.
Homeopathic medicine: Integrative Homeopathy.
Homeopathy offers a powerful way to remove Disease
from a person's life. Those who study homeopathy would identify
"Disease" differently than in the western medical model, pointing to
deeper original causes of health conditions. Homeopaths talk confidently about achieving Cure
in situations that otherwise seemed beyond hope. “Classical
Homeopathy” is sometimes very powerful, and that is an option.
“Acute Prescribing” is sometimes what I choose. I am studying the
Dynamic Medical System that is known as "The Medical Art" (or
"Heilkunst" in German), and consider this approach when I make
my homeopathic recommendations, as well as when constructing my overall
naturopathic medical recommendations; this is an integral part of the
Integrative Homeopathy program.
| I see the partnership between the homeopathic practitioner and person being cared for as a "Life Makeover." Everything about them is considered. This is much deeper than simply "fixing" some inconvenient, isolated symptom. --- Ralph Wood Wilson, N.D. |
See: Starting Your Treatment with Integrative Homeopathy |download Integrative Homeopathy at a Glance -- PDF
>>More details on Homeopathy/Heilkunst, theory and application.
I offer hypnotherapy as a focused method of improving the communications between the inner automatic survival mechanisms and the conscious mind. All too often people are unaware of the distinct difference between their conscious mind and their body with its autonomic nervous system that has effects on the function of organs and systems such as heart rate, digestion, fight/flight alert mechanism, etc. Hypnotherapy helps to bring the body and mind into a more coherent teamwork arrangement. Note: I favor the approach of psychotherapist/hypnotherapist Milton Erickson and the more recent development of "Positive Psychology". I do not ask the person to emotionally relive past traumas.
>>More details on Hypnotherapy
Iridology: Integrative Iridology
Physical iridology and also Neuro-Behavioral iridology. Designed to inform practitioners on the Integrative Medicine team at NIHA of possible correlations with health conditions and treatments being considered for integrative health care planning. For fine analysis of the biometrics of the pupil and “autonomic nerve wreath”, digital imaging gives a very informative assessment.
>>More details
on Iridology/Iris Bio-Metrics.
There is a range of testing in which naturopathic physicians -- who are four-year graduate primary care naturopathic physicians -- are well-versed. In the District of Columbia I have guidelines about which labs and other assessments I can request. This gives me a powerful set of assessments that can often be all that is needed to start a program to help balance a patient's health. When necessary, I consult with a medical physician for additional laboratory testing.
>>More
details on laboratory testing
NES Biophysics Scan Technology
From the developers: "The NutriEnergetics System is the first and only instrument capable of accurately describing a full range of information about the location and causes of ill health. It quickly allows the practitioner to get to the root causes of illness and will often find factors that even the most sophisticated and expensive laboratory and imaging tests cannot detect. All this is done rapidly and non-invasively. Additionally, it gives precise information about the specific infoceuticals needed to repair the body’s bioenergy field at the quantum level, bringing the body back towards optimal functioning, healing and well-being. It is a uniquely profound and effective system."
>>More details about NES Biophysics Scan Technology.
As part of Naturopathic Primary Care I often create an individualized nutrition program. This can include Ayurvedic/Endocrine body type, ABO blood type and/or other considerations. The program includes a printed chart of foods to include and ones to avoid during your integrative treatment. Therapeutic Nutrition is a core tool of naturopathic physicians, and this includes the importance of how your food is raised and how it is prepared and eaten as well as taking nutritional supplements. I have worked as the colon hydrotherapist in an Ayurvedic clinic, and have a deep respect for the role of nutrition in the health of the bowel; here at NIHA I support our colon hydrotherapy program.
>>More details about my use of nutrition in guiding self-healing.
As
a stand-alone treatment, or as part of an overall visit that uses
several techniques, bodywork treatments can be powerful boosts to the
body’s self-healing abilities. Deep tissue massage. Cranio-Sacral
therapy. Chinese Tui Na massage. Infrasound device. I am certified in
Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field therapy.
Self-Healing Training: "A Lifestyle of Healing'
As a stand-alone appointment with powerful training in basic support methods to help your Autonomic Nervous System build health, or as a way to get important tests that can be used by NIHA physicians to help integrative treatment planning. Begins with informative packet, "A Lifestyle of Healing". Includes HRV (Heart Rate Variability), Acugraph (Digital Meridian Imaging) test, Iridology photographs, Personality Typology information, Body Type Diet and Food tolerances printout, Relaxation and Focus instructions, Resources for ongoing Self-Care, Referral considerations for various services at NIHA including Biological Dentistry and Integrative Homeopathy.
| Note: Re-imaging one's self can make all the difference when seeking to begin new patterns of life activities that can lead to improvement in health of body and mind. --- Ralph Wood Wilson, N.D. |
>>More details about Self-Healing Training: A Lifestyle of Healing.
Vaccination Information
As a Doctor of Naturopathy I do not provide vaccinations with standard western medical methods. There are protocols for what has been termed "Homeopathic Vaccinations" and if a parent or patient chooses to refuse to have their child or themselves vaccinated, I would talk with them about the option of homeopathy and immune system support in that case.
>>More details about Vaccination.
