Philosophy

 

My approach to healthcare is rooted in the fundamental principles of Naturopathic Medicine.

Let nature heal. Our bodies have a powerful instinct for self-healing. By identifying and removing obstacles to self-healing (such as poor diet or other unhealthy habits) and giving the body needed tools to be healthy (correcting nutrient deficiencies, balancing hormones, stress management) the body can obtain a much higher level of optimal health.

Identify and treat causes. Symptoms will keep returning unless the root cause is addressed. Rather than mask symptoms with medication, I always seeks to identify and treat the root causes of symptoms.

First, do no harm. This principle guides my decisions on treatment and healthcare.

1. Whenever possible, use therapies that have few or no side effects. These include: lifestyle modifica
   tions, diet, nutrient supplements, herbal medicine, or homeopathy.
2. Understand when more aggressive therapy is necessary such as prescription medication or referral to specialists.
3. Avoid suppressing symptoms, which is often the body’s way to self-heal. Symptoms should be seen as clues to underlying health imbalances.
4. Individualize treatment plans based upon each patient’s unique clinical presentation and health history.

Educate patients. I enjoy spending time educating my patients on their health conditions and treatment recommendations. I teach my patients what to eat, how to exercise, and how listen to their bodies. It is through education that patients feel empowered and become active participants in their healthcare.

Treat the whole person. Health and disease are the products of a complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, dietary, environmental, and lifestyle factors. I consider each of these factors in treating a patient.

Prevent illness.  It is important not only to prevent disease, but also to prevent minor illnesses from developing into more serious or chronic diseases. I use various assessment methods (such as a comprehensive health and family history, physical exam, and variety of laboratory tests) to identify disease risk factors and makes appropriate interventions to prevent illness.