WHY I BECAME A NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN

As a young adult, I began to suffer from seasonal allergies.  In spite of consultations with many doctors, trials of various prescription and over-the-counter drugs, my condition worsened with each passing year.  In desperation, I sought out alternative therapies where I finally found modalities that truly worked in evoking healing and effecting a permanent improvement in the quality of my life.  This experience convinced me that I should devote my energies towards helping and educating others to achieve the best health possible through alternative therapies.  In order to accomplish this goal, I enrolled at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona, and graduated in 1997 with a doctorate of Naturopathy. You can learn more about my Alma matter by logging onto http://www.scnm.edu/index.php

MY PRACTICE

Emphasis is put on teaching patients self-reliant health care strategies. 

If you are a person who has tried many different doctors and still have no resolution to your problem, then Naturopathic medicine may be able to help.  As a Naturopathic doctor, I am trained in a different paradigm than the conventional medical doctor.  My aim is to look for the cause of your ailment, not just prescribe palliative measures.  Depending upon the situation, I will order tests that seem unrelated in the conventional model.  For example, a patient with seasonal sinusitis (allergies/hay fever) may be shocked to learn that a stool test for GI pathogens is necessary.  You may ask, “What do bugs in my gut have to do with getting allergy symptoms every spring?”  As it turns out, a lot.  If your immune system is busy “24/7” dealing with GI pathogens, then you have very little immune reserve to fend off the onslaught of pollen in the spring.  Once the GI pathogens are identified and eliminated, then the immune system can perform better and you will have resolved your seasonal sinusitis.  Food allergies can work in the same way.  Many patients need to be tested for both GI pathogens and food allergies in order to permanently resolve seasonal sinusitis. 

Naturopathic medicine is not for everyone.  If you are only willing to “take something” (a drug or herb) to resolve your ailment, then this type of medicine may not be for you.  A Naturopathic patient must be willing to make the necessary life-style changes in order to obtain results.  This means omitting habits that are contributing to your ill health.  Dedication and a sincere desire to improve are paramount.  Patience and diligence are important since results take time to achieve. 

As one of my patients, you can expect that I will use all my knowledge and experience to guide you on your journey to optimal health.  You will have my full attention during office visits (no staff interruptions or phone calls).  I am accessible by email and phone whenever a question comes to your mind.  Frequent communication is necessary in order to achieve the desired results, especially when first starting a treatment protocol.

Prior to your first visit, please mail, email or fax copies of your medical records for my review.  This will help me to direct my interview more specifically.  There is no charge for this service.