Naturopathic Doctors are some of the most highly educated and rigorously trained healers in the world. We practice Green Medicine - organic, sustainable, in harmony with the systems of the earth and body. My holistic approach to diagnosing and treating disease brings together the best of the following therapeutics: - Clinical Nutrition
- Scientific Detoxification
- Herbal Medicine
- Physical Medicine
- Lifestyle Counseling
- Weight-loss programs
What I treat
I'm a family practitioner seeing people for all medical conditions - from colds and sinus infections to more severe chronic problems such as fatigue, weight, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, skin conditions, hormone imbalances, PMS, menopause, and fibromyalgia, to name only a few. I've found that few people need to take prescription drugs to treat, for example, cholesterol, blood pressure, depression, anxiety, or insomnia. I particularly like helping people get off hormones, even so- called "bio-identical" hormones and into supporting their own glands go produce identical hormones. Most health conditions respond well to supplying missing nutrients and removing toxins.
What is an ND’s training?
Naturopathic education consists of a four year doctoral program that includes conventional medical education and diagnostics as well as thorough training in natural therapeutics. Generally, ND’s use the same means to diagnose patients as conventional MD’s, then use natural therapies to heal.
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
The six principles of Naturopathic Medicine guide all naturopathic physicians in their treatment approaches.
1. Primum Non Nocere
First, do no harm. Choose treatments that cause the least harm to the patient.
2. Vis Medicatrix Naturae
Respect the healing power of Nature.
3. Tolle causam
Identify and treat the causes of disease.
We relieve symptoms while treating the cause.
4. Docere
The doctor is a teacher, and an informed patient achieves the greatest health.
5. Treat the Whole Person
Address mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical levels of health.
6. Prevention
Naturopathic physicians advocate a proactive approach to health.
What is the legal status of naturopathic medicine?
ND’s are licensed to practice medicine in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Idaho, and Washington. Doctors must register to practice in the District of Colombia and Kansas. Legislative efforts are in process in many other states. This is important because state licensure ensures regulation of education and practice and the safety of patient care. Most of the licensed US states have professional associations for ND’s, and there is a national organization, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
Their web address is www.naturopathic.org
By focusing on your body’s innate healing power and intelligence, I empower you to generate wellness in your body not just today, but for the rest of your life.
Call 425-255-8100 Ex6 (Renton) or 206-324-2225 (Seattle) today for an appointment that will change your tomorrows.
Detoxification & Rejuvenation
People have had no place to go to find the latest scientific detoxification and rejuvenation therapies. They’re often stuck using drugs that only cover up symptoms. We have substantial research showing that people are loaded with environmental toxins and deficient in amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. PWC was founded to help people by addressing their core health issues – toxins and deficiencies - with pleasant, affordable and effective treatments.
I started Pure Wellness Centers because too many people were suffering needlessly. The time had come to realize:
* We’re all toxic. This is no longer controversial.
* Most people are deficient in two or more nutrients. Anyone who has been on a weight-loss diet probably has even more deficiencies.
* We know that toxins and deficiencies are linked to chronic diseases such as obesity, fatigue, arthritis, skin problems, heart disease, poor memory, cancer, and headaches, to name a few.
* Laboratory testing is now available and affordable.
* Scientific treatments can be individually tailored and measured for effectiveness.
* What most people are doing – fasting, “cleansing” products, and random use of supplements – are not helpful, and are often harmful.
We need to start thinking about naturopathic detoxification and rejuvenation like we do all health care- as part of ongoing methods for restoring and preserving our health and vitality.
You can change the way you feel today. Call 425-255-8100 Ex6 (Renton) or 206-324-2225 (Seattle) for an appointment that will change your tomorrows.
Avoid Unproven Therapies
Why I don’t use Ionic Footbaths
Ionic footbaths claim to remove toxic metals from the body by pulling them through the soles of the feet using a chemical charge. These machines often cost several thousand dollars. They’re usually sold on the web. It would be wonderful if they worked. But there are currently no good scientific studies to support their claim. Manufacturers of these machines offer testimonials, but no supporting data. This is very suspicious, since testing for metals is relatively easy and inexpensive.
Pure Wellness Center sees no reason to use an unproven gadget. If solid scientific support emerges, we will consider incorporating this therapy at our centers. In the meantime, we use therapies that are proven to work.
Toxic metals (lead, mercury, arsenic, etc) are a very real health problem. They cause nerve damage, fatigue, depression, and hormonal disruption. If you are concerned about toxic metals, make an appointment to have your levels tested. Testing is accurate and not expensive (around $100).
If your levels are high, follow an effective treatment plan prescribed by a doctor experienced in detoxification.
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY HEALTH-FOOD STORE AND INTERNET PRODUCTS THAT CLAIM TO TREAT TOXIC METAL POISONING with herbs and gadgets. They are a waste of time and money and potentially dangerous.
For the latest in scientific detoxification, Call (425)255-8100 Ex6 (Renton) or (206)324-2225 (Seattle) for an appointment with a qualified doctor.
Colonic Warning!
Why I do not recommend colonics:
My oath as a doctor is to first “Do no harm.” I take that oath seriously. I also believe in using therapies that have scientific validity.
What is a colonic? (sometimes called colonic irrigation or colon hydrotherapy)
The patient lies on a table. A tube is inserted in their rectum. Water (often with minerals, good bacteria, or other components) flows into the colon from a warming tank. The patient is instructed to hold the solution as long as is comfortable. A clear outlet tube allows the patient and practitioner (usually not a doctor) to observe what is being removed from the colon. The inflow and release of solution continues for 30-60 minutes until the solution is clear.
No good science: In researching colonics I could find no supporting scientific studies. Their usefulness is only supported by testimonials (“I felt great”). Testimonials are not always worthless, but I’m always cautious when a therapy only has testimonial support.
When you read the history and listen to proponents of colonics it comes down to two main points:
1. When a person is constipated, they feel better when their bowels are emptied.
I agree. Constipation is a very real problem that compromises a person’s health and needs to be treated. I disagree that colonics are a safe and effective way to treat constipation.
2. Sick people have colons that are lined with layers of sludge that need to be washed away with colonics.
I strongly disagree. If a person’s colon was lined with layers of waste matter they would not be able to absorb nutrients or balance electrolytes and they would quickly die. Furthermore, if you ask a gastroenterologist who performs hundreds of colonoscopies (essentially looking inside the colon with a tiny camera) about “layers of sludge” they will say they never see such a thing. This is a myth that is perpetuated by proponents of colonics. I challenge them to show us photographic proof, not imaginative drawings.
Constipation
Many doctors ignore the normal function of the bowels. I’ve had patients who tell me their MD says it’s normal to only have 1 or 2 bowel movements a week. I disagree, based on the physiology of the bowel and population studies.
Physiology
When we eat food it stretches our stomach. That sends a signal to the brain that then sends a signal to the intestines to start peristalsis – the wave-like motion that moves food through our digestive system. This results in a bowel movement 30-90 minutes after eating.
Population studies
People who eat traditional diets (high fiber, no processed foods) tend to have three bowel movements per day, one after each meal. These people also have fewer health problems, including hemorrhoids, gallstones, acne and varicose veins. (Varicose veins and hemorrhoids are exacerbated by straining to move the bowels) OK, if you agree that three bowel movements per day triggered by a natural physiologic process is normal, how do colonics fit? Not at all.
Safety Concerns
I’m not an alarmist. There have been very few reported cases of problems caused by colonics. However, I do have two major concerns:
- Potential introduction of harmful bacteria because of poor maintenance and knowledge of hygiene. There have been reported cases of this causing illness.
- Distention of the colon caused by the stretching of the colon muscles. Colon advocates say that colonics do the opposite; that they tone the muscles. However, they have no proof of this. They have never done a study to prove their point. On the other hand, logic says that if you insert large quantities of a liquid into a soft tube it will stretch. I say, why take a chance when there are safer, natural alternatives.
Short-term solutions for long-term problems
Colonics are a semi-surgical method of stimulating the bowel to move. Laxatives are a chemical method for stimulating bowel evacuation. Certainly a person who is constipated will feel better after a colonic or laxative, but that does not mean it’s in their long-term interest.
The healthy approach to constipation is to provide the nutrients that allow for a natural elimination of waste matter. If you are constipated or have other digestive problems, avoid quick and potentially dangerous therapies. Talk to your PW physician about safe, natural ways of improving your health.
Call (425)255-8100 Ex6, Renton or (206)324-2225, Seattle, to treat your constipation and other health problems.