What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a complete system of medicine which integrates science with natural, minimally invasive therapies. This wholistic approach is customized to each client, emphasizing prevention, self-care and optimal health for children and adults. This natural approach addresses the root cause of an illness or disease. It allows for profound healing of the body and promotes well-being. Naturopaths use the following treatments to help restore health: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, vitamin/mineral therapy, detoxification, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and life counseling.

Are you experiencing...

Fatigue?
Poor Energy?
Brain Fog?
Gut Problems?
Metabolic Imbalances
Sleep Issues?

Dr. Janet's Treatments

BIOMEDICAL THERAPY

Biomedical Therapy is the main approach that Dr. Janet utilizes for children on the autism spectrum (ASD) along with other naturopathic treatments.

She utilizes a functional approach that evaluates the underlying biological and medical needs of the children including physical complaints such as chronic diarrhea or constipation, sleep disturbances, eczema and rashes, behavioral issue and frequent illnesses. The original thinking about autism viewed it as a mental health issues, but recent ground-breaking research shows that ASD is biological in nature. ASD includes components of genetics, immune dysregulation, elevated heavy metals, inflammation, enzyme dysfunction, dysbiosis and altered neurotransmitter biochemistry – a complicated picture! Biomedical treatments do not help every child, but the majority of children with ASD, ADD, ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome and other developmental issues do demonstrate mild to significant benefits.

DIET/FOOD

Dietary choices make an incredible difference on how you or your child feels and functions! Gluten free, casein free and soy free diets are playing an important role in many health care issues. The challenges of pesticides and non-GMO foods constantly challenge us in our quest to eat nutritious, healthy foods. “You are what you eat, eats!” is advice to consider when making your food choices. Dr. Janet can help assist you in your food journey.

DETOXIFICATION/CHELATION

Heavy metal toxicity has become a growing concern in our world of pollutants and environmental hazards. The detection of toxic levels of heavy metals such as mercury, aluminum, lead, cadmium, etc. is challenging and sometimes difficult to quantify. Hair analysis tests are a good place to start, which may then be followed by more specific testing. Before pursing heavy metal detoxification, you or your child’s gut needs to be functioning properly along with good nutrient status and cellular function. A wide variety of treatments are then available for detoxification including oral DMSA or DMPS, transdermal DMPS or EDTA, homeopathic remedies and supplement regimes. The detoxification process needs to be done with supervision and specific regimes for the individual person.

BOTANICAL MEDICINE

Herbal or botanical medicine is a well-studied tradition of naturopathic medicine. The herbs can be given in the form of teas, tinctures (liquid solutions) or capsules. Dr. Janet will prescribe specific herbs for their medicinal properties and formulate recipes that include a number of appropriate herbs for you or your child’s health conditions. The exciting news about herbal medicine is that the effectiveness may be just as strong as pharmaceuticals but without the negative side effects.

VITAMINS/
SUPPLEMENTS

Even though you or your child may be eating a great diet, sometimes the intake of vitamins and minerals is just not adequate and/or they are not be absorbed. You or your child’s treatment plan may need to include some vitamin and mineral supplements to support optimal health.

WNC NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE works with www.wellevate.me, who only carry brands that have gone through a rigorous testing and certification process.

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopathy is a medical science that was developed by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), a German physician. He discovered that “like cures like,” which means that any substance that causes a healthy person to become ill will also do the opposite of causing an ill person to become healthy. Studies have been conducted showing the effectiveness of homeopathy even though the scientific basis is not yet understood. Aristotle, Hippocrates, Hindu masters have all made reference to positive homeopathic results. Dr. Janet will prescribe your homeopathy remedies based on you or your child’s unique constitution, physical, emotional and mental status.

BODY WORK

After the Naturopathic evaluation, adults (with gut issues, nervous system

conditions and inflammation) and children (with insomnia, gut dis-regulation and autism behaviors) may benefit from hands-on bodywork treatments. Dr. Janet has extensive training in many bodywork techniques (See About page). Her “magic hands” often leave clients feeling more relaxed and able to achieve daily activities more successfully.

HYDROTHERAPY

Hydrotherapy involves the use of water for pain relief and treatment of health conditions. The water therapy takes advantage of the properties of temperature and pressure to stimulate circulations, facilitate relaxation and encourage homeostasis in the body. Dr. Janet may make suggestions for home-treatment hydrotherapy activities using contrast water sessions, mineral baths, whirlpools, sauna, etc.

LIFE COUNSELING

Daily life can often present a myriad of situations and relationships that become difficult or confusing to juggle. Taking time to meet with Dr. Janet will provide you with an oasis of support and an unbiased view of your life questions. This counseling does not substitute for psychological treatment, but provides functional, practical solutions to facilitate your optimal well-being.

NATURAL DISPENSARY

WNC Naturopathic Medicine offers natural products of the highest quality including vitamins, supplements, homeopathic remedies and botanicals. Products are only purchased from companies that conduct rigorous lab testing in order to obtain consistency in the formulas. The raw materials for the products are only purchased from safe, healthy sources and routinely examined for any contaminations.

Although natural products have a reputation for being safe, other pharmaceutical medications can interact negatively with products. For your safety it is best to speak with Dr. Janet before starting a new treatment program.