What can our Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Alex do for you?
- Health Assessment and Diagnosis: Dr. Alex, ND, MHSN, will conduct comprehensive health assessments including physical exams, laboratory tests, and health history evaluations, to diagnose underlying health issues.
- Herbal Medicine: Naturopathic Doctors can use herbal remedies and botanical medicine to support the body’s natural healing processes, prescribing herbal supplements and preparations based on individual health needs and goals.
- Homeopathy: NDs may utilize homeopathic remedies, which are highly diluted substances that stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms. Homeopathy is used to treat a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.
- Physical Medicine: Dr. Alex offers physical medicine therapies such as hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercise, etc. You may be referred for a consultation with our chiropractic care, acupuncture or massage therapy in the clinic if additional care is needed.
- Lifestyle Counseling: NDs provide guidance on lifestyle factors such as stress management, sleep hygiene, exercise routines, and mindfulness practices to support optimal health and wellness.
- Detoxification Programs: Naturopathic doctors may recommend detoxification programs to help the body eliminate toxins and improve organ function. These programs may include dietary changes, nutritional supplementation, and detox protocols. For additional help, Dr. Alex may refer patients to our Registered Dietician, Christine, or our Nutrition Consultant, Tiyah.
- Wellness and Prevention: Dr. Alex emphasizes preventative care and wellness promotion, empowering patients to take an active role in maintaining their health through education, lifestyle modifications, and natural therapies.
What health concerns can our Naturopathic Doctor manage at Advanced Wellness Center?
- Digestive Disorders: This includes conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), candidiasis, acid reflux, gastritis, food sensitivities, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Naturopathic doctors may use dietary modifications, herbal remedies, probiotics, and lifestyle changes to improve digestive health.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Naturopathic doctors often work with patients experiencing hormonal imbalances such as thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism), adrenal fatigue, menstrual irregularities, menopausal symptoms, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), hypogonadism (or low testosterone). They may recommend hormone balancing herbs, nutritional support, and lifestyle adjustments, hormone replacement therapy, etc.
- Chronic Pain Management: Naturopathic doctors employ various techniques to help manage chronic pain conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines, back pain, and neuropathy. This may include herbal medicine, reducing inflammation, and stress reduction techniques.
- Mental Health Conditions: Naturopathic doctors address mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, ADHD/ADD, and stress-related disorders. They may utilize counseling, nutritional interventions, herbal remedies, and mind-body therapies to support mental well-being.
- Neurological disorders: Naturopathic doctors can provide supportive care for various neurological disorders, often as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. While they do not typically replace conventional medical treatments for serious neurological conditions, they may offer complementary therapies to help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. Some neurological disorders that naturopathic doctors may address include: Migraines and Headaches, Neuropathy, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia, Epilepsy, and Stroke Recovery.
- Integrative Oncology: This is a field of medicine that combines conventional cancer treatments with complementary therapies and lifestyle interventions to provide comprehensive care for cancer patients. The goal of integrative oncology is to encourage prevention, improve patients’ quality of life, reduce side effects of cancer treatments, enhance overall well-being, and support the body’s natural healing processes. This does not replace evaluation, management, and care from a Medical Oncology Physician.
- Immune System Support: Naturopathic doctors focus on strengthening the immune system to prevent and manage several conditions. This includes things such as the frequent cold or flu, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and chronic infections. They may also recommend immune-boosting supplements, herbal formulas, and help you implement new lifestyle strategies.
- Cardiovascular Health: Naturopathic doctors work with patients to improve heart health and manage conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and heart disease risk factors. This may involve dietary changes, exercise programs, herbal medicine, and stress management techniques.
- Weight Management: Naturopathic doctors offer personalized weight management plans to help patients achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This may include dietary counseling, nutritional supplements, exercise recommendations, and behavioral strategies.
- Skin Conditions: Naturopathic doctors address skin issues such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and dermatitis using natural therapies like herbal remedies, dietary modifications, topical treatments, and lifestyle adjustments.
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Naturopathic doctors work with individuals experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or chronic fatigue symptoms to identify underlying causes, address nutritional deficiencies, optimize energy levels, and improve overall quality of life.
What lab testing may our Naturopathic Doctor order in the initial visit?
- Blood Tests:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Measures red and white blood cell counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet levels to assess overall blood health.
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): Evaluates kidney function, liver function, electrolyte levels, glucose, and protein levels.
- Lipid Panel: Assesses cholesterol levels, including total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol, and triglycerides.
- Thyroid Panel: Measures thyroid hormone levels, including TSH, free T4, free T3, and thyroid antibodies, to assess thyroid function.
- Vitamin and Mineral Levels: Tests for deficiencies or imbalances in vitamins (e.g., vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate) and minerals (e.g., iron, magnesium, zinc).
- Hormones Tests:
- Hormone Panels: Assess hormone levels such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, DHEA-S, and thyroid hormones to evaluate hormonal balance and function.
- Adrenal Stress Profile: Measures cortisol levels throughout the day to assess adrenal function and adrenal gland health, especially in cases of adrenal fatigue or stress-related conditions.
- Digestive and Gut Health Tests:
- Comprehensive Stool Analysis (CSA): Evaluates digestive function, gut flora, microbial balance, digestive enzyme activity, inflammation markers, and presence of pathogens (e.g., bacteria, parasites, yeast).
- Food Sensitivity Testing: Identifies food intolerances or sensitivities by measuring immune responses to specific foods or food components (e.g., IgG antibody testing, elimination diets).
- Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Testing: Detects bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine using breath tests or stool tests.
- Functional Medicine Tests:
- Organic Acids Test (OAT): Evaluates metabolic function, nutrient status, detoxification pathways, neurotransmitter levels, and gut microbial activity.
- Genetic Testing: Assesses genetic predispositions, variations, and potential risks related to health conditions, nutrient metabolism, detoxification pathways, and hormone balance.
- Environmental Toxicity Testing: Measures levels of heavy metals, environmental toxins, pollutants, and chemical exposures in the body.
- Cardiovascular and Inflammatory Markers:
- C-reactive Protein (CRP): Measures inflammation levels in the body, which can be indicative of cardiovascular health, autoimmune conditions, or chronic inflammation.
- Homocysteine: Assesses homocysteine levels, which can be linked to cardiovascular disease risk, methylation issues, and nutrient deficiencies (e.g., B vitamins).
- Lipoprotein Particle Testing: Provides detailed analysis of lipoprotein particles to assess cardiovascular risk factors beyond standard lipid panel results.