Question 1

What is included in a Patient Consultation?

Accepted Answer

The initial patient consult includes a review of previous medical records (including laboratory results, pathology reports and those from other health care providers).   A complete review of organ systems (ie. cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, nervous etc.) will be performed; while focusing on the chief complaint(s) and identifying health goals.  A preliminary assessment is provided at the time of the initial consult; however delivery of the health plan will occur at the follow-up consultation.   This consult is scheduled approximately 2-3 weeks following the initial.  During this follow-up visit, the patient’s medical history will be synthesized and a detailed correlation of the patient’s story to the chief complaint will be provided.  If labs were ordered, the results will be shared and explained.  The individualized clinical assessment and plan, as well as supplement and lifestyle recommendations will be given.

Question 2

Low Level Energy Laser (LLEL)—how will this help me?

Accepted Answer

As a health care practitioner, I can attest to the benefits that patients report after LLEL treatment.  Many patients have reported that knee, shoulder and back pain decreased after just two or three  (30-minute) sessions.  This treatment is known to improve circulation by increasing the amount of nitric oxide within a blood vessel.  More specifically, this has been previously reported to help decrease symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (numbness in hands and feet).

Question 3

Specialty Lab Testing- how will this help me?

Accepted Answer

Patients often report that they have normal lab results, however still maintain that they do not feel ‘well’.   Oftentimes there seems to be a disconnect between having labs in the normal range and actually feeling well.  You may ask, “Could it all just be in my head?”  More than likely there is a definitive reason for not feeling well.  Specialty lab testing can help you to discover potential reasons for not feeling well such as adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, mold sensitivity due to exposure in the home, low functioning thyroid, etc.  Exploration of your current symptoms, diet, lifestyle and environmental factors will help to reveal the cause for dis-ease.

Question 4

How do you treat complex cases of environmental exposure or someone with an auto-immune condition?

Accepted Answer

As a health care professional, I am committed to careful examination of the whole person; mind, body and soul.  With that being said, there are several environmental factors that can negatively influence our health.  My approach is to take a detailed and thorough environmental history as well as a family, medical and lifestyle history.  By assessing the physiology and function of the body based on the immune, digestive, cardiovascular, endocrine and detoxification systems, I am able to uncover core clinical imbalances that may be affecting your health.   Additionally, I work to discover how certain triggering events (including prenatal) may be contributing to your symptoms.   After review of these details, my work begins and I start by thinking about the ‘root cause’ for dis-ease.  The human body is a complex system that interacts with the world.  As a practitioner, my main focus is to recognize how patients are interacting with the world around them and to find out what factors are contributing to their health concerns.  I provide skillful recommendations (ie. nutrients, botanicals, homeopathy etc.) to ensure restoration of your health!   Taking specific supplements can assist with the body’s own natural process for healing.  Since 2009, I have worked with leaders in the field of Environmental Medicine.  Based on my clinical experience, selecting the appropriate lab tests to discover health imbalances as well as exploring various treatment options is key to achieving optimal wellness.

Question 5

What are the benefits of Naturopathic Oncology?

Accepted Answer

Naturopathic Oncology is an advanced specialty of Naturopathic Medicine that works to provide evidence-based natural and supportive therapies while patients are undergoing chemotherapy, radiation or preparing for surgery.  The main goal is to assist with side effects without interfering with the effectiveness of conventional treatment.   Some common side effects of chemotherapy include mouth sores, fatigue, abnormal blood counts, weight loss and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.  Naturopathic Oncology helps to provide scientifically proven supportive therapies while taking into account the patient’s prescribed medications.

 


Integrative Medicine refers to “a healing-oriented medicine that takes account of the whole person, including all aspects of lifestyle.  It emphasizes the therapeutic relationship between practitioner and patient, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapies.”

 


Naturopathic Oncology refers to ND’s trained in integrative cancer care who support people diagnosed with cancer through survivorship.  They provide evidence-informed guidance on safe and effective use of natural and supportive therapies when combined with conventional treatment.

 


Prevention relates to how disease and disability are affected by environmental factors, genetic predisposition, disease agents, and lifestyle choices and are dynamic processes; which begin before individuals realize they are affected.

Dr. Summer Baptist, ND, LAc, MPH