We provide a wide range of family medical care needs including:
Primary Care
In Washington state, naturopathic physicians are included as Primary Care Providers (PCP’s). Dr. Brown focuses on family care including women’s health and children’s health. She provides physical examinations including well-child exams and sports physicals. Screening labs and imaging may be ordered to screen for elevated cholesterol, anemias, diabetes, thyroid, adrenal, sex hormones, immune dysfunction, liver and kidney dysfunction, and many more. Important in our naturopathic approach is the evaluation of such results while values are still in “normal” ranges—trends in health or dysfunction can be seen and treated before these become abnormal.
Women’s Health
Dr. Brown treats conditions including premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopausal symptoms, fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, PCOS, infertility, premature ovarian failure, STD’s, abnormal uterine bleeding, painful menses, vaginitis, yeast infections, etc. Her approach focuses on determining the underlying cause of these conditions—natural treatments typically resolve conditions but pharmaceuticals and bio-identical hormones are prescribed when indicated.
Children’s Health
Dr. Brown also specializes in naturopathic pediatric care from ages 2 years and up. Naturopathic health care for children carries particular importance as preventative medicine for life-long benefits. Dr. Brown has successfully treated ear infections, allergies, sinus infections, digestive disorders (constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, etc.), behavior disorders (ADD, ADHD, ASD, etc.), skin conditions (resistant infections, eczema, hives, etc.) and more. She also provides well child examinations, vaccine counseling, sports physicals, and diet counseling.
Allergies
Allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities are more common than many of us suspect. Allergies are consistent reactions to foods or environmental triggers due to an immune system response. Food intolerances result from the absence of a specific enzyme required for processing a certain food in the body (e.g., lactase deficiency in cases of lactose intolerance). Food Sensitivities (links to page) are reactions that are not consistent and do not necessarily result in definite specific “allergic” antibody responses in the blood. Sensitivities to foods generally develop towards food a person eats regularly, and, as a result, the reactions to these foods may be difficult to identify.
Classic signs of allergy include hives or skin rashes, runny nose, and anaphylaxis (an emergency situation where the person is unable to breathe and may lose consciousness). The symptoms due to sensitivities are similar (with the exception of the anaphylactic reaction) yet include many additional symptoms. Symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, breathing problems, itchy skin, hives, rashes, headaches, digestive disorders including heartburn, muscular aches and pains, menstrual difficulties, arthritis, mood changes or irritability, edema, palpitations, urinary disorders, or a vast array of other symptoms may be relieved by avoiding foods to which you are sensitive.
Detoxification Evaluation and Treatment
Our bodies are constantly bombarded by environmental toxins. Some individual also have had acute toxin exposures. Sources of toxicity may include mercury fillings, pesticides, herbicides, contaminated water, plastics, exhaust fumes, anti-perspirants, and many more. Our bodies work hard to eliminate these toxins but eventually become over-burdened and unable to continue to function properly. In addition, we are unable to eliminate some toxins which then become stored. The primary storage locations include fat tissue (making it difficult for some people to lose weight) and nerve tissue (including the brain). Toxin burden is implicated in Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and many others.
Varying techniques may be utilized to determine toxin levels including blood, urine, stool and/or hair analysis. Detoxification methods are then customized per patient needs. In addition, the patient is educated on reducing toxic burden and improving liver function.
Immune System Support
If you seem catching every cold and flu that comes your way, you may be in need of immune system support. Treatment is again customized to individual needs and may be as simple as nutritional support. For some people, testing may be helpful in determining the underlying cause(s). For example, iron deficiency anemia, low thyroid function, or leaky gut will reduce the body’s ability to fend off infections. Once these underlying causes are corrected, the body will be stronger. More advanced immune deficiencies may result in Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS) and require longer term management.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
These conditions are almost invariably due to underlying toxicity and/or nutrition deficiencies. An underlying “toxicity” may be environmental, but frequently is due to a “toxicity” on the mental or emotional level. Identifying such trauma can be very therapeutic. In addition, the patient is guided with respect to nutrition, botanical medicine, and homeopathy. Physiotherapy is also very beneficial: Frequency Specific Microcurrent typically provides enhanced energy, improved sense of well-being and pain reduction while Bowen usually provides relaxation, mental-centering, and pain reduction.
Hormonal Imbalances
Our hormone or “endocrine” system is very complex and inter-related. It includes thyroid hormones, cortisol, DHEA, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, insulin, and MANY more. For each of these hormones, there are typically “stimulating” and “releasing” hormones which further impact the delicate health balance. In addition, if one part of the hormone system is mal-functioning, other parts of the system will try and compensate. The myriad of symptoms from hormone imbalance(s) include fatigue, PMS, hair loss, excess hair, pain, weight loss or gain, depression or anxiety, constipation, high or low blood pressure, hot flashes, night sweats, cold intolerance, heat intolerance, swelling, and many more! Dr. Brown’s biochemistry and organic chemistry research background provides invaluable insight into evaluation and treatment of endocrine disorders.
Pain Management
Visit our Pain Management page
Digestive Disorders
Nutrition is the foundation of health. In addition to a healthy diet, proper digestion is essential to good nutrition. This includes everything from properly chewing our food, to enough stomach acid, to enough enzymes, to healthy intestinal linings, to proper muscle tone, to proper bacterial growth, and more. If any one of these areas is deficient, our health is likely suffering. Symptoms include excessive gas or bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramping, heartburn, reflux, and more. Sometimes symptoms are primarily fatigue, bad breath, hemorrhoids, chronic cough, joint pain, swollen joints, irritability, hyperactivity, inability to focus, etc. Chronic illnesses can include Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and Celiac disease. Food sensitivities may also be contributing to these symptoms. Hormonal imbalances are sometimes an underlying cause as well.
Acute Illnesses
In addition to treating chronic diseases, naturopathic medicine also successfully treats acute illnesses including pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza, ear infections, sinus infections, stomach flu, sore throats (including strep throat), skin infections, and many more. Dr. Brown utilizes not only naturopathic methods, but will recommend pharmaceuticals if indicated.
Chronic diseases
Naturopathic medical approaches can help optimize health in the face of chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s, Crohn’s, MS, CFIDS, IBS, hepatitis, diabetes, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, adrenal fatigue, hypothyroid, and many more. Dr. Brown’s background as a research chemist is instrumental in assessing potential underlying causes. Determination of underlying causes affords greater success in treatment outcomes. Treatment goals include establishing long-term remission and achieving optimal health and energy.