Naturopathic Medicine
Apr 16th, 2010 by Laura Washington
Naturopathic medicine works with the understanding that your body has an innate intelligence that is constantly making its best effort to move you towards your greatest state of health. The role of treatment is to support the body’s innate intelligence rather than to override it.
The approach of the naturopathic physician is to utilize the least invasive therapy that will restore health. Giving any kind of medicine, natural or otherwise, is more invasive than removing whatever might be causing the problem. So we must look for factors that are creating a weakness in the body physiology so that we can remove that influence and restore health.
The factors that I most commonly find are:
- Food Sensitivities or Inadequate Nutrition
- Immune Challenges (Virus, Bacteria, Parasites & Fungi)
- Chemical or Heavy Metal Toxicity
- Scars and Adhesions
- Mechanical Stress
- Mental/Emotional Influences
- Inherited Predispositions
There are many methods to investigate these interfering factors, such as blood tests, imaging, saliva tests, hair and stool analysis. In my practice I choose to utilize neuromuscular testing which allows me to analyze the entire body/mind complex and determine which findings are actually priorities and need addressing at the present time. In my experience, utilizing neuromuscular feedback from the body takes the guess work out of healthcare.
Once underlying imbalances are found I may recommend whole food nutritional supplements or herbs to support the body in restoring balance. The other prominent approach I take is to utilize the BodyTalk system which uses neuromuscular feedback from the body and light tapping on the head and sternum to re-establish channels of communication within the body to improve its function.
Personally, I want to be as healthy as I can. Health for me encompasses not only the health of my physical body but also my mind and my spirit. The goal of this whole-person-health is to be able to express myself at the highest and fullest level possible as I move through each day. In my naturopathic practice, it is my desire to help others do the same.
Appointments are made by calling yoga Pearl at 503-525-9642
Health History Form for New Clients
Fees
Adults
Initial Consultation $150.00
Follow-up visits $75.00
Discounts on Follow-up visits
Four visits 10% Discount $270.00 (You Save $30.00)
Eight visits 15% Discount $510.00 (You Save $90.00)
Children 12 and Under
Initial Consultation $70.00
Follow-up visits $35.00
Nutritional Supplements if needed are extra, based on individual needs.
Payment is due at the time of visit. Some insurance billing is available. Please contact Dr. Washington in advance of visit if this service is desired.
What Patients are Saying about working with Dr. Washington…
When I came to see Dr. Washington I suffered from allergies that were affecting my ability to be productive during that day, and I was also battling frequent stomach aches, and constant fatigue.
After seeing Dr. Washington my allergies calmed down in about two weeks and shortly after that left for good. Symptoms have not returned since then. Stomachaches have not been a problem, and I have a steady amount of energy throughout my day. I feel Dr. Washington’s services and knowledge have greatly affected my personal well being in a very positive way and I am very grateful to have her as my health care provider. A.S. February 2009
Dr. Washington,
I feel so great I could cry tears of joy! Even after just 6 days! I feel healthy and balanced, zero cravings for sweets (or anything else). I have been eating when I am hungry and letting go effortlessly when I am satisfied. If this is what “normal” people feel like around/about food, then count me in. 3 weeks later my energy is still great and I feel so balanced and well. I look forward to working with you further.
Thank You for showing me the way out of craziness and into bliss. C.B. September 2008
I came to Dr. Laura with anxiety and menstrual cycles that were disrupting my life. The options proposed by my long-time doctor, like removing my IUD and going onto birth control pills, were not acceptable to me.
Dr. Laura prescribed a combination of herbal supplements, meditation and yoga, which I followed carefully. Within three months my menstrual flow decreased dramatically, to what I would consider normal and manageable. I was able to sleep through the night, and no longer experienced a mood swing the week before my period. These changes have dramatically affected my level of peace and comfort.
My experience with Dr. Laura has been extremely positive. She is an excellent listener, takes careful notes and is very professional. She’s available via email for questions, which is not something I’ve experienced with other doctors.
I highly recommend Dr. Laura. She helped me understand what was happening in my body, and empowered me to play a part in healing myself. I respect her abilities as a healer, and feel fortunate to have found her. N. D. July 2007
Before I went to see Dr. Laura Washington I had grown increasingly frustrated with a muscle problem that had been growing and changing over seven years. I had already gone to see every doctor imaginable, both alternative and conventional, and while some of them helped ease my pain for a period of time, my problem always returned.
When I began seeing Laura, I really felt like both of us were working together to solve my issues. We took many different approaches at first; carefully analyzing results as well as doing testing in our sessions. When Laura started doing BodyTalk with me it was immediately evident to both of us that we had found our solution. Through combining supplements and BodyTalk exercise that I did at home, my problems completely disappeared. I no longer have any issues, but the best part of my treatment with Laura is the tools she gave me. Now I know that if my problems ever return, I can solve them myself. Thanks for everything Laura! Molly Harris June 2007
Dr. Washington, thanks for taking such good care of me and for caring like you do. It is so refreshing to work with a doctor who takes the time and really thinks things through….and listens with her heart, mind and spirit. Cathy Reed March 2007
Before I saw Dr. Washington, I lived with increasing periods of chronic physical exhaustion for at least six years. I was unable to participate in hiking, cross-country skiing and many other activities I loved to do. The exhaustion affected my ability to work and I would often require multiple days of rest after one day of activity. At the most extreme, I experienced extreme physical exhaustion and was unable to hold myself up in a chair or lift myself off the floor. In addition, my internal organs were beginning to hurt and swell.
I experienced gradual deterioration of my memory and ability to think clearly. I tolerated the long term memory loss at first, but the deterioration of my short term memory was much more disturbing, especially given that I am in my early thirties.
I had blood tests and other medical tests that were inconclusive as to the cause of my condition. I had a feeling of hopelessness that something was wrong but was unable to determine the cause. I was forced to adjust my lifestyle in order to continue to operate at a minimum level of function. Homeopathy, Acupuncture and massage held me together during this period, but Dr. Washington’s treatment was the first to reach the underlying issues.
Dr. Washington was the first health care provider to correctly diagnose my condition as high levels of mercury toxicity. Her methods were very effective in removing these toxins from my system. I have regained physical stamina and mental sharpness that I had long forgotten I had. I feel better than I have in at least ten years. I am now able to do the work required of me each day and am again participating in the activities I enjoy. The pain and swelling in my internal organs has subsided. T.S. January 2007
Dear Laura,
I just wanted to sincerely thank you for all the time and energy you have shared with me over the past year and a half. My choice to come see you has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I could never try to “repay” you for all you have taught me because it has been completely invaluable to me. My entire being is better because of your guidance and positivity! I honestly can’t begin to thank you enough. You are an amazing healer and I acknowledge how lucky I am to have met a person like you. Thank you Laura. Morgen Lennox Jan 20, 2007
Hi Laura,
I just had to share my news with you. I’ve had to purchase a new pair of jeans because the ones I have been wearing are falling off (even with a belt). AND…I just purchased a size 8! I’m kinda in shock. I haven’t been a size 8 in 3-4 years.
The other news is that we were at a store that had scales last night, and I weighed myself – at 139.4 pounds. I had been at the same store exactly two weeks prior (coincidentally) and weighed in at 145.6 pounds. So – I guess that means I’m still losing weight – it’s crazy to watch it go!
The smile is wide on my face, I’m ecstatic and I feel great! I just wanted to share my joy with you 
T. C. May 2007
Before seeing Dr. Washington, I was feeling generally lethargic, having only energy to get the necessary things done to get through the day. My mind was generally fuzzy, I lacked enthusiasm and I was always looking at the negative side of things. I was wondering if I was headed towards depression. Yes, I did have my good days, but overall I did not really enjoy my life. I was taking Advil everyday for minor aches and pains, I was experiencing stomach pains and any effort to lose weight was not successful.
Since working with Dr. Washington all of the above have taken a major (HUGE) turn for the better. I have dropped 16 pounds (that’s quite a bit on my tiny frame). That by itself was a major morale booster. My energy has increased by 100%. I am still surprising myself with my boundless energy. I am attacking projects and getting them done and not putting off things like I used to, both at work and at home. My mind is clear and I am feeling very positive about everything in general. I have stopped taking Advil and my aches and pains have diminished for the most part. I guess the biggest difference is my energy level (which people at work have commented on) and my positive attitude towards things in general. I love it!!!!!!! J.S.
Chronic pain has almost always been a part of my life. I live with it the best I can and try to stay focused on my many blessings. However feeling bad day after day made me decide it was time to see if there were other options than the ones presented to me by MD’s. I suffer from IBS, endometriosis, sinus headaches and joint pain. My MD’s always prescribe prescription drugs to help decrease the pain but the problem is you have to keep taking the medicine and they have multiple side effects that you then have to live with. And even more depressing is the way a person with chronic pain is cared for. No one wants to listen to a complainer and therefore you are expected to ‘just live with it’.
I attended Dr. Washington’s Health as a State of Dynamic Balance workshop because I was ready to make a positive change in my life. Within just a few minutes of the workshop I knew I was going to schedule a consultation with Dr Washington. The concept of focusing on wellness with a Naturopathic Physician verses the traditional form of treatment for an ‘illness’ made perfect sense to me.
The results have been incredible! I am not kidding when I say my symptoms from IBS were resolved almost immediately. I am continuing to work with Dr. Washington to address the other areas as well. In addition to the success I have found from working with Laura I also find that her warm and friendly style is quite refreshing. She is easy to talk to and very supportive. Plus I personally find it is easier to stay motivated when you are working in partnership with someone who cares. Jenny Gallagher September 2005
You are doing great work Dr. Washington. Being in your office I feel very well taken care of and always very comfortable. You listen to everything I have to tell you and take all my needs into consideration to arrive at the best services for my health and well being. I appreciate your thoroughness and insight and totally trust in your ability as a doctor and healer L.D.
Before I started working with Dr. Washington, I was experiencing frequent headaches, a lack of mental clarity, fatigue, and persistent bloat. I had gained 10 lbs in the previous year and was not eating very carefully or well. As soon as Dr. Washington explained the program to me, I knew I was ready.
From day one I felt better, both physically and mentally. The weight came off effortlessly, and the initial three weeks was so successful that I decided to stay on the maintenance diet. I’m happy to report that the Christmas holidays came and went without any temptations to stray, and my health was in peak form. What a wonderful way to start the new year! I’m so grateful for this reasonable, doable, and effective program. My thanks to Dr. Washington for her informative guidance and ongoing support throughout the process. Patricia Slote
A friend from work had been away for a month and came in for the first time today. He was astounded at the change in me. He kept saying he couldn’t believe how good I looked. What an amazing result in only a month! L.S.
Dr. Washington’s cleansing program was easy to follow and gave me a true sense of nourishment. My body thrived and felt more alive. My skin became more supple. This is better than botox. By the beginning of the third week my head cleared of negative thoughts and even negative people in my life cleared away. This not only changed my eating habits but also gave me a re-newed, fresh sense of myself and lightness of mind, body and SPIRIT. J.S.
I lost almost 15 pounds in the first three weeks of working with Dr. Washington. I am still dropping weight after the three weeks because my taste, smell, appetite, metabolism and spirit have changed. I feel like myself again. I feel that this nutritional program was definitely a catalyst to getting my body back. I feel like losing weight isn’t hard anymore and I don’t feel blocked or stuck by the enormity of weight I have/had to lose. Penni G.
When I came in to see Dr. Washington I had a lot of questions and concerns. I thought I needed heavy metal detoxification. Dr. Washington tested me and found out that wasn’t my problem at all. We narrowed in on the real cause of my difficulties. Since then I have noticed that my general sense of well-being has greatly improved. P. P.
Through Dr. Washington’s Nutrition Response Testing, and taking the vitamins my body needed, the amount of energy I have each day is fascinating! I’ve been dealing with my symptoms for so long; I had forgotten what it was like to be able to make it through the day with energy without literally crashing each evening. My migraines are happening less frequently, and no more constipation! I’m continuing to make progress daily and look forward to being healthy again. Tami C.
I have had very painful periods every month for over 6 years. I used Advil regularly to manage this pain, and had tried several different treatment modalities without much change. I also had digestive problems for 5 years and had also tried many things to improve my digestion with very little success.
Once I started working with Laura Washington my pain gradually reduced. I have not had to use any Advil now for the last 3 months. My digestion is now great due to food allergy elimination. B.B. 4/7/06
Before I started seeing Dr. Washington, I experienced intense mood swings that seemed uncontrollable at times. I felt volatile around my closest friends and family members. I felt I could shift into depression and sadness very easily and sometimes over the smallest incident. I was tired and unmotivated. I had painful periods and had developed endometriosis. I had a bit of re-occurring acne and skin problems that made my emotional stability weak.
After seeing Dr. Washington for a few weeks and taking whole food supplements, my mood swings almost seemed to disappear. Instead of being victim to my mood swings, I started to feel like I was more in control over my mind and more in tune with my body. Later she helped me make some dietary changes. Since then my energy levels have balanced out and my body feels better than it has in years. Now I am much more aware of my emotional swings and able to handle them differently and more constructively.
My experience with Dr. Washington has been completely positive and worthwhile. I recommend a visit to Dr. Washington to everyone. I personally feel grateful and lucky to have found a person who has helped teach me how to live healthfully and happily again. Thank You Laura! M. L. 3/28/06
I went on Laura’s cleanse a year ago and, from this vantage, I can say that the experience changed my diet and my way of thinking about food.
First, some background. I came to Laura after about eight or nine months of not being well. I had had an ovary removed, and although I recovered from the immediate trauma relatively quickly, I felt weak and stressed. Within a couple of months I began succumbing to every illness that went around, including an intestinal ailment that lasted for two and a half months, during which I could only eat the blandest foods (BRATT-Bread, Rice, Apples, Toast and Tea). My mother flew up from California to take care of me.
This was followed by the flu, bronchitis, a pulled muscle between my ribs–I was sick for more days than I was well, and had never experienced anything like this before. It was as if my immune system wasn’t working.
At my wits end, I visited Laura, who is also my yoga teacher. After a useful discussion about diet, she suggested the Cleanse. By the second day of this regimen, my energy had soared to the point that I felt euphoric. I was well for the first time in nine months.
I stuck with the Cleanse for about 10 days, and then slowly started adding other foods. The experience was profound for me because it re-acquainted me to food, and to a way I used to eat when I was a child. As a kid, a carrot or a piece of celery was something I happily munched down, plain.
The most important lesson I took away from this was the connection between energy and diet. Prior to the Cleanse, I saw food mainly in terms of nutrients and calories (and how good it tasted). I am now much more aware of how eating various foods will make me feel, and how much energy they will take to digest.
Importantly, this is not a set of diet “rules” that Laura, or some other authority imposed on me. Rather, the process helped me to discover my own guidelines, experientially. Sure, I still occasionally eat pizza, but I do it aware that I will be sleepy afterward. When I feel tired or rundown, I know how to change my diet to give me more energy.
The fact that I have not been sick, not even with a little sore throat, since the Cleanse probably speaks louder than anything else I have written.
I recommend to anyone that does the cleanse, that they also consider subscribing to something like Organics to You, or setting up an account with a farmer at the markets. Having a big box of vegetables delivered to me weekly, over which I have no choice regarding the content, has gotten me to, not only eat more vegetables, but, importantly, to eat a larger variety of vegetables than I would if I were shopping for myself in a grocery store. (Ever had a sunchoke?)
Thank you Laura! Lisa Caballero, May 13, 2006
It helps others to know how you have been helped by this work. Use the “Reply” space below to add your experience. Thanks!
I came to Dr. Laura a few months ago after coming to my whits-end with “medical doctors”. They had been medicating all of my conditions for years with no end in sight. In fact, at the time I came to Laura, my doctor had given me one medication treatment that actually poisoned my bones (side effect) and started their deterioration. At the young-ish age of 37, I was starting to lose my ability to bend, stand and even walk at times. I basically hobbled into Laura’s office in tears. Three months after working with Dr. Laura, I am happy to say my bones are restored…I’m even running 3.5 miles a day. And, needless to say, my other life-long ailments are disappearing because my body is finally reaching balance. I cannot say thank you enough. You’ve given me so much of my life back.
I have known Laura Washington for several years now, and have been seeing her as a patient for the past year. She is such a brilliant doctor. Along with the vast knowledge she has about naturopathic medicine, Laura carries the special gift of intuition. I initially came to her for chronic gynecological issues, specifically amenorrhea. Prior to that, I had tried other allopathic treatments and saw doctors, but I did not get better. Through the use of the body talk system, Laura and I got to the heart of the reasons for my condition. I experienced positive results immediately, and kept getting better with every successive treatment. Today my ailment does not exist! I feel like a balanced and vibrant woman, something I have not felt in over three years, and I thank Laura for her guidance in bringing me back to a state of health. I completely trust her, and highly recommend Body Talk as a powerful way to address a whole spectrum of imbalances, and help the patient really get to know his or herself. I consider Laura to be my primary doctor, and feel so blessed to know her. Thanks so so much Laura!