Categories of Service

Naturopathic Medicine:

Hormonal endocrine balancing

Supportive treatment

Effective natural medicines

A doctor who finally listens

Acupuncture:

Relaxing, energizing, balancing

Musculo-skeletal problems

Sterile, disposable needles

Thin fine gauge needles

Gentle insertion techniques

Western & Chinese Herbs:

Pharmaceutical grade

Convenient forms-capsules, tablets, liquid, or sublingual

Topical gels, cremes

Safe, effective, natural

Traditional & modern formulations

Pesticide free, organic

Homeopathy:

Acute and chronic problems

Safe, effective, harmless

Plant substances and extracts

Natural Pharmacy Medicines:

Naturally compounded

Naturopathic formulations

What is Natural Medicine?

This site is devoted to natural medicine and hopefully, will introduce you to the world of Complementary and Alternative medicine (CAM).

Holistic medicine is different from allopathic or regular medicine in that we believe in the healing power of nature, and we strive to work in conjunction with nature and the body’s own innate healing abilities and its immune system. The keynote here is to assist and strengthen the body’s natural defense mechanisms rather than to destroy or mask or palliate the problem by merely removing or suppressing the symptoms. The body produces symptoms to warn us that there is something wrong, and we should pay attention to these warning signals, rather than suppress them.

Unfortunately, many people come to visit a Naturopathic doctor or Acupuncturist as a last resort because all else has failed to help them. Still, time after time, natural medicine rises to the occasion and indeed, does make a difference to the weary, searching patient. Now, armed with determination to get well, the person is usually willing to do whatever it takes to get better, and this may even mean a disciplined regimen of taking supplements regularly or watching what one eats on a daily basis, or having acupuncture treatments each week on a regular basis. It may take discipline, but the end results of vibrant, glowing health are well worth the effort.

“My commitment to healing is based upon the premise that the body heals itself if given the right environment and stimuli and if the treatment takes place on all levels–physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.”

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

The basic tenets of Naturopathic medicine can be summed up in the following statements:

• The healing power of nature
• First do no harm
• Threat the whole person
• Identify and treat the cause
• Prevention is the best cure
• Doctor as teacher

Naturopathic medicine is a system of medicine which is currently practiced in the United States, Australia, and Europe. It came to America from Europe where there were “Nature Cure” centers or sanitarium spas where people would go to heal and recover from chronic debilitating diseases. These Nature Cure spas strongly believed in the healing power of nature, and the body’s own innate ability to heal itself, when given the right environment and stimuli. These spas would use sunshine, herbs, whirlpool baths, physical therapy, vitamins, healthy natural foods, rest, massage, and relaxation to assist in the patient’s recovery.

Naturopathy evolved along with chiropractic, homeopathy, osteopathy, and allopathic medicine. At the beginning of the 20th century, each of these branches of medicine existed side by side, until the advent of the industrial revolution and the development and expansion of synthetic chemical drugs. Before synthetic drugs came on the scene, there only existed natural herbs and substances known for their specific medicinal and healing properties and which were handed down from generation to generation.

Naturopathy exists today in the United States in the form of practicing licensed naturopathic doctors who have graduated from one of four accredited naturopathic medical schools in the U.S. and one in Canada:

1. Bastyr University in Seattle
2. National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon
3. Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Phoenix
4. University of Bridgeport in Massachusetts
5. The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, Canada

These medical schools consist of a four-year program of intensive clinical studies and holistic methods of healing and disease prevention. This post-graduate study leads to a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND). Upon graduation, the graduate doctor sits for a national board exam whereby she/he becomes nationally certified as a naturopathic physician. Subsequently, each state is responsible for licensing the physicians. Hawaii is currently one of the 20 lucky US states and Canadian provinces that licenses naturopathic doctors.

Naturopathic doctors are general practitioners who are well trained in the use of botanical supplements, natural remedies, clinical nutrition and diet consultation, hydrotherapy and physical medicine, nutritional and vitamin supplementation, body-mind medicine, homeopathy, and Chinese medicine and herbology.

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is practiced in virtually every part of the world. Originally it is thought to have its beginnings in China well over 5000 years ago. It is the practice of inserting small, fine gauge needles into the body along designated meridians or channels which function to move Qi (Chi) and blood throughout the body connecting to its organs and tissues.

It is unknown how the practice first originated, and of what substances the original needles consisted, although they might have been rough-hewn wooden needles and other implements. Today, however, the acupuncture needles are metal, usually stainless steel, sterile wrapped and packaged, and made expressly for one-time use only. It is important that the patient makes sure that the acupuncturist uses only sterile disposable one-time use needles.

Chinese medicine is a collective system of varied procedures and techniques. It consists of a unique method of diagnosing imbalances and disharmonies in the body by way of tongue and pulse diagnosis.

The varied techniques and procedures include:

1. Tongue diagnosis – the acupuncturist uses this method to help diagnose the state of balance and disharmony within the body. The shape, the color, the size, the coating of the tongue, the moistness and the dryness all are important clues to the state of the health of the patient.
2. Pulse diagnosis – may take years to master because of the uniquely minute differences and subtle nuances of each individual pulse. Instead of just one pulse, the acupuncturist can detect six unique pulses on each wrist. Using words such as choppy, slow, rapid, weak, full, thin, wiry, big, empty, slippery, and deep or superficial, the acupuncturist can determine the state of the health of the internal organs and meridian systems.
3. Cupping – is the practice of using suction cups on different parts of the body, in order to relax the muscles, to draw out stagnation from a particular area, and to allow the blood and Chi to flow and move more freely, and to release tension.
4. Magnet Therapy – small round magnets may be placed on strategic acupuncture points on the meridians to balance and direct the flow of Chi and blood throughout the body. Usually these magnets are left on the patient, and the acupuncturist will tell the person to gently press upon these magnets throughout the day, to activate and strengthen the therapeutic effects.
5. Plum blossom therapy – is a method of using a unique instrument which has many pointed semi-sharp spikes and a long handle. The acupuncturist will then lightly tap on different areas of the body using the long handle of this instrument. The result is a gentle stimulation to the skin and body resulting in an increased circulation at that area. The head of this instrument containing the gentle spikes is disposable and should be replaced with each new patient. There is no piercing of the skin with this technique.
6. Chinese herbs – these herbs or plant materials are usually combined in an elaborate herbal formula specifically formulated for one’s individual constitution and malady. These variations and formulae are thousands of years old, having withstood the ravages of time. The formulae are effective and powerful allies for self-healing. We endeavor to use only herbs which have been tested for contaminants and heavy metals and are packaged in the United States under strict manufacturing guidelines.
7. Tui na – is a powerful form of Chinese massage utilizing various techniques of tapping, rolling, kneading, rolling and rubbing the muscles on different parts of the body. It can be relaxing, invigorating, stimulating, and enjoyable. Knowledge of the meridian system is imperative to direct and correct the natural flow of the Qi throughout the body.