Choices in Alternative Healthcare

As a nurse I practiced conventional medicine in my career. As a patient I have sought out natural and alternative therapies for my problems and received great benefits. I’ve decided to combine the interviews with the two naturopathic physicians in this post so that readers can compare what they offer. Perhaps it will give them an idea on seeking care for themselves, their children, their friends.

Andrea Orlowski NMD received her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1997. She continued her education to receive a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese medicine. Her BA is in psychology.  Dr. Orlowski has taught classes in Nutrition, Environmental medicine, Amazon Herbs, Acupuncture and Naturopathic medicine at numerous institutions including the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture, The Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and The Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. Dr. Orlowski has been trained through The American College for the Advancement of Medicine in chelation and testing for heavy metal toxicity.  Doctor Orlowski has practiced at the A.R.E. medical clinic and the Southwest Clinic of Naturopathic Medicine. She presently is available for consultations at Inner Light Integrative Healthcare in Phoenix.

Jason Porter NMD is a graduate of the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona, and a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians the Arizona Naturopathic Medical Association and the Naturopathic Association of Therapeutic Injection and the American College for the Advancement of Medicine He has received extensive specialty training in alternative cancer therapies including high dose Vitamin C IV Therapy and Ozone Therapy. He believes prevention is the best cure and has focused much activity in the early detection and prevention of cancer through proper lab testing. Dr. Porter is a supervising physician at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine where he teaches Naturopathic Medical Students methods for treatment of chronic pain conditions and disease prevention for longevity and improvement in quality of life. Dr. Porter also serves as the director of the East Valley Alternative Cancer Center located at East Valley Naturopathic Doctors.

Margaret: What caused you to choose to become an NMD rather than an MD or DO?

Dr. Porter: I chose to become a NMD because I knew from prior experience how effective lifestyle changes could be on any health condition. It seemed to me that most doctors were ignoring the simple things and were more ready to prescribe a medication than a lifestyle recommendation. I wanted people to be healthier and better off long term from what information I gave them. I felt alternative medicine would do that that better.

Dr. Orlowski: I’ve always been interested in healing. However I did not perceive conventional medicine as often truly healing patients. My observations of conventional medicine are that it doesn’t always address the deeper causes of an illness. Many of the medications and treatments just alleviate symptoms and some cause further heath problems. In Conventional Medicine there is a lot of influence from pharmaceutical companies and an overall capitalistic philosophy where much of it revolves around the profit margin rather than focusing on the true needs of the patient.

Margaret: There are family doctors or Primary Care Physicians and numerous specialties in conventional medicine. What are the specialties in Naturopathy?

Dr. Orlowski: There are Naturopaths that specialize in one modality, such as herbal medicine, homeopathy or IV therapies, while others specialize in areas of practice such as Oncology, Cardiology, Pediatrics or Woman’s Health.

Dr. Porter: Naturopathic Medical Schools train doctors as Primary Care Physicians. The increasing rate of information, knowledge and complexity of disease can inhibit Naturopathic Doctors from staying current on every disease and optimal treatments. Many doctors do specialize in certain areas to the benefit of their patients. There are no specific designations so doctors are able to choose any variety of specialties in Naturopathic medicine they would like to treat.

Margaret: What is your specialty?

Dr. Porter: I am a Primary Care Physician, but I do specialize in chronic pain including musculoskeletal dysfunction and autoimmune disease. I also have an increasing interest in helping cancer patients properly use alternative medicine with standard oncology protocols.

Dr. Orlowski: If there is anything that I specialize is to move energy where energy is blocked. I treat anyone who comes with a problem – I check to see if there is a solution I can bring to it. I do a lot of pain management/relief because of my acupuncture, injection therapies and osteopathic body work. I see many people with stress, low energy or just general malaise, but the principles apply to all disease states so there is not really anything that I don’t treat. I think that by eliminating the beliefs that some conditions are chronic, incurable or in need of dramatic surgical intervention, you open up the possibility of cure and allow it to happen.

Margaret: What other services do you provide?

Dr. Orlowski: I integrate the modern scientific advances of conventional medicine with traditional healing arts and a holistic approach to provide the best solution to the individual that I can. My services primarily focus on improving overall health and preventing disease. I treat general health issues and chronic illness. We also evaluate for and treat metal toxicity. I provide pain relief using neural-fascial release, acupuncture, and FDA approved injectables. Using Neuroscience, I assess and correct neurotransmitter and hormone levels as a natural solution for Depression and Emotional Disturbance. Nutritional IV therapy is another tool in my arsenal to increase energy and boost the immune system. I work with herbs, homeopathy lifestyle modification and some counseling.

Dr. Porter: Complemented by specialty testing, I design individualized treatment plans which can include Acupuncture, IV Therapies, Prolotherapy, and Natural Dopamine Replacement Therapy^® leading to complete resolution of pain. Patients with chronic low back pain, knee pain, neck pain, arthritis, tension headaches, and even fibromyalgia will benefit in just weeks from such a comprehensive approach.

Margaret: Please explain your philosophy or approach to patient care.

Dr. Porter: My philosophy for patient care is summarized by the fact that the body has innate power to heal itself. My goal in working with a patient is to determine what things are missing to allow optimal functioning and to help a patient eliminate those things which stand as obstacles in their path of healing. The body can do amazing things in a very short period of time if we just do the right things and get out of the way.

Dr. Orlowski: My philosophy is to look at each person as an individual. I combine philosophies from Osteopathic, Chinese and Naturopathic  approaches to healing.  We are holistic beings. We are not a collection of separate, disconnected parts, a heart, lungs and muscles; every part of our bodies is interconnected with the rest or our body. Anything that we do to any part of that body affects every other part in some way. Beyond this we are not just flesh, body, mind and spirit we have many levels, each of these levels of being are interconnected and affect each other. Our health care must reflect this multi-dimensionality.  I also use Cranial Rhythmic Assessment, (CRA) in order to “communicate,” with my patient’s higher selves to achieve the highest level of healing. 

Margaret: Could you please relate one or more of your greatest success stories without divulging confidentiality?

Dr. Orlowski: I’ve had a number of people who were sent to hospice and told they were going to die and nothing else could be done for them. After restoring their balance their health improved, and sometimes the cancer went away. Miracles happen every day such as patients who have had an unresolved pain. After they’ve come in to see me sometimes only once, other times only two or three visits and the pain disappears.  I had a patient that came to me with an heart murmur. After I used Body Work the murmur disappeared.

Dr. Porter: My greatest success is still a work in progress. She presented to my office with Rheumatoid Arthritis at age seventeen. The patient was over the next year diagnosed with 4 additional autoimmune conditions each on its own life threatening and causing severe pain. We have brought her condition under control, but it has required weekly IV therapy and Acupuncture for pain. We have learned a great deal about autoimmune conditions as we have learned to effectively treat her. She has reduced her dependence on pain medications by over 70%. She continues to improve each week and will someday be completely free of pain and in remission. Without Natural Medicine there was no hope. She failed to respond to the most aggressive allopathic treatments available for her condition. She will say Natural Medicine has saved her life when no hope was given for recovery.

Margaret: Do you treat pediatric patients in your practice?

Dr. Porter: I have children myself and have treated them using Natural Medicine from birth. I now have an excellent Naturopathic Physician in our office who I send my family to for treatment. She is up on the current protocols and leading treatments and does a fabulous job with the kids.

Dr. Orlowski: Approximately ten percent of my practice is pediatrics. I mostly see ear infections, allergies, colds and flu.

Margaret: Which naturopathic services that you provide are covered by insurance?

Dr. Orlowski: Some cover – IV’s , acupuncture injections, physical exam and blood work. Nutritional consults. Depends on the company.

Dr. Porter: We are considered Out-of-Network physicians. Insurance reimburses according to each patient’s benefit package.

Margaret: How do you assist patients in submitting their insurance claims?

Dr. Porter: Our office specializes in submitting claims to insurance companies for reimbursement and we are one of the only ones to do that currently.

Dr. Orlowski: I spend time sending chart notes, clarifying codes, providing narrative reports, and clarifying notes.  This takes up about 10% of my time spent in the practice.

Margaret: Thanks to Dr. Porter and Dr. Orlowski for sharing their insights and approaches using alternative medicine.