Interview with Andrea Orlowski, NMD

Today my guest is naturopathic doctor Andrea Orlowski NMD. Dr. Orlowski 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.

Margaret: Thank you for visiting with me today. I am interested in why you chose to become an NMD rather than any other kind of physician?

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.

The philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine is as follows:

1.) First do no harm, never give the patient something that will ultimately make them worse.
2.) Work with the healing power of nature. This means utilizing plants, foods and natural medicines provided to us by the earth in their whole, balanced form and also recognizing our bodies natural tendency to return to homeostasis, or perfect health as long as the blocks to healing our removed.
3.) Treat the whole person, we are not a bunch of unrelated parts, but one organism and all aspects of health must be addressed physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
4.) Prevention is the highest form of cure. It is better to recognize that the path we are on is taking us to a place of illness and change it than to wait until we are sick and try to fix it.
5.) Doctor as teacher. We teach people how to live healthy and self correct.
6.) Find the cause of the illness. Do not just treat the symptoms. For example giving iron to an anemic person will bring their iron level up, but it is better to understand why it was low in the first place. Was there a digestive problem that interfered with absorption? Was there blood loss? Why? Treat these issues and you can permanently solve the problem.

The philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine reflects my own philosophy of healing which is why I choose to become a Naturopath.

Margaret: What is the Difference between an MD, NMD and an ND?

Dr. Orlowski: Both Licensed Naturopaths and medical doctors have extensive post graduate training focusing on the basic sciences: Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology etc. After mastering these studies conventional doctors focus on hospital training in medicine, while Naturopathic students learn about alternative therapies and do their clinical training in Naturopathic clinics as well as conventional medical clinics. Both are licensed and regulated by medical boards.
A board licensed Naturopath in the state of Arizona may use either ND or NMD. An NMD can refer for Diagnostic Imaging and Lab tests. NMD’s use natural medicines and procedures most of which are non-invasive and rarely cause side effects. The medical procedures we employ are conservative means of medical treatment including administering, dispensing, or prescribing medicine, counseling; dietary and nutritional evaluations and treatment; dispensing or prescribing medical appliances and devices; medical physiotherapy and rehabilitation; and other medical treatment which does not involve major surgery. As licensed physicians we can prescribe pharmaceutical medications.
There are some on-line schools of naturopathic medicine that do not offer the same level of training and issue degrees with only a year of study. Those graduates may not carry the credential of NMD. They may only use ND behind their name in unlicensed states. They are not board licensed.

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.

Margaret: What is your specialty?

Dr. Orlowski: I see many patients for pain relief, but I do not limit myself to any one specialty or any specific group of patient, I have an affirmation that I put out to God, or the Universe, that I only attract the patients that I can help and that I help the patients I get. In my years of practice I have learned that many “untreatable, or incurable” conditions get better when the body is addressed holistically and the blocks to healing are removed. So I feel that I do not know what I can or can’t “heal,” but if somebody comes to me I must be able to help them. 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.

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.

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.

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

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. For a more in depth explanation of my philosophical approach please visit my website at: http://www.innerlighthealth.com/philosophyofhealing.html .

Margaret: What types of cancer patients do you treat?

Dr. Orlowski: Anybody, using the above approach. I treat the people not the cancer. I don’t look at myself as an oncologist. I am happy to work with people who use other kinds of treatments and therapies. Some prefer to focus on natural therapeutics, with others I focus on alleviating side effects of conventional chemotherapy such as nausea, and treating the causes of the cancer by methods such as detoxifying them. When blood flow and circulation is restored a lot of times the cancer can miraculously disappear. I do refer to oncology specialists – especially Dr. Dan Reuben NMD. I don’t dissuade patients from seeking chemotherapy if that is their choice. Alternative or natural medicine is not always the best approach for each individual.

Margaret: Which cancer patients seem to do the best?

Dr. Orlowski: From my observations, the ones that do best are the ones who deal with their emotional issues. Most cancers have emotional issues behind them and if addressed – no matter what other modality is used, they will improve. Some people deal with their issues on their own because the diagnosis of cancer evokes coming to an understanding of the meaning of life. If not they need counseling to help them cope and restore emotional balance.

Margaret: What kind of pediatric disorders does your practice treat if any?

Dr. Orlowski: All kinds. I mostly see ear infections, allergies, colds and flu. ADD and behavior problems are common and often respond well to Homeopathy.

Margaret: About what percentage of practice of your practice consists of Pediatric patients?

Dr. Orlowski: Approximately ten percent.

Margaret: Under what set of circumstances would you refer to a specialist?

Dr. Orlowski: Any time I feel that I cannot provide the best treatment or if we need more information / diagnosis.

Margaret: Are you aware of any MD’s or DO’s who refer patients to you?

Dr. Orlowski: Yes. There are a couple of DO’s that refer to me frequently. There are some MDs who occasionally send patients my direction.

Margaret: What academic institutions do you have affiliations with?

Dr. Orlowski: I am a Graduate of the Southwest College of Naturopathic medicine.
I have 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.

Margaret: What kind of hospitals or day clinics have you worked in?

Dr. Orlowski: I’ve worked as a supervising Physician at The Southwest Clinic of Naturopathic Medicine, at Las Fuentes, a free clinic in Guadalupe serving the Native American population, various HIV clinics and the ARE clinic. At the ARE I saw a fair number of cancer patients as well providing general practice. They offered 2-3 week intensive treatment programs where patients usually were treated with a mind/body approach addressing physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of their illness.

Margaret: What is your opinion on who should make the decision about which treatments should be used for children?

Dr. Orlowski: Everyone should have the right to believe and choose how they are treated. For adults that is easy. For children it isn’t a black and white picture. My thoughts aren’t clear on it. As a mother I see how much even very young children really have their own opinions and this should be considered. Unfortunately there are real ethical issues. Not all parents have the ability to understand all the factors involved to make good decisions, others are really unfit, drug dependent or neurologically off balance – they wouldn’t be wise decision makers. Yet I don’t think anyone should have the blanket right to make these decisions – especially some state agency. There are a lot of issues to be considered and each one should be decided on a case by case basis. I do feel that people should have the right to use or at least try natural medicine, especially where there is evidence of it’s success. It’s a good question. I wish there was a good answer.

Margaret: Thank you for verbalizing your opinion on this political hot topic. 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 illness completely resolved. 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 a heart murmur and was scheduled for surgery. After a Neurofacial Release session the murmur disappeared and the surgery was cancelled.

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. It depends on the company and the policy.

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

Dr. Orlowski: We provide them with super-bills that include the correct diagnosis codes. We encourage patients to complete their own reimbursement requests. I then submit any information requested by the insurance company.

Margaret: How difficult is it to deal with insurance companies?

Dr. Orlowski: Our office does not submit to insurance for reimbursement because of the unsuccessful attempts in the past. It takes too much manpower to chase down payments and changes the focus of the business, I would have to raise my overall rates to provide this service.

Margaret: How much of your time is spent in satisfying insurer demands?

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: Thank you for sharing your thoughts and teaching me so much about naturopathy. I knew I felt better after coming to see you, now I know why.

Dr. Orlowski can be reached for consultation at:

6005 South 36th StreetPhoenix, AZ  85042

Phone: 602-426-1111

E-Mail: info@innerlighthealth.com

Web: http://www.innerlighthealth.com