Naturopathic medicine is a unique approach to healthcare that emphasizes prevention, treatment and optimal health through the use of natural therapeutic methods and substances that encourages indiviudal’s inherent ability to restore and maintain their own body. The Naturopathy choice and lifestyle has been around for many years, but recently it has grown both in awareness and popularity by individuals and families who desire a healthier, familiar and non-invasive approach to their well-being. With the recent revolution of health care awareness, it’s no mystery as to why naturopathic medicine is at the forefront.
The naturopathic approach, though familiar, still has its own set of mysteries. Just what exactly are the benefits of an “all natural medicine” lifestyle? Fortunately enough, we were able to sit down with Doctor ken Weizer, a Natural Doctor who proves valuable information on the naturopathic approach.
Q: Please give us some background regarding your credentials. What type of education did you pursue to become a naturopath (naturopathic physician)? Please be specific regarding the schools you attended, your major, and any additional certification programs you attended that led you to this point.
Dr. Ken Weizer: ND from National College of Naturopathic Medicine
Q: A lot of people are confused about the legitimacy of naturopathic medicine. Can you expand upon your educational pursuits to explain the similarities and differences in training that you received as opposed to an allopathic practitioner?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Naturopathic education is 4 years of post graduate study. The first 2 years are similar to MD training, and the second 2 years focus more on natural lifestyle medicines – nutrition, physical medicine, homeopathy, herbs, supplements, and exercise.
Q: Are you a member of any additional professional organizations? Do you have any other credentials or accolades (public speaking, published author, etc.)?
Dr. Ken Weizer: I do speak often, and have taught classes on health and healing for 22 years. I taught oncology at the naturopathic college in Portland for 12 years. I now enjoy doing workshops on ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine’.
Q: What inspired you to practice naturopathic medicine as opposed to allopathic medicine?
Dr. Ken Weizer: My own journey through cancer. And instinct.
Q: What are your views on the relationship between allopathic medicine, naturopathic medicine, ancient healing practices, and modern scientific research?
Dr. Ken Weizer: People are suffering. Help them.
Q: What are your views on allopathic medical practices and medications? How do you view the relationship between allopathic diagnostic procedures and natural healing methods?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Use any and all tools in a wise and humble way.
Q: Do you practice naturopathic medicine in general or do you focus your practice on the treatment of certain, specific conditions. Do you feel you are an expert in the treatment of a particular disorder or disease; or, do you prefer to work with specific groups of people (children, women, diabetics, etc)? Please explain.
Dr. Ken Weizer: Most of the patients I see have cancer. And I do work in 2 hospitals in their cancer centers. I enjoy this work very much, and I do hope that in the last 14 years I have been of service to at least 1 person. If so, it is all worth it.
Q: If a new patient with varied medical conditions walked into your office, how would you explain your diagnosis methods? Would you order bloodwork and tests that most patients consider part of allopathic medicine? What procedure would you follow in terms of testing in order to create a diagnosis and treatment plan, and how would you explain it to someone who is unfamiliar with naturopathic medicine?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Most people with cancer that I see are already diagnosed and fully worked up. Otherwise I work in a team of doctors and refer as needed and send for blood work and testing as needed.
Q: In what instances, if any, would you tell a patient that allopathic treatments would be safer or more effective than a natural or alternative treatment? What criteria do you use to decide when a person should be seeking allopathic remedies as opposed to natural?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Most cancers are potentially more curable with oncology treatments.
What are some of the most common ailments you see that are effectively treated with natural methods? Please give an example.
Dr. Ken Weizer: Side effects of cancer treatment. Chemotherapy kills fast growing cells, including the lining of the digestive system. I help patients rebuild their digestive tract and hopefully, have less side effects.
What are some of the greatest obstacles you face when practicing naturopathic medicine?
Dr. Ken Weizer: There are no obstables, except my own ingorance and ego, with are both vast.
What instance, in your mind, stands out as one of your greatest success stories in treating someone via naturopathic methods?
Dr. Ken Weizer: The greatest success is the patience and kindness that my patients have been teaching me about life, living, dying, and love.
What type of diet plan do you generally recommend to your patients? A lot of people automatically assume that following a naturopathic plan means eating a vegetarian or vegan diet. What are your views on the importance of having (or avoiding) animal proteins and fats?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Generally a whole foods Mediterranean diet. I am pro fat, pro omnivore, and pro bacon, butter and eggs.
What are your views regarding the use of probiotics and digestive enzymes? Do you find that the majority of your patients benefit from these types of therapies?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Yes, in foods like yogurt and kefir, and in supplement form.
Today’s society sees a lot of people suffering from conditions that lead to chronic pain. From a naturopathic perspective, what are your views on pain management?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Drugs and supplements can help a lot. Hydrotherapy and massage and exercise can help a lot. The mental emotional side of pain needs to be addresses, as it is critical and often not addressed.
Diabetes and high blood pressure are two very common conditions impacting society today. What is the thought process behind treating these conditions via naturopathic methods?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Change what you think, do, eat. Stress is critical to heal. Eat fat, decrease flours refined carbs and sugars. Enjoy life.
If there was one piece of advice regarding naturopathic health care you could give anyone who would listen, what would it be?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Find someone who will truly listen to you, to your story. Run from practitioners who do many tests and give you many pills.
What is best way to contact you to book an appointment, visit your clinic, or ask for a phone consultation?
Dr. Ken Weizer: Call the office – 503-216-0246
