FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• I’d like to learn more before I make an appointment.  What is the best way to do this?
• What is the first office visit like?
• How often will I need to come back for follow-up visits?
• Why should I see a Naturopathic Doctor vs. another health care provider?
• Can I still see my MD?
• Why do I need a naturopath when there is so much information available on the Internet about alternative medicine?
• Does naturopathic medicine work?
• What about insurance?
• How much does it cost to see a naturopathic doctor?
• I'm not actually sick but would like ideas on how to remain healthy.  Can I still see you?
• What are your hours?
  
• What therapies do you use?
• I live in another city or state.  Do you offer telephone consultations?
• Do you offer house calls?
• Do you work with children?
• I’m pregnant.  Can I still see you?
• Is your office handicap accessible?

I’d like to learn more before I make an appointment.  What is the best way to do this?

If you have never seen a naturopathic doctor before, and are a little unsure of what to expect if you come to see us, we offer complimentary 15-minute introductory consultations so that you can meet the doctors, see the office, and learn about how naturopathic medicine can address your particular health concerns.  We can also help you determine which type of appointment would best suit your needs.  Please bring your questions to this first meeting!  These consultations can take place in the office, or if you prefer, over the telephone. (back to top)

What is the first office visit like?

As naturopathic doctors, we strive to uncover the underlying cause of your illness, to understand you as an individual, and to develop personalized recommendations specifically designed for you.

• We take the time to listen to you.
• We take the time to understand you as a whole person.
• We take the time to identify and treat the underlying cause of your condition.
• We take the time to create individualized treatment plans that work for you.

An initial visit with one of our doctors may last several hours in order to understand you and your health concerns in detail.  A detailed, individualized treatment plan is custom crafted for you by both doctors (two for the price of one!), and you are supported with regular check-in visits to help you reach your health goals.

We also offer shorter, more focused "a la carte" appointments for those who would like only certain therapies without the full initial intake.  Services in this category include Wellness Consultations, Weight Loss, Detoxification, and Acute visits.

To read more about the various types of appointments available at Lewis Family Natural Health, please review our Appointments page. (back to top)

How often will I need to come back for follow-up visits?

Following your progress after your first initial visit is an essential part of your treatment plan.  We feel strongly about staying present and aware of the progress you are making toward health.  As your body heals, often modifications and adjustments need to be made to your naturopathic plan, and the only way to effectively do this is through regular follow-up appointments.  On average follow-up visits are once a month for 30 minutes. (back to top)

Why should I see a Naturopathic Doctor vs. another health care provider?

Naturopathic medicine is a specific, unique profession.  Many people not familiar with the terminology may assume that any practitioner of alternative natural medicine is a “naturopath;" however, the term Naturopathic Doctor refers to a specific profession.

A visit to a naturopathic physician is unique.  Our shortest visit lasts 30 minutes, and comprehensive initial visits last several hours.

We place a strong emphasis on our patients attaining full wellness and the prevention of health problems in the future. As well as addressing specific health complaints, we encourage all the positive things a patient can do to be well with optimal health, happiness, physical fitness, and mental balance. In addition, we consider your family and personal health history and educate you on how best to prevent familial diseases such as diabetes, heart disease or cancer.

We are NOT a substitute for your regular doctor, therefore it is very important that you retain a relationship with a primary care physician.  We work with your regular doctor to bring you the best of alternative and western medicine.

To learn more about naturopathic medicine, including the education and training required to join this profession, please review the page on Naturopathic Medicine.

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Can I still see my MD?

Absolutely!  We work as a team with you and your current physician(s) to reach your health goals, whether it be relief from a specific disease, supportive therapies that will not conflict with your current medications, or achieving optimal wellness.

If you don't currently have a primary care physician in town, we can give you recommendations.

We see ourselves as a bridge between the conventional and alternative medical systems, understanding drug-herb interactions, and knowing how and when to refer to other practitioners in both systems to provide you with the best health care available. (back to top)

Why do I need a naturopath when there is so much information available on the Internet about alternative medicine?

This is a great question.  There is a lot of information available, more information than any one person could ever sort through.  The trouble with the Internet is the credibility of information; anyone can say anything about anything, whether or not they know what they are talking about.  Like the Snake Oil salesmen of the past, they might just be trying to sell a worthless product.

Figuring out your own natural health care is a little bit like doing your own taxes.  If you have a simple, straight-forward situation, then you might be able to figure things out on your own.  But if you see an accountant for help, they might figure out write-offs and exemptions, and the initial money you spent upfront will be more than compensated by the increased tax refund you wouldn't have generated if you did it all yourself.  If you have a complex tax situation, hiring an accountant is much better than trying to teach yourself what they went to school for years and years to learn how to do.

Same with alternative medicine.  By seeing a naturopath, you are making an investment in your health, hiring a specialist to help you wade through the mass amounts of information available, and create a streamlined, custom-tailored plan for you.  

You are hiring someone who was specially trained to provide you this service.  This isn't just our hobby; we didn't just read a couple books on herbs and take a few weekend seminars.  We went to medical school, four years, year round, passing intensive national board examinations, and logging in over 4,500 classroom hours and 1,000+ supervised patient visits.  We keep up with medical research advances on a daily basis, both in the conventional and alternative medical worlds.  We learned all this information about holistic health so you don't have to.

The hours and money you can save by seeing a naturopathic doctor are hard to quantify.  We have had patients come to us saying that they have already literally spent thousands of dollars on supplements that didn't work that they purchased off the Internet or from a friend's recommendation.  Others call us saying they are at their wit's end; they are so overwhelmed with everything out there that they are paralyzed and don't know where to start. 

If you feel this way, please know you are not alone.  And know that we're here to help. (back to top)

Does naturopathic medicine work?

Yes!  We don't just recommend natural therapies because they are natural; we use them because they work.  But don't take our word for it.  Read what our patients are saying.

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What about insurance?

Naturopathic medicine is not routinely covered by insurance in North Carolina at this time.  Some Health Savings Accounts/Flex Spending Plans can be used to pay for our services. We also have various discounts and packages available to work with your budget.

Despite the lack of insurance coverage, many patients report that they save money over time through reduced medication, less time off from work, and prevention of future more costly health care problems.  One popular service we offer is streamlining your supplements so that you don’t waste money on supplements that may not be helping you.

Compared to other holistic practitioners, you will find our prices to be very fair and affordable.  We never ask you to come in three times a week.  We pledge to never recommend a service, product, or lab test that you don’t need. (back to top)

How much does it cost to see a naturopathic doctor?

We offer a wide range of appointments and services at Lewis Family Natural Health at varying prices in order to make naturopathic medicine affordable for everyone.  Because there is no insurance coverage at this time for our alternative medical services and patients must pay out of pocket, we do offer options such as discounts for seniors and university students, as well as convenient payment plans for those who would prefer to spread the payments out over several months.  We are able to accept cash, personal checks, Visa, and MasterCard (credit and debit).  For specific details on the cost of individual services, please refer to individual appointment descriptions, or download our complete fee schedule here. (back to top)

I'm not actually sick but would like ideas on how to remain healthy.  Can I still see you?

Definitely.  You would probably be a good candidate for our One-Hour Wellness Consultation where we go over general prevention strategies, a general dietary program, and help to streamline and maximize your current supplement routine.  You may also want to participate in a Detoxification consultation to learn how to reduce your overall toxic burden and help prevent disease. (back to top)

What are your hours?

Our normal hours for seeing patients are Monday-Thursday 9:30-4:30 and Friday 9:30-12:30.  Please contact us to about scheduling an appointment that works for you and your schedule. (back to top)

What therapies do you use?

We utilize a wide range of tools in order to promote the body’s healing response including classical homeopathy, herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, lifestyle counseling, allergy desensitization, detoxification, and weight loss programs.  Each person is an individual, so the specific therapies recommended vary for each patient depending your unique needs. 

To read more about each of these natural health therapies, please review the page on Natural Therapies.

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I live in another city or state.  Do you offer telephone consultations?

For patients wishing to be seen by Dr. Eric or Dr. Kristina who live far away or who are unable to physically visit our office, we offer telephone appointments. While we recommend that first office visits be made in-person, arrangements can be made on an individual basis.  Please contact us for more information. (back to top)

Do you offer house calls?

Lewis Family Natural Health is dedicated to serving the health of all patients, even those who are unable to leave their home to visit the office. Depending on the distance the patient's home is to the office, individual arrangements can be made for home visits.  Please contact us for more information. (back to top)

Do you work with children?

Yes.  In fact, because naturopathic medicine addresses the root cause of disease, children often benefit the most because a stronger foundation for positive health is established earlier in life.  Plus, the therapeutics of naturopathic medicine can be the safest type of medicine for anyone because there are little to no side effects associated with treatment. (back to top)

I’m pregnant.  Can I still see you?

Absolutely.  We can help:

• Manage the side-effects of pregnancy (morning sickness, constipation, mood swings).
• Develop a dietary program to optimize your body for a healthy pregnancy.
• Make recommendations and provide excellent quality prenatal vitamins and other baby-beneficial supplements that won’t sit like a rock in your stomach.
  
• Help you deal with other medical issues you are experiencing while pregnant with safe natural remedies that won’t be harmful to your developing baby.
  

Please note: We are NOT a substitute for your obstetrician or midwife; we do not deliver babies and are not a replacement for regular prenatal check ups. (back to top)

Is your office handicap accessible?

Yes.  The entire office is located on the first floor.  Even though we are located in an older building, there is a ramp leading to the front door.  Inside there are wide hallways and doorways as well as a roomy bathroom with plenty of room for a wheelchair. (back to top)