Here are a few questions frequently asked by new patients:
General FAQ
Acupuncture FAQ
BioEnergetics (BIE) FAQ
General FAQ
What makes a naturopathic doctor different?
Our primary goal is to use supportive means to promote health and wellness as well as treat disease conditions. Naturopathic medicine concentrates on whole-person wellness; the treatment is tailored to the individual patient and emphasizes prevention and self-care. ND’s strive to find the underlying cause of the patient’s condition rather than focusing solely on symptomatic treatment.
Can Naturopaths prescribe drugs or order labs and imaging studies?
In the state of Washington, naturopaths are currently licensed to prescribe and manage legend substances. They can also order all labs and imaging required of a primary care physician.
Will visits be covered by my insurance?
We are accepted by and bill many insurance plans. Visits, lab tests, and imaging studies are usually covered with a co-payment or co-insurance as required by the carrier, but supplements, herbs, vitamins, and tinctures are not usually covered. Please contact your insurance plan to verify specific coverage for naturopathic medicine.
What training does a naturopath receive?
Licensed naturopathic doctors attend a 4-year, graduate level, accredited medical school where they are trained as primary care physicians. The three major areas of study are biomedical sciences, clinical sciences, and naturopathic therapeutics.
Acupuncture FAQ
What are the acupuncture needles like?
The FDA requires that sterile, nontoxic needles be used and that they be labeled for single use by qualified practitioners only. Thin, solid, stainless steel needles are gently manipulated by the hands or by electrical stimulation.
After your treatment, the needles are immediately disposed of in a “Sharps” medical waste disposal container.
What will my first visit be like?
During your consultation, Dr Lalani will collect a complete history and detailed evaluation of your condition. She will then take your pulse, examine your tongue, and sometimes palpate your abdomen or check for tender areas along the meridians. The initial visit usually lasts 1 hour. Subsequent visits are 45 minutes.
How often do I have to come?
Treatments are done on a weekly basis, sometimes twice a week to get you started. Your treatment course will be determined after the first visit and reassessed after each session. Even though many people feel immediate results, we reevaluate after 4 treatments.
How can I prepare for my acupuncture session?
Be sure to eat a light meal before your appointment so that your body has energy to work with. Sometimes a person who has not eaten will feel lightheaded or weak when receiving an acupuncture treatment. It is important to be well hydrated before and after the treatment. Please wear shorts and a tank top or loose clothing so that the arms and legs below the elbows and knees, as well as the abdomen, are easily accessible.
BioEnergetics (BIE) FAQ
How many BIE sessions do I typically need?
Generally, it requires only 1 to 4 visits to maintain homeostasis.
In most cases, homeostasis can be achieved after the first visit.
In order for the body to achieve homeostasis, the client may require additional visits dependent upon:
- The stress level of the client
- The amount of bodily toxins
- The strength of the person’s immune system
- The client’s level of hydration
Once homeostasis is achieved, there is usually no need for subsequent or yearly visits for the same substance.
What can I expect after a BIE treatment?
People will react differently to their stressor. For example, they will notice that they no longer get the digestive upset or allergy- like symptoms they used to get when exposed to the same substance. Sometimes, when the body begins to balance itself, minor symptoms like the odd headache, sore throat, sinus congestion, tired or lethargic feeling, aches and pains or possibly even nausea can occur and are all usually signs of the body cleansing. This is known as the “healing process ”. The body is merely re-experiencing the same symptoms, temporarily, as it now returns on the uphill road, throwing off and eliminating toxic wastes.