THE DOCTOR IS IN: The hiatus explained

Many of my patients and friends have asked if I am back in practice and why. For those who don't know, I closed my practice to patient care and remained available for consulting only as of January 1, 2011. My plan was to write and get the health care message out to many via newspaper and/or blog.

I took a trip to India late January/February 2011 which ended up having a huge impact on my life. The changes and direction as a result of this journey are to again serve by giving naturopathic health care.

I am happy to do so, renewed and inspired. I know in America many are getting inaccurate health information, medications that are not needed and that stress and cost of health care alone is adding to ill health. I am "sick of it"!!!

I will continue to get the message out that you have options in your health care, and you have the potential to heal, especially when you are given the guidance, and given medicines that heal.

I am still highly interested in helping those with cancer who are interested in healing, and those who need support while undergoing chemo/radiation. Yes, there is so much that will help you,help side effects and return your health after treatment.

I am learning about health problems caused by dental infections and dental materials. I am incorporating more homeopathic medicine treatment, after studying with homeopaths who get phenomenal results with cancer and other disease.

I am interested in other modalities of healing. I see that we are more and more accepting of what was once considered alternative or "woo woo". The seemingly unbelievable healing methods will become the norm. Such things as light therapy- notice how lasers and infrared are now widely used, it is just a hop to light therapy. Sound therapy, already acknowledged as music therapy, again, sound waves have an effect on human cells and it is just a hop to incorporate this natural vibration into a modality.

Meanwhile, our tried and true herbal medicines used for centuries and a gift from the earth, homeopathic medicines, cheap and effective; specific nutritional supplements, dietary guidelines and many other natural medicines are a part of this doctor's bag. Feel free to make an appointment or call with questions.

CONSULTING:

Several questions come up for people who are new to naturopathic medicine and other treatment possibilities outside of the western medical arena.

What do you do?
Is it safe and effective?
What do I do about my medications?
Do you treat – ….name a condition…..?
Is there something you can do so I can avoid this surgery?
I have been told I have- name a condition- and I don't want to take drugs.
I have- name a condition- and have been taking medications that are not helping.
I am tired of taking all these drugs, is there something else I can do?

You can schedule a consultation in which all of your questions, even your fears and doubts, can be voiced. Since you have not been educated about naturopathic medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathic medicine, and the perspective that you can actually reverse disease, it is reasonable to start with some explanations.

I do offer a 10 minute free consult in which you can ask general questions and get an idea of how I would approach your situation. However if you have a lot of questions and want to have answers that will guide your personal health care, a consultation would be helpful for you.

What is a consultation vs. a regular office visit? If you come for an office visit I will have a treatment plan for you at the end of the visit. In a consultation, I will not tell you what to take, I won't prescribe herbs, homeopathic medicine or dietary advice. You will get your questions answered and be given suggestions that could be for further testing, getting a specific treatment, or being educated about how your health condition came about, from my naturopathic medical perspective.

Second Opinions: I advocate that many people seek a second opinion. Too often, patients are told they have a disease that is permanent and they will need to take "xyz" medication forever. This simply is not the case. Once you engage in naturopathic medicine, you will find out that diseases can be cured. Why? Because the medicines we use actually improve your physiology, the treatment plans are made based on your individual situation and will take you through the steps necessary to return function to your organs, and health to you.

How many visits!? This question is often asked and is difficult to answer. It seems to come with a financial concern most often. I will always try to do my best for you and my goal is to have you free from pain and limitations. The answer is that getting your health back is a process of fixing systems, clearing and rebuilding. Yes, it takes time, body time is not as speedy as the computer digital age, but the reward is feeling your original self again. You can take your health and healing as far and deep as you want to go. You can get relief of an acute cold and leave the underlying chronic conditions, or you can chip away at the chronic condition. One thing it is important for you to know, is that is possible to heal.

BIO

Dr. Sarah Lane graduated from John Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine, in Seattle in 1988. She began practice in a holistic clinic run by Dr. Fernando Vega, M.D., an early mentor. When she moved to Montana in 1991, Dr. Lane met Mary Stranahan, D.O., who was interested in incorporating alternative medicine with conventional medicine. Dr. Lane worked in the medical clinic in Arlee with Dr. Stranahan and others and then at the integrative clinic The Medicine Tree, built later in St. Ignatius. Dr. Lane was a licensed massage therapist in Seattle while doing pre-requisites for Bastyr College. Since graduating from naturopathic college Dr Lane has done many additional trainings and studies. These include:

Dr. Lane is a licensed naturopathic physician in the state of Montana. She is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the Montana Association of Naturopathic Physicians, serving as President.