Functional Medicine
A systems based medical approach
focusing on identifying & removing irritants or triggers,
encouraging healthy diet and lifestyle choices,
and supporting the body's normal function.
Functional medicine works well for preventative wellness, chronic disease prevention or treatment,
or in a supportive role with conventional care.
A systems based medical approach
focusing on identifying & removing irritants or triggers,
encouraging healthy diet and lifestyle choices,
and supporting the body's normal function.
Functional medicine works well for preventative wellness, chronic disease prevention or treatment,
or in a supportive role with conventional care.
My Treatment Perspective
I see myself as a Health Detective and Researcher, first and foremost, and strive to find the underlying causes of your ailments and then work on restoring health from there. I take a Functional Medicine approach, which means that I always attempt to find out "why" an illness or imbalance is occurring from a biochemical perspective. Working backwards from "why" will lead us to a treatment that works for you. Together, as a team, we will restore your health and vitality.
Microbiome testing & support
The microbiome is the collection of all the bacteria, yeast, and other organisms in and on us. Humans have co-evolved with this "flora" over the past several million years such that it functions almost as another organ. By the numbers, we are more microbiome than human .
The human microbiome is intricately linked with the human digestion, nutrition, proper immune and neurological function, and even mood. The diet, lifestyle, additives & antibiotics of modern "industrial" living has often impacts the microbiome, directly causing changes in other systems of the body. By supporting the microbiome, and even treating it as another organ, we can further our own health goals.
The human microbiome is intricately linked with the human digestion, nutrition, proper immune and neurological function, and even mood. The diet, lifestyle, additives & antibiotics of modern "industrial" living has often impacts the microbiome, directly causing changes in other systems of the body. By supporting the microbiome, and even treating it as another organ, we can further our own health goals.
Nutritional counseling
We all eat, and we all are what we eat. Whether trying to maintain or attain good health, proper nutrition must be part of any health promotion strategy. As part of this, I address nutrition with each and every patient I see. I don't believe that there is a perfect diet out there that works for everyone, regardless of digestive health, activity level, or ethnic and genetic background. But I do feel there are basic tenants of health that apply to everyone. I've been everything from a vegan to a full fledged carnivore and, while I have my own biases, always meet people where they are at with regards to nutrition to find a dietary changes (if necessary) that will be both helpful and do-able.
Dietary treatments often involve testing for possible food allergies or sensitivities, as these can often be at the root of many health concerns. In addition, while there are many different diets out there, I know particularly well and can advise on the following established diets: GAPS, Specific Carbohydrate, Paleo, Primal, and general whole foods nutrition.
Dietary treatments often involve testing for possible food allergies or sensitivities, as these can often be at the root of many health concerns. In addition, while there are many different diets out there, I know particularly well and can advise on the following established diets: GAPS, Specific Carbohydrate, Paleo, Primal, and general whole foods nutrition.
Digestive Support
One of the adages of Naturopathic medicine is "when in doubt, always treat the hole in the middle". This points to the importance of nutrition, digestion, in maintaining health or addressing most health concerns. if we cannon absorb the nutrients we are consuming or are having immune reactions to the foods we eat, it is difficult to stay healthy or heal. Addressing digestion also impacts our immune system as the majority of our immune system is located along the border of our digestive tract. Our food and dietary choices can cause "leaky gut" immune reactions, digestive upset, joint pain, or many other health conditions.
Having healthy intestinal bacteria (flora) is the other piece of optimal digestion and immune support. Unfortunately, many factors negatively impact the balance of our flora. High carbohydrate diets, repeat courses of antibiotics, chemical exposure and changes in food ecology have negatively impacted many. When necessary, we use gene amplification technology to assess proper microbial balance and to rule out chronic low-grade infections. It is the best current test a way to accurately asses for intestinal balance or dysbiosis.
Finally, there are many functionally supportive nutrients to assist or improve digestive function. Dr Kraft provides particular attention to the proper function of the entire digestive process, provide support where necessary, and always address the diet. If necessary, testing can done either as clinical trials, non-IgG testing for food allergies, or evaluating the bodies ability to properly break-down and absorb food. Sometimes allergenic foods need to be removed and new ways of eating implemented, or specific supplements given to assist or recover normal function. And sometimes it is necessary to cleanse the system and start over.
Having healthy intestinal bacteria (flora) is the other piece of optimal digestion and immune support. Unfortunately, many factors negatively impact the balance of our flora. High carbohydrate diets, repeat courses of antibiotics, chemical exposure and changes in food ecology have negatively impacted many. When necessary, we use gene amplification technology to assess proper microbial balance and to rule out chronic low-grade infections. It is the best current test a way to accurately asses for intestinal balance or dysbiosis.
Finally, there are many functionally supportive nutrients to assist or improve digestive function. Dr Kraft provides particular attention to the proper function of the entire digestive process, provide support where necessary, and always address the diet. If necessary, testing can done either as clinical trials, non-IgG testing for food allergies, or evaluating the bodies ability to properly break-down and absorb food. Sometimes allergenic foods need to be removed and new ways of eating implemented, or specific supplements given to assist or recover normal function. And sometimes it is necessary to cleanse the system and start over.
Detoxification Profiling
Every person has it's their own unique capacity to clear toxins, pollutants, medications and other chemicals from our bodies. And for some, due to genetic factors, the average toxic burden can be too much for the body to process resulting in illness that others may not ever experience. This can manifest sometimes as chronic fatigue, multiple chemical sensitivity, neurological dysfunction, or many other forms of illness. In addition to our individual detoxification ability, we each also have a "total load" of chemicals we are able to handle at any one time. If that load becomes to high for an individual, illness can occur.
Most toxins are cleared in the liver through the action of specific enzymes, and it is possible to test both an individuals ability to detoxify chemicals as well as their potential heavy metal "body burden". This information can also be used to determine an individuals sensitivity to particular medications. With this knowledge, detoxification programs, heavy metal chelation protocols, or specific detoxification support given to address possible detoxification enzyme deficiencies.
Most toxins are cleared in the liver through the action of specific enzymes, and it is possible to test both an individuals ability to detoxify chemicals as well as their potential heavy metal "body burden". This information can also be used to determine an individuals sensitivity to particular medications. With this knowledge, detoxification programs, heavy metal chelation protocols, or specific detoxification support given to address possible detoxification enzyme deficiencies.
Hormonal Testing & Interpretation
Chronic stress, illness, or extremely busy lifestyles can all call upon the adrenal glands and subsequent changes in cortisol release, and other hormones can be impacted by endocrine distupting chemicals in the environment, genetics, and detoxification pathways. These changes can contribute to symptoms such as sleep disturbance, anxiety, fatigue, weight gain, hormone or immune dysregulation. Salivary cortisol testing provides an simple and accurate way to assess adrenal function.
Genetic Testing & Interpretation
Due to what we've learned about genetics in the last several years, we can for the first time in history use our personal genetic profile and apply treatments to compensate for particular enzyme deficiencies. Using this information, it is possible to help identify metabolic disorders originating at the genetic level. Testing can help identify:
- your specific nutritional needs
- your degree of chemical sensitivity
- your personal detoxification abilities
- methylation, neurotransmitter, or antioxidant defects
Acupuncture (Traditional Chinese Medicine & Dr. Tan's Balance Method)
Acupuncture has been practiced for several thousand years as a way to treat disease and re-balance the body through stimulating points along the acupuncture channels, also known as meridians. Originating in China, acupuncture is part of a Taoist system of medicine that approaches each individual as an interconnected sum of physical, emotional and spiritual qualities. I treat with a combination of traditional Chinese acupuncture philosophy, combined with the sophisticated "Balance Method" developed by Richard Tan, LAc.
Acupuncture is an effective and drug-free way to treat many forms of illness as well as for relieving pain in the body. Particular conditions which I have had great success treating or using as adjunct treatment include anxiety, insomnia, back pain, neck pain, arthritis, tendonitis, and all forms of headaches. The needles used are individually sterilized and extremely small, resulting in practically pain-free needling. Once the needles are in, all one has to do is relax and lie on the table for 30 minutes. Treatments are typically very relaxing.
Acupuncture is an effective and drug-free way to treat many forms of illness as well as for relieving pain in the body. Particular conditions which I have had great success treating or using as adjunct treatment include anxiety, insomnia, back pain, neck pain, arthritis, tendonitis, and all forms of headaches. The needles used are individually sterilized and extremely small, resulting in practically pain-free needling. Once the needles are in, all one has to do is relax and lie on the table for 30 minutes. Treatments are typically very relaxing.
Conditions I treat most frequently
- Wellness counseling
- Autism
- ADHD
- Crohn's, Colitis, IBS
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic pain, arthritis, or back pain
- Chronic Fatigue
- Stress, depression, anxiety, and adrenal fatigue
- Allergies
- Eczema
- Arthritis
- Thyroid or other hormonal conditions
- Mild depression or anxiety
- Healthy aging
- Heart Disease
- High Cholesterol