Our naturopathic physician, Dr. Maura Henninger, takes a holistic, comprehensive approach to clients’ health or Naturopathic Medicine, considering not just clients’ primary concerns, but also all aspects of their well-being. Treatment plans include some combination of the following:
Nutritional Consultation: Personalized diet recommendations are tailored to specific client needs at CCBH. Dr. Henninger draws on a wealth of experience in the field of nutrition as an ND and Certified Nutrition Specialist to determine what foods are right for each client, based on needs, deficiencies and sensitivities. She’ll evaluate the current diet and recommend changes that will optimize eating habits to help each person feel his or her best, using ‘food as medicine’ without restricting the diet unnecessarily. Additionally, she will make recommendations about supplementing with certain vitamins, minerals, amino acids for each person’s particular needs. Food plans and recipes are provided.
Diagnostics: Dr. Henninger utilizes a wide range of diagnostics to determine the state of the body including: Blood Chemistry, Hormone Testing for Men/Women, Heavy Metal Testing, Digestive Analysis, Food Allergy Testing, Candida Assessment, Neurotransmitter Testing, Adrenal Evaluation, Detoxification Profile and Metabolic Testing. Dr. Henninger will also evaluate any lab work that has already been done.
Herbal Medicine: With a history dating back thousands of years, and the support of current, cutting-edge research documenting its efficacy, the use of herbal medicine is inarguably effective for most forms of chronic disease, without many of the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Dr. Henninger is highly trained in the use of botanical medicine, as well as in possible drug-nutrient interactions, ensuring that the use of herbal medicine is as safe and effective as possible.
Homeopathy: Dr. Henninger is a practitioner of homeopathy, with extensive training in this system of medicine, which was developed in Germany over 200 years ago. Homeopathy has been practiced in the United States since the early 19th century. It is used for prevention as well as the treatment of all kinds of disease and imbalance. Homeopathy is based on the principle that you can treat ‘like with like’, that is, a substance which causes symptoms when taken in large doses, can be used in small amounts to treat those same symptoms. For example, drinking too much coffee can cause sleeplessness and agitation, so according to this principle, when made into a homeopathic medicine, it could be used to treat people with these symptoms. This concept is sometimes used in conventional medicine, for example, the stimulant Ritalin is used to treat patients with ADHD, or small doses of allergens such as pollen are sometimes used to de-sensitize allergic patients. However, one major difference with homeopathic medicines is that substances are used in ultra high dilutions, which makes them non-toxic. Practitioners of homeopathy treat people based on genetic and personal health history, body type, and current physical, emotional, and mental symptoms. Treatments are “individualized” or tailored to each person—it is not uncommon for different people with the same condition to receive different treatments. Homeopathic medicines (which homeopaths call remedies) are prepared by specialist pharmacies using a careful process of dilution and succussion (a specific form of vigorous shaking). Homeopathic remedies are derived from natural substances that come from plants, minerals, or animals. Common remedies include red onion, arnica (mountain herb), and stinging nettle plant.
As yet, science has not been able to explain the mechanism of action of ultra high dilutions in the body, but laboratory experiments have repeatedly demonstrated that homeopathically prepared substance cause biological effects. Homeopathy has an extensively documente clinical record and hundreds of high-quality, peer-reviewed basic science, pre-clinical and clinical studies support its efficacy.
Detoxification: If she sees fit, based on clients’ health history and diagnostics, Dr. Henninger will recommend a detoxification program. Good candidates for detox include those with heavy metals, poor digestive function, excess weight, or a chronic problem that might benefit from a cleansing of the body’s systems. Detoxification programs are tailored to individual needs.
Craniosacral therapy (CST): This is a gentle, noninvasive, hands-on way of evaluating and improving the functioning of the craniosacral system, which is comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using soft touch, usually no greater than the weight of a nickel, the CST therapist can recognize and release restrictions in the craniosacral system to enhance the function of the central nervous system. CST works to assist the body’s own natural healing processes and is used as an effective means for treating a wide range of disease and dysfunction, particularly chronic neck and back pain, TMJ, depression, anxiety, hormonal imbalance, headaches, and immune disorders. Many patients experience emotional and physical relief after a Craniosacral Therapy session. Dr. Henninger is an experienced, certified CST practitioner and often incorporates it into treatment, if she sees fit.
Exercise: The practitioners at CCBH envision exercise as an integral part of each client’s health picture. Not only does it keep our bodies in shape, but the benefits to our brains has been well-studied: it reduces stress, decreases anxiety and depression, increases brain chemicals that are responsible for making us feel happy, improves self-image, prevents cognitive decline, and can connect us with nature, which is so important. When we exercise, we sleep better, are more productive, and lead more contented lives. Our on-staff naturopathic physician, Dr. Maura Henninger, incorporates exercise into all of her treatment plans and can assist clients to develop personal and appropriate plans for their needs.