Holistic Care Approach

Naturopathic doctors (N.D. or N.M.D.) are general medical practitioners specializing in natural medicine techniques. N.M.D.’s treat patients and their disease to restore health utilizing therapies from the sciences of clinical nutrition, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine and manipulation, Oriental medicine, psychological medicine and counseling, minor surgery and hydrotherapy. Naturopaths also learn and can specialize in obstetrics (natural childbirth) and acupuncture. In practice, the Naturopathic doctor can perform physiological examinations, gynecological exams, laboratory testing, nutritional and dietry assessments, allergy testing, x-ray examinations, and other clinical and physical diagnostic testing.

Naturopathic medicine is effective in treating patients with acute and chronic diseases as well as many common health problems. Preventative treatment and education are a primary goal as naturopathic methods help prevent the development of minor illness and the degneration of chronic diseases. Naturopaths also work with other medical professionals, referring when necessary, to provide a complementary medical foundation.

The naturopathic doctor earns a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D. or N.M.D.) from a four-year, postgraduate medical school. States that regulate naturopathic physicians require passing grades on national and state-level board examinations. Their practice is subject to review by a State Board of Examiners. The Doctorate degree requires extensive study and training in basic and clinical medical sciences including:

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Neurology
• Pharmacology
• Minor Surgery
• Radiology
• Gynecology
• Cardiology
• Pediatrics
• Dermatology
• Immunology
• Clinical & Physical Diagnosis

In addition to the standard medical curriculum, coursework in natural therapeutics also includes clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, natural childbirth, naturopathic manipulation, psychology and counseling, Chinese medicine as well as other disciplines of natural medicine.

The foundation of Naturopathic Medicine is based on six principles formulated from the observation of health and disease. Following are the six principles that distinguish naturopathic medicine from other medical philosophies.

The body has the natural ability to maintain and restore health. This natural healing process occurs in response to the body’s life force and the mind’s regulation of the body; creating a balance between mind, body, and spirit. The physician’s role is to facilitate this process by identifying and removing any obstacles to recovery. The Naturopath works to support the inherent healing system by creating a healthy internal and external environment.

The Naturopath is trained to utilize noninvasive therapeutics, which help to support the immune system and the healing power of nature while minimizing the risks of harmful side effects. N.M.D.’s may also work with other health care practitioners to ensure that the patient receives the safest and best possible health care.

All illnesses have an underlying cause, which must be identified and treated in order to achieve complete recovery to health. Symptoms of disease represent the body’s attempt to heal itself, but are not necessarily the cause of disease. Naturopathic medicine primarly addresses the causes of illness rather than just the symptoms. The doctor evaluates the possibilities of underlying causes and directs treatment to the core issues; not just to the symptoms.

Health and disease are associated with a complex interaction of physical, emotional, dietary, genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and social factors. These are conditions of the whole organism and vary according to each individual. The Naturopath treats each person as an individual considering all of the aspects essential to recovery or prevention of disease.

Physician as Teacher (5)

In understanding that the body has the inherent ability to heal itself, the doctor’s major role is to educate and coach the patient in taking responsibility for his/her health. The doctor works to enhance healing by promoting a healthy lifestyle and improving an individual’s ability to fight off disease. Ultimately, though, it is the patient, not the physician, that accomplishes healing.

The fundamental goal of naturopathic medicine is prevention. This approach to health care can prevent chronic or degenerative diseases from developing out of minor illnesses. The emphasis is based on building health and strengthening the body and its systems rather than on just fighting disease. It is the joint responsibility of both the doctor and patient to create a healthier internal and external environment.

Chad R. Kotlarz, N.M.D.

Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Kotlarz has extensive knowledge in the natural healing modalities, coupled with a strong foundation in the medical sciences. He graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor degree in Forensic Science. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Kotlarz went on to attend the nationally accredited Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences, in Tempe, Arizona.

Dr. Kotlarz treats a wide variety of health conditions, including:

• Arthritis
• Allergies
• Headaches
• Chronic pain
• Thyroid Disease
• Recurrent infections
• High cholesterol
• Smoking cessation
• Hypertension
• Menopause
• Digestive problems
• Osteoporosis
• Autoimmunity
• Prostate problems
• Pre/post surgery
• Diabetes
• PMS
• Heart disease
• Fatigue
• Skin problems
• Cleansing/detoxification
• Infertility
• Severe, complex illnesses such as cancer.

Dr. Kotlarz also does hormone testing, lab testing, supplement evaluation, women’s health, weight loss, and nutrition counseling.

Natural therapies and services employed by Dr. Kotlarz include acupuncture, botanical/herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, traditional Chinese/Ayurvedic medicine, natural hormone replacement, anti-aging medicine, and immune system enhancement. Specialized lab tests are available to determine food allergies, hormone levels, digestive function, toxic elements, osteoporosis, heart disease risk, and more.

Patients are treated as a “whole” person, with Dr. Kotlarz considering the mental, emotional, and lifestyle issues as a basis for making a diagnosis. Patient and doctor form a team, working toward wellness, and the patient is empowered to take his/her own active role in the healing process.

AnnAlisa Behling, ND

Dr. Annalisa Behling received her Bachelors in Psychology at Duke University in Durham, NC and Doctorate degree from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR. NCNM is the premier institution of the five accredited Naturopathic medical schools in the country. With her doctorate she practices general family medicine with emphasis on natural and complementary therapeutics.

Dr. Behling is dedicated to treating each person as an individual – considering all aspects essential to recovery and prevention of disease. She is clinically trained and experienced in nutritional medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, oriental medicine, naturopathic manipulation, Low Level Laser Therapy, physical medicine, botanical medicine, as well as psychological and lifestyle counseling.

Medical counsel, guidance, and naturopathic therapeutics are offered to patients suffering from a broad range of acute or chronic illnesses.

Some health conditions Dr. Behling has seen in her practice include:

GASTROINTESTINAL: Constipation, Parasites, Candida (yeast), and Irritable Bowel.

INFECTIONS: Flu, Skin Rashes, Colds, Sinusitis, and ear infections.

WOMEN’S HEALTH: Menopause, hormones, infections, irregular menstruation, fibroids, PMS.

MEN’S HEALTH: Sexual Dysfunction, Prostate Symptoms, Fatigue, High Cholesterol, Stress.

CHRONIC DISEASE: Diabetes, Hypertension, Autoimmune Disorders, Heart Disease, Osteoporosis, and Arthritis.

GENERAL: Pediatric Care, Allergies, Cancer, Weight Loss, Thyroid issues and Immune Support.

Dr. Behling also trained in Leuven, Belgium for Homeopathy and in Stockholm, Sweden for Medical Laser Therapy and has experience working with musculoskeletal pain management and women's health concerns including PCOS, Endometriosis, Fertility, and Fibroids. She also has clinical experience with cancer, HIV/AIDS, anxiety and depression, ADHD, dermatitis, back pain, and other conditions.

*Vice-President of the Michigan Association of Naturopathic Physicians (MANP); Practitioner member of American Holistic Health Association (AHHA) and American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), and NAET