Holistic Care Approach

Naturopathic physicians are primary care providers that are specialists in natural healing. There are two premises that separate naturopathic medicine from conventional medicine. The first is the basic philosophy behind healing. Rather than merely treating symptoms, naturopathic physicians strive to understand and treat the underlying cause of disease. In this way permanent cure may be rendered, which is in accordance with the laws of nature. Secondly, naturopathic physicians use gentle, effective, and drug-free remedies.

Naturopathy developed as a separate and distinct form of medicine in 1902. At that time, naturopathic medicine flourished with more than 20 medical schools, and thousands of practitioners. Drawing from the collective wisdom of cultures spanning the entire globe, over thousands of years, naturopathy stepped forward as a unique entity among the medical community. With the rising popularity of pharmaceuticals, and the “magic bullet”, naturopathic medicine experienced a decline. Currently, naturopathy is reemerging as the premier source for alternative medicine. Society is becoming more concerned with their own longevity and healthfulness, and is more skeptical of drug therapy, which may be toxic.

• Botanical/Herbal Medicine
• Clinical Nutrition
• Homeopathy
• Naturopathic Manipulative Therapy
• Specialized Lab Tests for food allergy, hormone levels, digestive function, toxic elements screen, osteoporosis/heart disease risk, etc.
• Traditional Chinese/Ayurvedic Medicine
• Anti-Aging Medicine
• Natural Hormone Replacement
  
  Treatment for a large variety of health conditions, including:
• Arthritis
• Fatigue
• Hypertension
• Skin Problems
• Diabetes
• Recurrent Infections
• Allergies
• Prostate Problems
• Menopause
• Autoimmunity
• Headaches
• Pre/Post Surgery
• Digestive Problems
• Cleansing/Detox
• Heart Disease
• Thyroid Disease
• Chronic Pain
• High Cholesterol
• PMS
• Infertility
• Osteoporosis
• Smoking Cessation

How are Naturopathic Physicians Trained?

Naturopathic colleges are four-year graduate level medical schools with admission requirements comparable to those of other medical schools. The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree is awarded after 4,552 hours of classroom, clinical, and practical study are completed. These four years include training in the basic medical sciences, along with additional hours in nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, IV/Injection Therapy, minor surgery, and acupuncture among others.

• Anatomy
• Clinical Assessment
• Neurology
• Radiology
• Pathology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology
• Oncology
• Laboratory
• Gynecology
• Cardiology
• Psychology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Physiology
• Rheumatology
• Pediatrics
• Physical Exam
• Pulmonology
• Obstetrics
  

The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine Identify and Remove the Cause:

Naturopathic physicians seek to remove the underlying cause of illness and disease, rather than just suppressing symptoms.

The belief that the human body possesses within it, the inherent wisdom needed to achieve complete health. The duty of the physician is to remove obstacles to cure, strengthen, and support immune function.

The naturopathic practitioner and the patient work as a team toward wellness. The Doctor educates the patient, empowering the patient to take his/her role in the healing process.

Naturopathic approaches use nontoxic, natural therapeutics that are effective, gentle, and without side effects.

Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity, susceptibility to disease, and helping the patient make appropriate changes to prevent illness.

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.