A Naturopathic Clinic

Bellingham Natural Family Medicine is a Naturopathic clinic offering herbal medicine, homeopathy, clinical nutrition, physical medicine, exercise therapy, counseling and hydrotherapy. Bellingham Natural Family Medicine is the practice of Whitney Knickrehm, ND.

Dr. Knickrehm

Dr. Whitney Knickrehm practices Naturopathic Family Medicine emphasizing women's health care, pediatrics and the prevention and treatment of infectious and chronic diseases. She obtained her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington. She is a member of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Locally, she is involved in organizations that work to promote integrated medicine and sustainable living economies. Prior to entering the field of medicine, Dr. Knickrehm practiced massage therapy and led extended wilderness courses for Outward Bound. Dr. Knickrehm lectures and writes for local publications.

The Naturopathic Physician

Naturopathic physicians are general family healthcare doctors trained as specialists in natural medicine. They are licensed as primary care physicians. Naturopathic physicians are educated in conventional medical sciences and required to fulfill clinical training prior to licensing. They use therapies from the sciences of clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, exercise therapy, counseling and hydrotherapy. Naturopathic medicine concentrates on whole-patient wellness. The medicine is tailored to the patient and emphasizes prevention and self care. Naturopathic medicine attempts to find the underlying cause of the patient's condition rather than focus solely on symptomatic treatment. It is effective in treating both acute and chronic conditions. Naturopathic physicians cooperate with all other branches of medical science referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.

In practice, naturopathic physicians perform physical examinations, laboratory testing, gynecological exams, nutritional and dietary assessments, metabolic analysis, allergy testing, X-ray examinations and other diagnostic tests. They are the only primary care physicians clinically trained in the use of a wide variety of natural therapeutics.