A Naturopathic Clinic
Bellingham Natural Family Medicine is a multidisciplinary natural health clinic offering naturopathic care for all chronic and acute conditions. Services include primary care for the whole family, clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, exercise therapy, counseling, hydrotherapy, and childhood immunizations. Our doctors include Whitney Knickrehm, ND and Kim Sandstrom, ND, LMP.
The Naturopathic Physician
Naturopathic physicians are the only primary care physicians clinically trained in the use of a wide variety of natural therapeutics. Naturopathic physicians are educated in conventional medical sciences and required to fulfill clinical training prior to licensing. 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. Comprehensive, detailed histories are taken with every patient to help seek the cause of underlying health problems and move toward greater wellness.
Whitney Knickrehm, ND
Dr. Knickrehm has been in private practice providing naturopathic family medicine in Bellingham since 2001. Her special areas of interest include the treatment of chronic and infectious diseases, women's health care and pediatrics. Her practice focuses on strengthening overall health through nutritional therapy, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy and lifestyle counseling.
Dr. Knickrehm is the founder and clinic director of Bellingham Natural Family Medicine. She obtained her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Seattle, Washington, in 2001. 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. The mother of three sons, Dr. Knickrehm and her husband enjoy taking their family bike touring, traveling, skiing, hiking slot canyons in Utah, exploring art galleries and relaxing together around a healthy, home-cooked meal with family and friends.
Kim Sandstrom, ND, LMP
Dr. Sandstrom is a naturopathic physician, massage practitioner, and yoga teacher. She studied naturopathic medicine at Bastyr University where she also cultivated organic vegetables and medicinal herbs in the garden. During her two-year residency at the Bastyr Center for Natural Health in Seattle, she provided health care to diverse patient populations while teaching medical students. She has also worked at many community health clinics around Seattle, serving low-income and minority patients.
Dr. Sandstrom’s clinical interests are women’s health and pediatrics. Depending upon the individual, her treatment recommendations may include nutrition, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, physical medicine, yoga, and conventional medications. She enjoys educating her patients about their health and health care options. In addition to advocating prevention and treating the whole person, she also aims to enhance vitality and quality of life. In her opinion, health is living fully in every moment and having the freedom to move, express, create, breathe, do, and be. It is being in connection and at peace with nature, yourself, and your community.
Prior to becoming a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Sandstrom was a sustainable agriculture Peace Corps volunteer in rural Honduras. It was there that she was introduced to medicinal plants while helping women start community and home gardens. She loves to travel, climb, hike, bike, run, kayak, practice yoga, play frisbee, make tea, garden, and read novels in the sunshine.
(360) 738-7654