Healing Philosophy
Welcome to
Aura Functional Medicine
We recognize that every person is unique and are committed to understanding the attributes that make you who you are. Unlike the conventional medical model, which uses standardized algorithms to prescribe the same treatment for everyone with the same diagnosis, we take a more personalized approach that honors your individuality.
Our name, “Aura,” reflects this philosophy – meaning “a distinctive air or quality characteristic of a person or thing.”
At Aura Functional Medicine, we are dedicated to providing healthcare that is truly tailored to your specific needs, so you can achieve optimal health and well-being.
Functional Medicine and Naturopathic principles and therapies serve as the foundation of our signature Whole Health Transformation Program.
Welcome to
Aura Functional Medicine
We recognize that every person is unique and are committed to understanding the attributes that make you who you are.
Unlike the conventional medical model, which uses standardized algorithms to prescribe the same treatment for everyone with the same diagnosis, we take a more personalized approach that honors your individuality.
Our name, “Aura,” reflects this philosophy – meaning “a distinctive air or quality characteristic of a person or thing.” At Aura Functional Medicine, we are dedicated to providing healthcare that is truly tailored to your specific needs, so you can achieve optimal health and well-being.
Functional Medicine and Naturopathic principles and therapies serve as the foundation of our signature Whole Health Transformation Program.
Listening To Your Body
It Begins With Understanding
Your body functions very much like an ecosystem, and factors like your nutritional status, physical and emotional stress, digestive and gut health, sleep, and your environment are all interconnected. When the factors that promote health are in alignment, your body’s ability to self-heal is incredibly efficient and effective.
Healthcare
A Tale of Two Systems
We believe the current “Healthcare” System Is Really a “Sick Care” System… and here’s why:
The truth is that there are two different worlds of health care.
Since you’re here, you’re probably aware of “alternative” or “holistic” medicine including naturopathy, functional medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, and others. But the approach that most people have experienced is the traditional insurance model.
Some people also refer to this model as conventional, mainstream, or allopathic medicine.
The traditional insurance model focuses on emergencies, acute care, and symptom management, where your insurance will pay for the diagnosis and treatment of a specific condition. The treatments offered are usually medications, surgeries, or radiation, but sometimes physical therapy and other modalities are included.
Conventional healthcare practitioners are well-meaning, but they are working within a broken system that was never designed to help people heal on a deep level and stay vibrant.
The doctor is limited in what testing they can order for you, how much time they can spend with you, and what treatments they can offer. Their focus is to manage your condition within the confines of what your insurance will pay for.
The traditional insurance model works very well when you have an emergency like a broken leg, strep throat, or a ruptured appendix. However, this model does not have all the tools to help you unravel the complex, chronic types of illness that affect our world today, and it doesn’t even have the time to try.
Even more troubling is the fact that there is an estimated 50-year gap between the newest research and its integration into real-world medical practice.
Healthcare
A Tale of Two Systems
We believe the current “Healthcare” System Is Really a “Sick Care” System… and here’s why:
The truth is that there are two different worlds of health care.
Since you’re here, you’re probably aware of “alternative” or “holistic” medicine including naturopathy, functional medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, and others. But the approach that most people have experienced is the traditional insurance model.
Some people also refer to this model as conventional, mainstream, or allopathic medicine.
The traditional insurance model focuses on emergencies, acute care, and symptom management, where your insurance will pay for the diagnosis and treatment of a specific condition. The treatments offered are usually medications, surgeries, or radiation, but sometimes physical therapy and other modalities are included.
Conventional healthcare practitioners are well-meaning, but they are working within a broken system that was never designed to help people heal on a deep level and stay vibrant.
The doctor is limited in what testing they can order for you, how much time they can spend with you, and what treatments they can offer. Their focus is to manage your condition within the confines of what your insurance will pay for.
The traditional insurance model works very well when you have an emergency like a broken leg, strep throat, or a ruptured appendix. However, this model does not have all the tools to help you unravel the complex, chronic types of illness that affect our world today, and it doesn’t even have the time to try.
Even more troubling is the fact that there is an estimated 50-year gap between the newest research and its integration into real-world medical practice.
Based On Timeless
Foundational Wisdom
“Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.”
– HIPPOCRATES, FATHER OF MEDICINE
The Difference Between
Suppression vs. True Healing
If you develop headaches, the conventional doctor may recommend a medication for the pain. And while this can provide relief, it doesn’t address the cause of your headaches. Headaches can be caused by dehydration, food reactions, toxic chemicals, tight muscles, stress, and more.
So, the medication takes your headache away, but your body is still out of balance under the surface.
In reality, the headache was merely a symptom of a deeper disturbance in your body.
Symptoms are key indicators that something’s not right, and your body will communicate with you by bringing it to your attention. But if we label those symptoms as “disease,” rather than seeing them as indicators that are trying to tell us something, we will only be working on the surface level and masking symptoms.
When symptoms are masked without getting to the root of the problem, it’s called suppression. Suppression often yields results that are minimal or short-lasting, and it usually leads to more health issues down the road. Suppressing symptoms is like fanning away the smoke while letting the fire continue to burn. If we eradicate those symptoms without tackling the underlying imbalances, we’re silencing your body and ignoring the roadmap that would show us the way to your healing.
The Difference Between
Suppression vs. True Healing
If you develop headaches, the conventional doctor may recommend a medication for the pain. And while this can provide relief, it doesn’t address the cause of your headaches.
Headaches can be caused by dehydration, food reactions, toxic chemicals, tight muscles, stress, and more. So, the medication takes your headache away, but your body is still out of balance under the surface.
In reality, the headache was merely a symptom of a deeper disturbance in your body.
Symptoms are key indicators that something’s not right, and your body will communicate with you by bringing it to your attention. But if we label those symptoms as “disease,” rather than seeing them as indicators that are trying to tell us something, we will only be working on the surface level and masking symptoms.
When symptoms are masked without getting to the root of the problem, it’s called suppression. Suppression often yields results that are minimal or short-lasting, and it usually leads to more health issues down the road. Suppressing symptoms is like fanning away the smoke while letting the fire continue to burn. If we eradicate those symptoms without tackling the underlying imbalances, we’re silencing your body and ignoring the roadmap that would show us the way to your healing.
Moving Beyond
Supressing Symptoms
When symptoms are masked without getting to the root of the problem, it’s called suppression. Suppression often yields results that are minimal or short-lasting, and it usually leads to more health issues down the road. Suppressing symptoms is like fanning away the smoke while letting the fire continue to burn.
Understanding
Our Healing Philosophy
Your body is wired for self-healing. When you get a simple cut or scrape, you probably don’t worry too much about it or wonder how it will get better. You know it will heal on its own, even if you don’t understand exactly how that happens.
The truth is, the inside of your body is meant to heal the same way. There is an intelligent healing power – a force of life – flowing inside of you. This is the same vital force that heals your wounds, makes your hair grow, and keeps your heart beating.
At Aura Functional Medicine, we acknowledge that this force is always working in your favor to compensate for any imbalances that are going on, and its goal is to heal, repair, and restore you back to health.
“Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.”
– HIPPOCRATES, FATHER OF MEDICINE.
When your body is lacking the building blocks that it needs for function and repair, or if there are major obstacles blocking the flow of healing in your body, symptoms begin to show up as your body’s cry for help. When we work together, we serve as your trusted guide and help you become the catalyst behind your own healing.
Understanding
Our Healing Philosophy
Your body is wired for self-healing. When you get a simple cut or scrape, you probably don’t worry too much about it or wonder how it will get better.
You know it will heal on its own, even if you don’t understand exactly how that happens.
The truth is, the inside of your body is meant to heal the same way. There is an intelligent healing power – a force of life – flowing inside of you. This is the same vital force that heals your wounds, makes your hair grow, and keeps your heart beating.
At Aura Functional Medicine, we acknowledge that this force is always working in your favor to compensate for any imbalances that are going on, and its goal is to heal, repair, and restore you back to health.
“Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.”
– HIPPOCRATES, FATHER OF MEDICINE.
When your body is lacking the building blocks that it needs for function and repair, or if there are major obstacles blocking the flow of healing in your body, symptoms begin to show up as your body’s cry for help. When we work together, we serve as your trusted guide and help you become the catalyst behind your own healing.
Ultimate Wellness
A Philosophy For Healing
Dr. Alison seeks to support the body’s inherent self-healing process in the most gentle and efficient ways by addressing obstacles to healing while supporting the foundations of overall health.
How life’s strains impact health
The Stress Bucket
A popular analogy that we use with our patients is the concept of a “stress bucket”. Anything that stresses your body will fill up this bucket over time. Your history of mental/emotional and physical stress including traumas, injuries, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition will fill the stress bucket along with a multitude of environmental toxins and infections.
Your body is incredibly resilient and can handle a lot, but if that stress bucket fills up and starts to spill over, you start to experience health problems. We also must consider that genetically, some people have a very small stress bucket, and they can be more prone to health challenges.
Our goal is to empty the stress bucket as much as possible while also limiting additional stressors that might fill the bucket. You don’t have to be perfect to get well, you just have to empty the bucket enough so that it stops spilling over.
How life’s strains impact health
The Stress Bucket
A popular analogy that we use with our patients is the concept of a “stress bucket”. Anything that stresses your body will fill up this bucket over time. Your history of mental/emotional and physical stress
including traumas, injuries, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition will fill the stress bucket along with a multitude of environmental toxins and infections.
Your body is incredibly resilient and can handle a lot, but if that stress bucket fills up and starts to spill over, you start to experience health problems. We also must consider that genetically, some people have a very small stress bucket, and they can be more prone to health challenges. Our goal is to empty the stress bucket as much as possible while also limiting additional stressors that might fill the bucket. You don’t have to be perfect to get well, you just have to empty the bucket enough so that it stops spilling over.
Why Naturopathic Medicine Works
Naturopathic medicine (naturopathy) is a centuries-old system of health care with a holistic approach to addressing the underlying imbalances that lead to illness. Translated literally, ‘naturopathy’ means treating disease and suffering with natural means.
At Aura Functional Medicine, our highest goal is to support the body’s inherent self-healing process in the most gentle and efficient ways by supporting the foundations of health.
Contrary to popular belief, naturopathic medicine should not be considered “alternative.” Rather, it should be the logical starting place for anyone because:
- Often, it’s all that’s needed to restore a person to health and keep them well
- It will enhance the effectiveness of other treatments and medical interventions
Modern naturopathic medicine combines safe and effective natural therapies with the most current advances in science. And unlike conventional or “allopathic” medicine, which works opposite of your body, the therapies we offer at Aura Functional Medicine work with your body to optimize its healing efforts.
Our signature Whole Health Transformation Program incorporates our healing philosophy, empowering you to live with more vitality.
Why Naturopathic Medicine Works
Naturopathic medicine (naturopathy) is a centuries-old system of health care with a holistic approach to addressing the underlying imbalances that lead to illness. Translated literally, ‘naturopathy’ means treating disease and suffering with natural means.
At Aura Functional Medicine, our highest goal is to support the body’s inherent self-healing process in the most gentle and efficient ways by supporting the foundations of health.
Contrary to popular belief, naturopathic medicine should not be considered “alternative.” Rather, it should be the logical starting place for anyone because:
- Often, it’s all that’s needed to restore a person to health and keep them well
- It will enhance the effectiveness of other treatments and medical interventions
Modern naturopathic medicine combines safe and effective natural therapies with the most current advances in science. And unlike conventional or “allopathic” medicine, which works opposite of your body, the therapies we offer at Aura Functional Medicine work with your body to optimize its healing efforts.
Our signature Whole Health Transformation Program incorporates our healing philosophy, empowering you to live with more vitality.
Naturopathy is a system of medicine that prioritizes natural, non-invasive therapies to support the body's self-healing mechanisms. Homeopathy is actually a separate, distinct system of medicine that uses highly-diluted substances called "remedies" to stimulate the body's natural ability to heal. Naturopathic doctors are trained in the use of homeopathy as a natural therapy, and we do sometimes recommend homeopathic remedies for our patients.
Professionally-trained naturopathic doctors complete a 4-year, accredited naturopathic medical program. When searching for a naturopathic doctor, it is very important that you select a provider who has attended CNME-certified program. Only these providers are eligible to take board exams and obtain a license or registration to practice.
NDs receive training in all of the basic sciences including anatomy, physiology, histology, genomics, biochemistry, pathology, immunology and microbiology. They are also trained in clinical sciences such as pharmacology, gastroenterology, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, pediatrics, gynecology, psychiatry, dermatology and minor surgery, plus all aspects of diagnosis using labs, imaging (x-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound) and physical examination.
A naturopathic doctor completes an internship with over 1,100 hours of patient care and takes rigorous two-part board exams to become licensed or registered by a state or Canadian province. Some naturopathic doctors also obtain board certification in the areas of oncology or pediatrics.
NDs speak and understand the language of conventional medicine, but they have a broader set of tools and insights to offer their patients. Naturopathic medical education places a greater emphasis on healthy lifestyles, natural therapies and disease prevention, and less emphasis on pharmaceutical therapy. NDs also learn therapies such as Chinese medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, and counseling. In contrast, conventional medical school curriculum is based heavily on drug and surgical treatments, with few or no courses offered in nutrition, botanical medicine or non-drug therapies.
Where NDs differ greatly from MDs is in their philosophy and treatment approach.
Naturopathic doctors correct the underlying disturbances that are contributing to a person's illness rather than only suppressing symptoms. NDs prioritize gentle, non-invasive therapies first and use drug treatments or surgery referrals only when necessary. Prevention is paramount to naturopathic practice; instead of waiting for disease to surface, NDs work to intervene before it happens. Naturopathic doctors are known for spending a considerable amount of time with their patients, which is in contrast to the short appointments that are common in the conventional setting.
With all of their similarities and differences, both conventional and naturopathic medicine play important roles in our healthcare system, and both have strengths and limitations.
Naturopathy is a system of medicine that prioritizes natural, non-invasive therapies to support the body's self-healing mechanisms. Functional medicine emerged from the principles of naturopathic medicine. Functional medicine is simply the coined term for an approach to health care that is holistic and patient-centered and incorporates the latest scientific understanding about how environmental and lifestyle factors interact with individual biology to influence sickness and health. Like naturopathy, functional medicine aims to prevent disease and help the patient live with more vitality.
