Details of Services

Offering naturopathic consultations and focused referral services. Collaborating with practitioners at the Washington Institute and with outside referring mental health professionals to provide a wide range of natural medicine care.
“Discovering Your Resources, Helping You Heal.”

Dr. Ralph Wilson, ND

"It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has." -- Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.)

 

 

Initial Naturopathic Appointment

First visit with Dr. Wilson. May include Natural Health Exam or Naturopathic Functional Assessment. Optional focus: Natural Medicine support for Mental Health as specialist service for clients referred by mental health professionals.

Natural Health Exam

The natural health exam is a comprehensive study of the human body using observation skills from the Orient and Europe. It is a preventative approach focusing on organ system efficiency and cleansing. Its goal is to heal the internal workings of the human body rather than just treating symptoms. By improving the condition of the organs and tissues, symptoms will begin to dissipate. The natural health exam looks for imbalances prior to and during a disease state. These imbalances point the practitioner in the proper direction for healing the areas of concern. It also helps with disease prevention. These methods are considered to be a component of Naturopathology, which augments conventional medical care. [See Natural Health Exam page.]

 

 

Naturopathic Functional Assessment

Based on Integrative Medicine and techniques described by Traditional Naturopathy. Includes a preventive approach plus evaluation of obstacles preventing the natural healing power of the body from moving a person toward improved health. In addition to physical observations, this may include AcuGraph Digital Meridian Imaging, Heart Rate Variability testing, basic NES biophysics scan (with no Infoceutical prescription), Iridology, and when appropriate laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging. Diagnostic labels are typically based on homeopathic, Oriental and Ayurvedic medicine.

Treatment recommendations based on this assessment are aimed at freeing the body's natural healing power. In addition, referral to other Washington Institute practitioners can be arranged. Dr. Wilson offers to coordinate with your conventional medical doctor or other outside practitioner. The goal is to empower the patient to be the main provider of support to their body's healing.

 

Chronic Illness Consultation

For new visitors to the Washington Institute who are facing choices (for themselves or a loved one) about health conditions that are complex, and who want to include natural medicine in their health care program. Designed to be prior to deciding on an Initial Naturopathic Appointment, this gives an extended time with Dr. Wilson to help decide next steps to take. This is a blend of a “Meet and Greet” visit and a counseling session so that the visitor can face major choices in a supportive environment. $35 (45 minutes).

naturopathic Counseling

The term “Naturopathic Counseling” was invented to describe the fact that mental health is more than “just in your head.” Dr. Wilson explores structure and function and offers techniques that help you sidestep "mental illness labels" and discover an alternate path to self-control and self-appreciation.

His approach includes considering allergies/hypersensitivities, Autonomic Nervous System function and excesses or deficiencies that affect mind and body. He may use mind-body correlations from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine, and Homeopathic Medicine. His eclectic support of your physical and mental health may also integrate body psychotherapy, eye movement and mental field "tapping", craniosacral therapy, auriculotherapy, insight counseling and various biofeedback technologies.

Sometimes Functional Medicine laboratory testing may be recommended.

He has a depth of experience with supporting people who are dealing with a range of concerns for themselves or their loved one. This can include enhancing wellness, child/adolescent performance, autism, cancer and chronic illness, or end-of-life issues. Dr. Wilson is glad to coordinate with your conventional medical doctor and clergy about this.

 

Natural Medicine and Metal Health

Consultation and focused referral treatments for psychiatrically trained doctors, therapists, clergy, etc. Offered as either Initial Naturopathic Appointment, or as one of the focused services which is requested by the referring resource. With signed release of information, Dr. Wilson will communicate with your doctor, therapist, clergy, etc.

 

 

Functional Laboratory Testing

Laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging are available through Dr. Wilson. Test results are most often used to assess various metabolic functions rather than to decide upon a medical diagnosis label. Repeat testing may be recommended as a way to monitor the response to treatment.

 

AcuGraph Digital Meridian Imaging

Assessing energy of the traditional acupuncture meridians using the “Ryodoraku points.” This calculates Qi level, meridian energy comparisons and more. This can be an excellent introduction to the acupuncture meridians and human electrophysiology. Includes recommendations for acumeridian stimulation treatments at home. May include ear pellets or cold laser treatment in the office. No needles are used.

 

Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Measuring the beat-to-beat variations in heart rate. Computing the influence of the autonomic nervous system and its ability to maintain healthy auto-regulation of the body’s neural function. HRV has been correlated with emotional regulation as well.

 

 

NES ProVisionTM Biophysics Scan

The NES Health internet site states: …Based upon decades of research, ProVision is a powerful tool which enables professional practitioners to take their clients on a healing journey in a simple, easy to use way…NES ProVision is a sophisticated decision support software system designed for professional alternative and complementary health clinics and practices…ProVision allows CAM practitioners to work holistically with clients, enabling them to map each client's healing journey including:

 

 

Biofeedback

1. GSR (Galvanic Skin Response) trains the brain to exert control over the Autonomic Nervous System.

2. RSA (Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia) technology coaches you to “turn on” your parasympathetic nervous system; this is part of your Autonomic Nervous System. [For deeper study read about Stephen Porges, and consult references on Vaschillo's Resonant Frequency Theory.]

2. Heart Rate Variability is a way of assessing your Autonomic Nervous System. Your unique response gives us vital information about your heart’s electrical activity and how your ANS is functioning to control that activity at rest and under stress. When we repeat this test in the future we will be able to monitor improvement in your body’s ability to self-regulate in response to stresses.

Recommendations are given for audio recordings and home exercises. A pair of key resources are the HeartMath.com and HeartMath.org organizations.

 

 

Craniosacral Therapy and Somato-Emotional Release

Can be considered part of the field of body psychotherapy. More than a profoundly relaxing and rejuvenating experience, craniosacral therapy also works on deep inner rhythms that are part of the body's inner healing mechanism. The Autonomic Nervous System is the key to the rapidly growing number of stories of significant benefit from this therapy. "Autonomic Self-Regulation" is enhanced by this innovative therapeutic encounter; self-healing of a number of conditions has been reported in the literature that is developing as a result of wide access to craniosacral therapy. Along with the relaxation and increased sense of wellbeing there sometimes are releases of memories; Somato-Emotional Release is an accompanying technique that may be added during visits after the first one.

 

 

Breathing and Qi Gong Training

Breathing is one of our most important functions and plays a large part in the patterns of disease and health. Breathing can be implicated in 50-70% of diseases as a causative or contributing factor according to Dr Charles Stroebel, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Medical School.1 Dr Konstantin Buteyko, former head of the Laboratory of Functional Diagnostics in the Siberian Soviet Academy of Sciences identifies 150 diseases as being associated with breathing.

Qi Gong is the ancient art of “moving energy” in the body. Dr. Wilson learned a special technique from a Taoist physician at a temple on a mountain in China. Recent research in neuroscience is helping to explain how our intent can make changes in the routing of energy in the brain and body.

 

 

Hypnotherapy/Soma-Focus

Applying recent research in neuroscience and the classic client-directed approach of psychotherapist/hypnotherapist Milton Erickson. Recent discovery of “neuroplasticity” reveals that the brain can form new neural connections, and new cell growth at any age. This means that the brain does not stop growing in early adulthood, but can support creative experiencing of life through the lifespan. Hypnotherapy has helped to increase beneficial immune system chemicals, decreasing inflammation. Positive resources are emphasized. Therapy does not cause repeat experience of the emotions of past traumas.

Soma-Focus refers to client-directed self-control of important physical and immune system factors. The results of Soma-Focus techniques are similar to those used by athletes seeking to enhance their performance.

 

 

Classical Homeopathic Evaluation

Constitutional homeopathy interview. Introduces the patient to the concept of their "Healthy Core Constitution." Includes counseling in self-knowledge and "homework" such as doing their own Emotional Experience Inventory, a Timeline of Shocks and Traumas in their life, and a Creativity/Play History. Books and resources for further study are discussed. Patients receive the experience of a homeopathic remedy that is chosen to specifically target the healthy part of their life.

 

Integrative Homeopathy Consultation/Miasms

[Only available after initial Classical Homeopathy introduction.] Expands upon the basic Healthy Core evaluation and begins addressing such important parts of the person's health as their Timeline of life's shocks and traumas. Integrative Homeopathy describes the approach called "Heilkunst" (from the title of the book by German physician Samuel Hahnemann, M.D.). A description is given of the human being's unseen Energy Anatomy and of the "energy hijackers" known as Chronic Miasms and other disturbing energy experiences that block the natural healing process of their Living Power. Continuing “Therapeutic Education” described with internet resources.

 

SCENAR-class Electro-Stim Pain Treatment

Dr. Wilson has trained to use the original SCENAR. He offers neuro-SCENAR technology, using the Tennant Biomodulator Plus. Dr. Wilson applies this technology within the context of his extensive background in acumeridian science and naturopathic physical therapeutics. The Biomodulator is approved by the FDA for pain and muscle re-education. The patient feels an electric tingling as the cycles of on-off biofeedback stimulate the surface of the skin. The device contains an intricate computerized measurement and treatment algorithm based on original research that was part of the Russian space program; its stimulation can be applied to the traditional acupuncture points. Cosmonauts used the "SKENAR" device to stimulate production of neuropeptides in order to assist the natural self-healing mechanism of the body.

 

Integrative Iridology

Dr. Wilson adapts traditional iridology into his overall assessment of the human physical and energy aspects. Computerized digital photography takes pictures of the iris of the eyes so that he and the patient can discuss the meaning of the different structures that can be seen in the enlarged picture. The science of microcircuits within the body is described as the basis for correlating different zones within the iris to different organ systems in the body. Dr. Wilson describes the iris structure as providing clues to the structure of tissues elsewhere in the body at the time of development in the womb before birth. This is consistent with findings of acupuncture that "everything is connected to everything else"; iridology can give information that points out strong points and areas that need extra support. "Neuro-emotional Iridology" information about personality tendencies -- based on the Rayid system of interpretation -- is also included as described in the book What the Eye Reveals.

 

Auriculotherapy (needle-free Ear acupuncture point treatments)

Often included as part of a naturopathic consultation or counseling appointment. Points on the ear have been described as microcircuits that influence the flow of energy through the meridians of the acupuncture system. Active points can be stimulated by pressure, magnets, laser, mild electrical stimulation. No needles are used.