Now Accepting New Patients in Hillsboro

I'm happy to announce that I'm now seeing patients in both Tualatin and Hillsboro. I'll be practicing out of Pacific Compounds Pharmacy (327 SW Baseline Road, Hillsboro, OR) every Thursday from 9-5. General naturopathic care and acupuncture are both available.

I'm accepting new patients for this location and can follow up with existing patients if this location is more convenient. Please call the main office in Tualatin at 503-691-0901 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Hope to see you soon in Hillsboro!
Dr. Bijana Devo

Natural Therapies for Digestive Disorders - presented by Dr. Bijana Devo

Do you experience gas, bloating, heartburn or indigestion after meals? Sometimes? All the time? Have you tried fiber supplements for regularity without success? Do you just feel like your digestion isn't happening as smoothly as you think it should? Join local naturopathic physician, Dr. Bijana Devo to learn how your body digests food, what is normal and healthy and how you can gently and naturally correct problems of digestion.

Date: July 14
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Tualatin VFW 18820 Southwest Boones Ferry Road, Tualatin, OR
No RSVP is required. Please call 503-691-0901 if you have questions.

Understanding Your Cleansing Options - presented by Dr. Bijana Devo

In a world of increasing complexity and diverse, unavoidable chemical and environmental exposures, cleansing can be an important part of a healthy lifestyle. What does cleansing mean? How should you go about a cleanse? It's easy to become overwhelmed by the information on the Internet and the numerous options available in the marketplace. Gain clarity by joining naturopathic doctor Bijana Devo as she explains how the body naturally detoxifies, how we can support that process, and why there are so many different cleanses and cleansing products available.

Location: New Seasons Market: Cedar Hills Location
3495 Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, OR
Date: 9/16/2010
Time: 7pm
RSVP: 503-641-4181 (ask for the Wellness Department to RSVP)

Location: New Seasons Market: Happy Valley Location
15861 SE Town Center Drive, Happy Valley, OR
Date: 9/23/2010
Time: 7pm
RSVP: 503-558-9214 (ask for the Wellness Department to RSVP)

Mercury and Human Health - presented by Dr. Jeff Clark

Mercury is one of the most toxic elements on Earth. We are exposed to mercury through the burning of fossil fuels and its use in medicine and dentistry, and it shows up in food, air and water as a result of industrial and mining pollution. Mercury is implicated as a causative agent for a variety of neurological conditions, including autism, dementia, multiple sclerosis, ALS and Parkinson's disease. It is also thought to be a factor in autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, endocrine dysfunctions (e.g., thyroid disease), sex hormone problems, infertility and birth defects. Low-dose mercury exposure is further implicated in depression and cardiovascular disease. Naturopathic doctor Jeff Clark will discuss the major sources of mercury exposure, the mechanisms of toxicity, ways to minimize your exposure, and your testing and treatment options when mercury is a suspected root cause of ill health.

Location: New Seasons Market - Raleigh Hills location
7300 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy, Beaverton, OR
Date: 9/14/2010
Time: 7pm
RSVP: 503-292-6838 (ask for Wellness Department to RSVP)

Location: New Seasons Market - Happy Valley location
15861 SE Town Center Drive, Happy Valley, OR
Date: 9/16/2010
Time: 7pm
RSVP: 503-558-9214 (ask for Wellness Department to RSVP)

Location: New Seasons Market - Mountain Park location
3 SW Monroe Parkway, Lake Oswego, OR
Date: 9/23/2010
Time: 7pm
RSVP: 503-496-1155(ask for Wellness Department to RSVP)

Location: New Seasons Market - Seven Corners location
1954 SE Division Street, Portland, OR
Date: 9/29/2010
Time: 7pm
RSVP: 503-455-2888 (ask for Wellness Department to RSVP)

Tigard High School Health Fair - Today 10-1

With the advent of spring (even though temperatures suggest it's more like winter - brrr!), it's time for our summer health and community fairs. Today, we'll be at the Tigard High School Health and Safety Fair from 10-1.

We'll be there talking about naturopathic medicine and Chinese medicine/acupuncture and answering questions. Come on over if you're in the neighborhood and/or are interested in learning more about these forms of medicine from practicing local physicians.

We hope to see you there!

Tigard High School

9000 SW Durham Road, Tigard

Naturopaths are Trained to Provide Primary Care

Today's Portland Tribune article, Paging Dr. Alternative, puts the spotlight on naturopathic medicine and it's use in primary care. Primary care is the ideal setting for a naturopathic physician as we are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of both acute and chronic illnesses. We utilize laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging (x-rays, CT's, MRI's, etc.) and our clinical findings to come to the same diagnosis that a medical doctor might make. We are just trained to look at things a bit differently, according to naturopathic philosophy, and to utilize an expanded tool belt.

The naturopathic tool belt includes herbs, diet, exercise therapies, manual therapies (manipulations, massage, and other physical techniques), homeopathy and yes, pharmaceutical prescriptions when needed. The latest additions to our formulary (the list of drugs that we are approved to prescribe in the state or Oregon), mentioned in the above cited article, are important not only so that we are able to practice primary care and prescribe common pharmaceuticals, but also so that we are legally able to take patients off of medications when they transfer their care to us. Prior to the latest formulary changes, we could only take patients off of medications that we were legally authorized to prescribe.

It's exciting to see naturopathic medicine in the news. Keep your eyes open for information about how naturopaths will be included in health care reform efforts.

Press the Restart Button.

Each year we are given a chance to press the restart button on health, after the 1st of the year's resolutions "wear off" you get a chance to start again, with a Spring Cleaning. Not just opening the windows and letting fresh air into the house or sweeping cobwebs out from the corner, what I meant was detoxifying your colon.

Toxins left in our colon can get in the way of smelling the sweet smells of honeysuckle as you walk past them climbing up your neighbors arbor. Tasting the crisp green earthiness of fresh sprouts that have pressed their little heads through the deep brown musty micro-cosmic environment.

Toxins increase our sensitivity (such as allergies) and decrease our ability to truly enjoy the most beautiful things in life. Give your body a spring detox and just wait and see all the wonderful new changes. I just reviewed an excellent example of colon health and the relationship to disease. This video isn't the most attractive presentation, but it gets the point across. You are what you eat.