Assessment Tools

ASSESSMENT TOOLS

  One of the most important goals of naturopathic medicine is to “Find the Cause” rather than just treat the symptoms.  Dr. Brainerd has access to a wide variety of assessment tools to help her determine the underlying cause(s) of your health problems.  Following is a partial list of available tests:

  Adrenal Stress Index    

          This is a salivary test to determine the functional health of the adrenal glands.  You collect four samples during a typical day in order to track the pattern of cortisol release.  The results of this test will help Dr. Brainerd create an individualized treatment plan to restore your adrenal balance.

  Advanced Allergy Therapeutics (AAT)

          AAT assessment and treatment results in rapid, long-term relief of allergy symptoms in the vast majority of patients, without the use of needles, supplements, or avoidance of offending substances.  It is a system which merges 21^st century science with 3,000 year old Chinese Medicine.  Through biofeedback, it helps Dr. Brainerd determine what substances are causing your symptoms and what organ systems are affected by those substances.    By treating those organ systems with acupressure along the spine, the symptoms are directly affected.  In most cases, symptoms are reduced significantly within the first 1-3 treatments.

          Please see the Advanced Allergy Therapeutics link at the top of the page for a list of conditions and symptoms that can be caused by underlying allergies and sensitivities.

  Blood Typing Kit

          Dr. Peter D’Adamo has written extensively about the beneficial and negative effects of foods on  patients with different blood types.  Dr.  Brainerd has seen very positive results when patients make the commitment to tailor their diet to their particular blood type.  Often patients report that symptoms resolve, weight comes off, and their energy level improves.

  Comprehensive Stool Analysis

          There is a wealth of information gained from this stool test, including the type and quantity of beneficial and harmful flora in your system, the presence and level of inflammation, as well as the presence of enzymes and other markers which show how well your body absorbs and digests food.  Using this information, Dr. Brainerd can create a personalized treatment plan to help restore your intestinal balance and regain healthy gastrointestinal function.

  Microbial Stool Analysis

         A less expensive, more focused test than the comprehensive stool analysis, the microbial stool analysis provides data on beneficial and nonbeneficial bacteria and yeasts without the added functional markers for absorption and digestion.

And many more…including conventional laboratory tests covered by health insurance.