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What is a Naturopathic Physician and why choose one?Naturopathic Physicians (NDs) are trained in the same core medical sciences as Medical Doctors (MDs) and Osteopathic Doctors (DOs), but their approach to treatment and prevention is distinct. While MDs and DOs often focus on symptom management through medication or surgery, NDs aim to identify and eliminate the root causes of illness. This holistic approach allows the body to heal naturally, often reducing or eliminating the need for pharmaceuticals or surgery. NDs also emphasize active disease prevention by advising on lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors. Patients who choose NDs are typically proactive about their health, willing to make dietary and lifestyle changes to achieve optimal wellness and prevent future diseases.
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Why is PCNM different than other naturopathic offices or functional medicine providers?This has to do with the approach that is being taking and the goal of treatment. An unfortunate trend we have seen in medicine is where providers still take the approach of "symptom management", but instead use various nutrients and herbal medicines to suppress symptoms rather than identify and remove the causes of those symptoms. These providers generally prescribe a LOT of supplements, because supplements are not nearly as strong as pharmaceuticals, so it is much more difficult to manage symptoms using natural substances alone compared to drugs. We are fans of minimalism and focusing on the foundational pieces of health. Our goal is to use the least amount of intervention and the least amount of supplements and treatment to help you reach your health goals. This means putting more focus on diet, lifestyle, addressing deficiencies, imbalances and optimizing organ and cellular function so the body can do all the hard work in healing. You can also read more about this here.
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Can my PCNM doctor be my PCP (Primary Care Doctor)?Yes! In many cases we can act as your PCP. Certain insurance providers, however, may not allow us to act as your PCP and may assign you a PCP or insist that your PCP is a an MD/DO in-network with your plan in order to have optional payment coverage for services. Some plans also consider us a specialist and you may have a higher copay.
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Do you offer Virtual Services?We do! Many of our patients meet with us virtually when an in-person appointment is not necessary. Initial Comprehensive New Patient appointments can be virtual or in-person. In-person is preferred so we can complete a comprehensive physical exam and collect any needed labs at the time of the initial visit. But, we are able to begin with a virtual appointment to get a treatment plan started and have you come into the office at a later date for physical exam and/or labs. If an in-person visit is not needed, we can send lab orders to Providence, Legacy, Kaiser and Quest locations at your convenience. We can also send imaging orders to facilities and we can have speciality lab kits and supplements shipped to your door or available for pick up from our office. All of our providers are licensed to see patients who are physically in Oregon at the time of their visit. For nearby Washington patients, care must be established in-person first before we can begin virtual visits. For those located in other locations around the world, please contact us to see if we are able to consult with you.
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Where can I park!?If you have an in-person appointment at our downtown office, we recommend using the Smart Park at SW 10th and Morrison. The best way to enter the garage is from SW Yamhill. Please see our Contact page for more information regarding parking and our location.
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What is Hydrotherapy?Naturopathic hydrotherapy is a relaxing treatment that has been used in the profession for over 100 years to help stimulate circulation to the various organs, increase lymphatic movement and detoxification. Treatments generally take about an hour and involve alternating hot and cold applications to the chest and the abdomen. This is combined with specific physiotherapy devices to help stimulate organ function according the patient's individual needs. There is no need to wear a swimsuit! Patients undress from the waist up and are provided a gown for modesty. Many times, patients fall asleep during the treatments, read a book or listen to relaxing music. These treatments are a vital way to help improve cellular function and healing for both acute and chronic disease.
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How do I pay my bill?You can pay any remaining patient balances by phone, online or by mail if you received a paper bill. If you have a credit card on file with us, we can simply process your card for the remaining balance. Online: Log in to your patient portal through Charm. Select "Billing" to view invoices and make payments. By phone: 503-894-8977, we are open Mon-Fri 8 am to 5 pm By mail: You can mail a check to our office at: 511 SW 10th Ave, Ste 707 Portland, OR 97205
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Who do I contact for billing questions?If our support staff are unable to answer your billing questions, you can contact Katrina Richardson. She is our biller and she can be reached via email or phone: E-mail: billing@pacificnaturalmedicine.com Phone: (253) 655-7115
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I don't live in Oregon, can I still schedule a virtual appointment?Yes! Please start with a Complimentary Consultation or by contacting us by email. We are able to consult and provide health coaching with clients in select states and provinces as well as internationally, depending on regulation of Naturopathic Medicine where you reside. You can read more about this here. If you're ready to schedule, you can do so from the Book Now page. Please select the General Consultation, Initial (clients outside of OR/WA) appointment type. If you ordered lab services through our site and would like to purchase and schedule an appointment for consultation, please select the Lab Interpretation (Direct Order Labs) through your ND or nutritionist of choice. You can read more about Functional Lab services here.
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What is your cancellation policy?We require 48 business hrs. notice for appointment reschedules or cancellations. If you are unable to let us know within 48 hrs. of your appointment time, there will be a $75.00 fee. You can read our full policy here.
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What is consulting or health coaching, and how is it different from medical treatment?Health coaching and general wellness consulting focus on education, nutrition, lifestyle, and behavior change. These services are not medical care and do not include diagnosis, treatment, prescriptions, or physical exams. Clients are expected to maintain a relationship with a licensed healthcare provider for all medical needs. Think of coaching as a partnership to help you make informed, empowered choices—not a replacement for medical care.
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What is included in a coaching or consultation session?Each session is a focused, one-on-one conversation where we explore your goals, symptoms, and challenges. We’ll work together to build a plan around nutrition, lifestyle habits, mindset, and targeted supplementation if appropriate. It’s a supportive space to get clarity, strategy, and momentum, Specific medical treatments, such as prescriptions or diagnoses, are not provided. Instead, we focus on nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle strategies to support your overall wellness.
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Is this covered by insurance?No, wellness coaching is not covered by insurance and is considered an out-of-pocket service. You may use HSA/FSA cards if your provider allows it, but you should confirm that with them directly.
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What kinds of health concerns do you work with?We work with a wide range of concerns and health goals—things like fatigue, hormone balance, digestion, blood sugar, stress resilience, autoimmunity support, and more. While we don’t diagnose or treat specific conditions, we can work on supporting your body’s systems through strategic lifestyle and nutrition work and help you feel empowered with your health and wellbeing.
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Do you work with clients outside of Oregon and Washington?Yes—we genuinely want to support people everywhere, especially those who don’t have access to naturopathic care or functional nutrition locally. That’s why we offer virtual wellness consulting and coaching worldwide. Clients in Oregon and Washington may be seen as medical patients under our naturopathic licenses or functional nutrition licenses. Clients outside of Oregon and Washington receive wellness support through coaching and education. These services are designed to empower you with guidance around nutrition, supplementation , lifestyle, and self-care. While they don’t include medical diagnosis or treatment, they offer a supportive space to help you move toward your health goals.
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Do you offer virtual sessions?Yes, all wellness coaching is conducted virtually so you can access support no matter where you live. Sessions are typically held via secure video or phone call, depending on your preference.
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Can you work with my doctor or other medical providers?Yes. Many clients appreciate having support that complements their existing care. We're happy to help you prepare questions or summaries to bring to your doctor, and you’re welcome to share any of our work together with them.
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Can you order labs for me as part of consulting or coaching?While lab orders are not part of coaching or consulting itself, you can access a full menu of Functional Labs separately. These tests are available to anyone and can be added before or after coaching to help guide your wellness plan.
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Will you tell me what supplements to take?We can suggest supplement strategies based on your symptoms, goals, and lab results (if available), but these are educational recommendations—not medical prescriptions. You’re always encouraged to share them with your healthcare provider.
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Can I do coaching or consulting without lab tests?Yes, absolutely. Lab testing is optional. Many clients start with coaching to work on foundational habits and only explore labs later if needed.
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How often should I do coaching or consulting sessions?That depends on your goals, but many clients start with biweekly or monthly sessions. Ongoing support helps with accountability, troubleshooting, and evolving your plan over time.
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Can I book just one session?Yes. You can start with a single session if you’re looking for a review, a second opinion, or just need direction. For deeper work, most people benefit from a series of sessions.
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What kinds of lab tests can I order through you?You can order a variety of functional and standard lab tests, including panels for hormones, gut health, nutrient status, detox pathways, inflammation, thyroid, blood sugar, and more. We partner with reputable specialty labs and Quest Diagnostics to offer a wide range of options.
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How does the lab ordering process work?Choose the lab test(s) you’re interested in. Pay for the test and processing/admin fee. You'll receive instructions for collection with your test kit or via email (Quest Diagnostics orders) Send in your sample or schedule your blood draw, instructions provided via test kit or email. Once results are in, you’ll receive a copy by secure portal. Optionally, book an interpretation session to go over the results together.
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Do I need a doctor’s order to access these labs?No. Through our platform, you can access lab tests without needing a doctor’s order. We work with partner labs that allow for direct-to-consumer testing. These functional lab tests are designed to provide meaningful insights into your health and support greater awareness of potential imbalances. While they can be a powerful tool for wellness exploration, they are not a substitute for medical diagnosis, treatment, or care. Purchasing a lab test does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Personalized interpretation and health recommendations are available through a separately scheduled consultation. If you reside in Oregon or Washington and wish to establish medical care, you may do so through a Comprehensive New Patient Appointment via the Book Now link. For all other medical needs, please consult your personal healthcare provider.
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Can you help me choose which labs to order?Yes—We can help you understand which labs might offer insight into your wellness concerns. This guidance is educational and based on patterns, symptoms, and goals you share. It’s not a medical diagnosis or a prescription. You’re always encouraged to discuss labs and results with your primary care provider too. You can also take our online Health Quiz which will help prioritize which systems you may need additional support, and then you can browse lab offerings for these systems such as digestive, hormones, adrenals, liver and detoxification, nutrients and thyroid.
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What are the costs involved?Each lab test includes the lab fee plus a specimen coordination/admin fee. Lab interpretation sessions are optional add-ons. You’ll see a full breakdown of pricing in each lab test description.
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What is your refund policy?Lab tests are non-refundable once the the kit has been shipped. If you would like a refund, please contact us as soon as possible by email or phone. We can issue a refund for the cost of the test kit only if the order has not yet shipped. Coaching sessions may be rescheduled with advance notice, but refunds are not offered for no-shows or late cancellations (less than 48 business hours notice). You can read our full cancellation policy here. Phone: 503-894-8977, office hours are typically 9 am - 5 pm Pacific Time. Email: contact@pacificnaturalmedicine.com
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Can I share my lab results with my doctor?Yes, and we encourage it. Many clients use our sessions to gather insights and then loop in their medical provider for further support.
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Where can you ship test kits?Currently, we can only ship test kits within the United States. Due to state restrictions, I cannot ship lab kits to NY, NJ, or RI.
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What happens after I get my lab results?You’ll receive your results directly. From there, you can schedule a lab interpretation session where we’ll go over the findings together, discuss what they may mean in a wellness context, and talk through next steps for your nutrition, lifestyle, and supplement plan. We’ll guide you through your results so they’re easy to understand and help you feel confident about your next steps. Specific medical treatments, such as prescriptions or diagnoses, are not provided. Instead, we focus on nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle strategies to support your overall wellness.
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Can you help me understand my lab results?Yes—through a dedicated lab interpretation session. We’ll review your lab results in plain language, connect them to your symptoms and goals, and explore action steps you can take. Specific medical treatments, such as prescriptions or diagnoses, are not provided. Instead, we focus on nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle strategies to support your overall wellness. Schedule a Lab Interpretation (Direct Order Labs) through our scheduling page.
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Do you offer supplement or diet recommendations?Yes—based on your lab results and personal wellness goals, we can suggest targeted nutrition and supplement strategies for educational purposes. These are not prescriptions. You’re encouraged to share any recommendations with your licensed medical provider.
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Can I continue coaching after my labs are interpreted?Absolutely. There are a few locations we are unable to provide this service, we will let you know if we can continue working with you. Ongoing coaching is often where the real transformation happens. We can continue to track your progress, fine-tune your habits, and explore deeper support based on your lab findings and goals.

Frequently Asked Questions:
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