Naturopathic Medicine

Hill Park Medical Center > Naturopathic Medicine
Integrative Medicine, Naturopathic Medicine, Oncology

Welcome Dr. Heidi Lucas, ND FABNO to Hill Park Integrative Medical Center

We are very excited to announce a new addition to our medical team, Dr. Heidi Lucas, ND FABNO.

Dr. Heidi Lucas is a highly skilled Naturopathic Doctor specializing in integrative cancer care for the past 20 years. She combines conventional and natural medicine to provide personalized treatment plans to heal from the side effects of treatments, enhance treatment outcomes, strengthen the body, improve quality of life, and enhance overall health.

Dr. Lucas provides consultations for cancer patients and their families in all stages of cancer from recent diagnosis and active treatment to maintenance phase, as well as those with a strong family history of cancer. Many of her cancer patients continue in her care for ongoing family medicine concerns as Dr. Lucas is known for her depth as a clinician and her commitment to patients’ lifelong wellness.

Dr. Lucas completed her doctorate at Bastyr University and a rigorous two-year oncology based residency at Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, where she was invited to continue as a staff physician for 6 years and received her board certification in naturopathic oncology care, earning a position as a Fellow of the American Board of Naturopathic Oncology (FABNO). She continued as an integrative oncology physician associate at Lifespring Cancer Treatment Center. She is a committee member of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians and an active member of the California Naturopathic Doctors Association.

Dr. Lucas has worked alongside oncologists and conventional physicians for the entirety of her career, and is frequently sought by conventional oncologists for her expertise in integrative oncology and natural medicine. She is an active educator and speaker of integrative oncology at leading cancer centers including the Hearst Cancer Resource Center, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Oncology Nursing Society, American Cancer Society, Gilda’s Club, Cancer Lifeline, Rooted SB, Bastyr University, and many hospitals around the country.

As a naturopathic doctor, specializing in oncology, Dr. Lucas offers expert care in research and clinically based nutrition, evidence based and historical uses of botanical medicine, mistletoe therapy, integrative oncology IV therapy, individualized meditation instruction, as well as exercise plans and therapeutic yoga to optimize immune function and stress management.

Dr. Lucas believes in nutrient-dense therapies and is a strong advocate of farm to table sustainability, which is advocated in her incredible detail to phytonutrient treatment plans down to specific vegetable varieties. As a certified Therapeutic Yoga and Meditation teacher, Dr. Lucas innately understands the body’s capacity to heal and embodies this practice herself in her own way of life.

“Every patient is an individual with their own story and voice. I use a multifaceted approach to treatment that includes engaging the mind, heart and physical body.”

We are honored and so very excited that Dr. Lucas will be joining our Hill Park team and community. We innately know that her expertise will strengthen our community, her care and knowledge will change the course of life for many of our patients, and that our amazing region will embrace her.

Dr. Lucas is currently accepting new patients starting July 29th.

Dr. Lucas will see patients remotely via telehealth, phone consults, or in-person at our center every 2-3 months. She will be at Hill Park July 29, 30, and 31st to see patients. We are actively scheduling her wait list, please call our Patient Coordinator Gabrielle to learn more about Dr. Lucas’ practice and scheduling.

You can reach us at 707-861-7300 or [email protected] to schedule an in person or telemedicine appointment or book an appointment through the website.

Alternative Cancer Care, Integrative Medicine, Men's Health, Naturopathic Medicine, Uncategorized

Prostate Biopsy: Is it Necessary? How to Decide and What to Do

by Eric Yarnell, ND

If you have an elevated PSA level and it has been recommended that you have a biopsy, consider these important tips before you do.

First, it is becoming more and more clear that a prostate MRI should be done before any biopsy. There are several reasons why:

    1. Many MRIs show there is no cancer, and thus a biopsy would be a waste of time.
    2. If an MRI does show a spot that might have prostate cancer, the biopsy can be targeted to that area instead of being somewhat random.
    3. Almost always, this means a prostate biopsy can be limited to just 1–3 samples being taken, instead of the standard of 12 or more.
    4. The MRI can also show other important information such as the size of the prostate, if the seminal vesicles, urinary bladder, lymph nodes, or bones in the area are being affected.

Overall, prostate MRIs help reduce the number of prostate biopsies, which is a very good thing, while providing lots of other information ultrasound-guided biopsies can’t deliver, or aren’t as good at assessing.

It is crucial that the MRI is done on a 3 Tesla strength machine (older MRI machines had 1.5 Tesla magnetic fields and are not sufficient for seeing the prostate). If you have concerns about the contrast material used in MRIs, we have natural therapy options to help counter the low risk of side effects they may cause.

A proper MRI will give what is known as PI-RADs score. This is a standardized assessment of how likely it is that serious prostate cancer would be found on a biopsy. Generally speaking only PI-RADS 4 or 5 lesions should be biopsied, and sometimes even these prove not to be cancer. If there is only a PI-RADS 3 lesion, then usually it means no biopsy is needed and a repeat MRI should be done in a year (almost always without contrast on this follow-up imaging). PI-RADS 1 and 2 lesions never need to be biopsies.

There are other tests Dr. Yarnell can discuss with you as well to help determine if a prostate biopsy is necessary in the first place.

Second, if the MRI shows an issue or a prostate biopsy is going to happen, it is imperative that it be a transperineal, not a transrectal biopsy. Currently over 90% of prostate biopsies are done through the rectal wall, which does provide good and fairly easy access to the prostate. However, this brings with it a quite high risk of infection, including potentially deadly sepsis. This risk is so high, that the entire country of Norway has essentially abandoned transrectal prostate biopsies, and in 2021 the European Association of Urology agreed, saying only transperineal biopsies should be done. In this type, the needle or needles are placed through the skin between the base of the penis and the anus. While a bit more challenging for the urologist, it provides just as good information and is dramatically safer.

Dr. Yarnell can help explain all these options to you, and help advocate with your urologist to make sure you get an MRI when appropriate. If it appears a biopsy is recommended, Dr. Yarnell will help support you getting a transperineal prostate biopsy focusing only on problem lesions, and not a transrectal prostate biopsy or a fishing expedition all over your prostate. Furthermore, he can provide natural treatments to go with the biopsy to reduce the already very low risk of side effects even further.

Some patients are concerned that a biopsy will spread cancer. Two studies have looked into this concern with prostate biopsies. One found that while very rarely you could find evidence of prostate cancer cells in the blood after a biopsy (just 4 cases out of 42 studied). This supports the long-held naturopathic notion that the immune system can take out a few errant cells that might escape during a biopsy. Another study found that in just 2% of prostate biopsies was there any evidence of cancer cells being pushed around inside the prostate by the needle. Given that the rate of prostate cancer mortality has gone down despite the near tripling of the number of prostate cancer biopsies being performed, it is highly unlikely that prostate biopsies cause any significant amount of cancer spread. Again, Dr. Yarnell can recommend some supplements to help reduce this already extremely low risk if you wish.

If you want a forward-thinking doctor who really puts patients first, stays up-to-date on the latest findings, and can implement a science-informed natural approach to prostate problems of all kinds, then call and make an appointment to see Dr. Yarnell.

 

References

Bastacky SS, Walsh PC, Epstein JI (1991) “Needle biopsy associated tumor tracking of adenocarcinoma of the prostate” J Urol 145(5):1003–7. 

Midiri F, Vernuccio F, Purpura P, et al. (2021) “Multiparametric MRI and radiomics in prostate cancer: A review of the current literature” Diagnostics (Basel) 11(10):1829.

Moreno JG, O’Hara SM, Long JP, et al. (1997) “Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy causes hematogenous dissemination of prostate cells as determined by RT-PCR” Urology 49(4):515–20.

Wolinsky H (2023) “Death Spurs Country’s Shift to Safer Prostate Biopsies” Medscape Medical News, March 15, https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/989696

BioIdentical Hormone Therapy, Chronic Illness, Environmental Medicine, Fertility, Healthy Goals, Integrative Medicine, Naturopathic Medicine, Women’s Health

Welcome Madeleine Morrison, ND to Hill Park Integrative Medical Center

We are very excited to announce a new doctor to our medical team, Dr. Madeleine Morrison, ND. After building and leading a successful family practice of 26 years in Alaska, Dr. Morrison has recently returned home to her native bay area and is thrilled to be part of our Hill Park community!

Dr. Morrison is a traditional Naturopathic Doctor with a depth of family practice experience that specializes in pediatrics, women’s health, endocrinology, autoimmune diseases, and gastrointestinal conditions. Dr. Morrison provides full pediatric care including well-child visits from birth onward, and welcomes acute and chronic family medicine concerns for patients of all ages.

Dr. Morrison’s passion is complete naturopathic family medicine for all ages to restore health and well-being. She strives to educate and treat people individually, to meet their best lives possible, in order to have healthier communities.

Dr. Morrison incorporates modern laboratory tests, updated functional medicine and lifestyle changes to bring about better health. Her individualized treatment plans include a specialty in traditional Chinese and Western botanical medicine, nutraceuticals, homeopathy, and extensive knowledge of Ayurvedic medicine lifestyle. As a certified Viniyoga instructor, Dr. Morrison incorporates the precepts of Viniyoga into her patient’s lifestyle prescriptions, as well as achievable self-care goals for balanced health.

Dr. Morrison received her doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from National College of Naturopathic Medicine (now National University of Naturopathic Medicine), the oldest Naturopathic school, in Portland, Oregon. She graduated with an additional degree in Naturopathic Obstetrics and pursued five years of clinical study with Dr. Tori Hudson ND, a preeminent teacher, doctor, and researcher of naturopathic Women’s Health.

Schedule a Free 15-Minute Introductory Consult with Dr. Morrison

Please contact our staff at 707-861-7300 or [email protected] to schedule an in person or telemedicine appointment or book an appointment through the website.

Alternative Cancer Care, GI Health, Integrative Medicine, Men's Health, Naturopathic Medicine, SIBO

Gastroenterology Specialty at Hill Park

We hope this finds you well and enjoying the final days of summer. We’re reaching out with some exciting news that Dr. Eric Yarnell, ND is now seeing patients for gastroenterology concerns!

As the author of the definitive textbook of naturopathic Gastroenterology, The Natural Approach to Gastroenterology, he is one of the preeminent practitioners and teachers of gastroenterology in the naturopathic profession. As a professor to medical students and doctors for over 20 years, he is much sought after for his expertise from the medical community.

Dr. Yarnell’s specialization includes Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), IBS, gallbladder/liver, intestinal parasites and microbiome imbalance with additional focus in identifying the underlying concerns of chronic diarrhea/constipation, gas/bloating, and abdominal pain. He is uniquely specialized in difficult cases of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis) and undiagnosed digestive problems.

Dr. Yarnell is a noted authority specializing in men’s health, gastroenterology, and herbal medicine. He is known for his extraordinary, compassionate, and personalized care for his patients. As a highly awarded and beloved doctor, mentor, researcher, and professor of Naturopathic Medicine and Botanical Medicine, it’s truly an honor and privilege to have him serve our community.

Dr. Yarnell is currently accepting new patients and will be doing in-person patient care this September.

Alternative Cancer Care, GI Health, Integrative Medicine, Men's Health, Naturopathic Medicine, SIBO

Eric Yarnell, ND at Hill Park Integrative Medical Center

Eric Yarnell, ND, RH(AHG) (Bastyr University, 1996) is a researcher and professor at Bastyr University and has been in practice for 25 years, focusing on and mentoring student doctors in men’s health, urology, gastroenterology, and nephrology, with a heavy emphasis on herbal medicines. Dr. Yarnell works to find the underlying causes of conditions and to use whatever tools are needed (preferably natural ones, saving conventional approaches only for those few cases where they are truly necessary) to support healing. 

Dr. Yarnell is chief creative officer of Wild Brilliance Press, president of Heron Botanicals, and CEO of Red Root Pharmaceuticals. He is a co-founder of the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in Vancouver, BC. He previously served as chair of the department of botanical medicine at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. 

He has over 150 published medical articles and is the author of many of the definitive textbooks used to teach naturopathic doctors including Natural Approach to Urology 2nd ed, Natural Approach to Prostate Conditions 2nd ed, Natural Approach to Gastroenterology 2nd ed, and the forthcoming Naturopathic Nephrology.

He is a highly desired keynote speaker at educational seminars and has been the recipient of four distinguished lifetime awards in the Naturopathic Profession in recognition for his outstanding contributions to the field of natural medicine, research, botanical medicine, and education.

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Vis Award (2014)
Naturopathic Medical Student Association Faculty of the Year (2018 and 2020)
Gastroenterology Association of Naturopathic Physicians Borborygmus Award (2020)

“Nothing is more satisfying than really listening to someone’s whole story, and helping them discover and fix the underlying cause of their problem.”