Integrative Therapies

Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical therapy which uses very fine, sterile stainless steel needles to stimulate specific energetic points on the body. Dr. Piscopo also practices a form of acupuncture that does not require needles, called Acutonics, for individuals who may have difficulty tolerating them. For more information on acupuncture, please see our page on that subject.

Bio-identical Hormone Therapy

Bio-identical hormones are derived from naturally occurring sources and are designed to replicate the same chemical structure as the hormones that are produced naturally by our bodies. Based on your needs, unique physiology, and test results, a specialized protocol can be developed for you, individually tailored with a bioidentical hormone regimen specifically designed for you.

There is a large body of medical research  that supports the safety and effectiveness of BHRT. However, it is important to remember that no drug, supplement, or herb is always 100% safe or effective. That is why it is important to consult with an experienced medical expert like Dr. Thomas, who can assist you in navigating BHRT successfully.

Botanical Medicine

Naturopathic physicians are the only licensed, primary care providers who are fully trained in the use of botanical medicine in the state of Washington. Centuries of use and thousands of articles in the medical research literature attest to the efficacy, safety, and power of these natural substances. Botanical medicines often have fewer complications and side effects than pharmaceutical drugs. In fact, many drugs are actually more concentrated versions of the chemical derivatives from plants.

Clinical Nutrition

The therapeutic use of foods and natural supplements such as vitamins and minerals is an important yet complex field. Naturopathic physicians are skilled in the use of supplementation and nutritional intervention in the management of medical conditions. While medical doctors receive less than 20 hours of instruction on nutrition, naturopathic physicians receive over 140 hours because clinical nutrition is a central modality in the naturopathic approach.

The therapeutic use of foods and natural supplements such as vitamins and minerals is an important yet complex field. Because of the way research on nutrition is sensationalize or poorly reported, many people have given up trying to make sense of what foods to eat or which supplements are useful. Our physicians can cut through the confusion and assist you in making sense of this wonderful resource.

FSM

Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM) is a new system of treatment using microamperage current and the resonance effects of frequencies on tissues and conditions to create beneficial changes. Our physicians have been trained in FSM therapy, which is particularly useful for acute and chronic pain conditions. FSM is safe, effective, and painless. Its ability to deliver results is the reason it has been used by the NFL and by the Tour de France team of the US Postal Service. For more information on FSM, please visit the Frequency Specific Microcurrent website.

Injection Therapy

Injection therapy involves the use of therapeutic injections as a way to treat acute and chronic pain conditions. There are several forms of injection therapy, including biopuncture, prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, perineural injection treatment (PIT), and homeosiniatry.

Biopuncture is an recently developed technique that is characterized by injection of biological products into specific location on the body. The majority of the products are derived from plants and minerals. These sterile solutions, which are FDA-approved, are selected by trained, licensed practitioners like Dr. Piscopo to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms in specific ways. Most of these injections are given either superficially under the skin or into muscles.

Prolotherapy uses a needle to inject therapeutic substances into an affected area. The simplest and most commonly used solution is a concentrate of dextrose, but other therapeutic solutions can be used as well. These therapeutic solutions triggers neighboring cells to release their growth factors, stimulating tissue repair.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) procedures are a little more involved. In this process, a small amount of the patient’s blood is collected and then centrifuged. The portion of the centrifuge solution that contains platelets and other elements is then used for injection therapy.  Platelets play an important role in stimulating the healing of tissues, so injecting them into injured tissue stimulates a beneficial response.

Perineural Injection Treatment (PIT), formerly called Neural Prolotherapy, was developed by John Lyftogt, MD. It consists of a series of small injections immediately under the skin that targets painful areas. Often there is a derangement of nerve function in these areas that are improved by this therapy. The main substance used in this technique is D5W (dextrose 5% in sterile water) with a neutral pH of 7.4.

Integrative Mental Health

Currently, conventional medicine covers both the pharmaceutical approach and the psycho-therapeutic approach to mood disorders and various mental health “diseases”. But what if you have lost a loved one and are grieving? An anti-depressant will not address the root of that. What if you are going through a spiritual crisis? Psychotherapy may not be effective in that realm. What if you are not “diseased” but are going through a personal transition such as menopause, a disruption of your family, or the breakup of a relationship?

Dr. Piscopo worked in the field of psychiatric medicine for twelve years prior to studying natural medicine. His approach draws upon the wisdom of Chinese medicine, Western science, naturopathic medicine, theology, and various modern psychological systems. This allows for effective solutions to life problems that do not fit into neat little boxes.

Sleep Optimization

Sleep is a one of the foundational aspects of vibrant health, along with diet and movement. Sadly, despite the huge increase of research on the importance of sleep, and the epidemic of sleep problems that now confront us, there are far too few physicians that address this area comprehensively. Dr. Piscopo has extensive experience not only in working with sleep difficulties but also tailoring successful solutions into your busy life.