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1. ramino
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   Any experience you may have had using the Bastyr Center for Naturapathic Health in Seattle would be appreciated.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

2. Franci
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   Its been many years, but it was a good experience.

   It didn't work so well for me because I found that it does take more office visit time this way.

   There are a couple of students, supervised by an dr./instructor. They really take their time and are very thorough. If you have a chronic conidition - the students cycle in and out - so if you can end up 'starting over' over and over again as you are occassionally re-educating the new intern about you and your condition.

   There can be advantages to this too - it just depends upon if it works for you or not.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

3. anonyme
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   I agree with Franci, except that I found the experience to be frustrating. I had an acute condition and made it very clear that I was ONLY interested in addressing that issue during my visit. I had no health insurance, and was not interested in a full health assessment and program. It was quite time consuming, and the interns made comments that were inappropriate, inaccurate, and frightening. They suggested that I might either have cancer or an ulcer that could rupture and kill me at any moment. They recommended that I immediately check myself into a hospital and demand a battery of expensive tests in the thousands of dollars. Then, as I was checking out, they came out with a big bag of medicines for a mild stomach issue having nothing to do with my stated problem, and which they had made no mention of during the exam. I refused it.

   I ended up getting a second opinion from an allopathic physician, who diagnosed the welt on my upper abdomen as a skin allergy. It disappeared in a few days, and I didn't die of cancer or a ruptured bleeding ulcer. I was really terrified after my visit to Bastyr, despite having some experience in a medical environment.

   To be clear, I am absolutely a proponent of complementary medicine. My primary doctor for the last 15+ years practices traditional Chinese medicine and osteopathy exclusively. I completely understand the necessity of treating the whole person, and not just single symptoms. However, I think in this case the practitioners showed poor judgment.

   I've heard good things about Bastyr, so my experience may well have been an exception. And yes, I did discuss my experience with an administrator at Bastyr.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

4. ramino
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   Thanks to Franci & Anonyme for your insights.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

5. ellenater
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   I have heard similar stories. Why not just go to a local clinic with Bastyr docs? I like Dr. Fast at West Seattle Natural Medicine.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

6. sonja
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   I graduated from Bastyr in 2008 and agree that many patients benefit from the enthusiasm and thoroughness of student intakes while others are not looking for such a lengthy health history. There always are supervisors in the process, so student clinics can be an affordable way to be seen by both new and experienced practitioners.
   Another non-student option for affordable acupuncture with licensed acupuncturists is community acupuncture. My clinic, the Community Acupuncture Project of West Sea is in the junction. Our treatments are $15-$40 sliding scale and we have several Bastyr alumni and supervisors on our staff. More info at: http://www.acupunctureforall.org
   Good luck finding the right fit for your health needs.

   Posted 8 months ago #         

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