Why I Became a Naturopath

Brenda Elving, ND

No story starts where you think it did. There was always prior groundwork to prepare the way.

When my first child had recurrent ear blockages resulting in him being able to lip-read before he ever started school, I was frustrated. No one could tell me what was wrong, and drugs and surgeries weren't solving anything.

As I sought drug-free solutions, I was dismissed from more than several medical practices. I began taking care of myself.

By the time my sixth child arrived, my body was exhausted. I'd pushed my body past its limits with crazy diets and exercise, no sleep, and then a life-threatening bout with a brown recluse spider.

It was only then that I discovered naturopathy. I was immediately hooked on how quickly I could be seen. The atmosphere was friendly, and there was no scale to step on or paper gown to intimidate me. Just one-on-one attention. I left with a compassionate plan that I understood and reassurance that I would recover.

My healing was quick and deeper than expected. Even once the bite was healed. I just kept getting healthier. And then a friend noticed that a 30-year-old scar on my eye had disappeared.

I finally asked the naturopath what he was doing.

He said something I'll never forget:

“I’m asking your body what it needs.”

He wasn’t just shutting down symptoms. He was listening to the body. This is what Muscle Response Testing does: it asks the body what it can use to heal, for as long as it wants to heal. Sometimes detoxing a problem is right; sometimes nourishing a deficiency is more appropriate. I don't want to push your body the wrong way. So I ask it for the right way.

Sidenote: If you really listen to the dialogue with a conventional medical doctor, you'll see that your symptoms are merely translated into Latin to give you a diagnosis. It sounds very important. But honestly, the word 'sinusitis' is Latin for inflamed nasal passages. He gave you no new information; he merely translated it into another language and used that now-important word to assign the associated drug. He won't know if it will work or if you'll have a reaction to it until your next appointment when you tell him.

My goal is to help you heal without any unwanted reactions from occurring. This is safer and saves you time and money.

My entire mindset is one of health promotion. I do not fight disease; I nurture wellness so that your body doesn't get sick.