National College of Natural Medicine

I like the medicinary and their staff which is highly educated on the products they sell. The lab is completely unorganized and there, literally, is no way to speak with anyone from the lab short of going there in person. Unfortunately, the receptionists are notoriously rude. I think my biggest complaint would be the treatment I received from Dr. Sandberg-​Lewis who treated me for YEARS for SIBO presribing THOUSANDS of dollars worth of supplements without relief. I consistently reported my symtpoms were immediately following a surgery. The last time I suggested this I was surprised by his epiphany that my problem could be scar tissue from the laproscopic procedure. It just so happened he had a clinic from Colorado visitng the following week called Clear Passages. They were doing free examinations on patients with digestive issues post-​surgery. I was a candidate Clear Passages examined along with students at NCNM. Sure enough, Clear Passages as well as the students at NCNM diagnosed apparant scar tissue near my small intestine post laproscopic surgery. I was elated finally a diagnoses depsite the fact I suggested there was a connection to Dr. SL for years. Now what? I was stunned when he indicated the only way I could get treatment for this newly diagnosed condition was to fly to Colorado, pay $ 3,500 and take a week of of work for 22 sessions at Clear Passages to be cured. Wait! What? Well before I drank that Kool-​Aid, I did some research here in Portalnd and learned scar tissue is common and there is PT for abdominal adhesion release. I sent an email to Dr. Sandberg-Lewis’s assistant requesting referrals for this. Her repsonse was shocking in that it indicated the only way I could get cured was to go to Clear Passages. I presssed harder for the names or referrals for a local PT who specalized in visural massage (which would be paid for by my insurance). It was not until then that I was provided names. I have been doing aggressive visrual massage PT combined with Yoga and I am not cured but the tranformation is stupendous. I have no explanation as to why Dr. SL insisted my only option was costly treatment at Clear Passages. I can only speculate he wanted to give them business so, in turn, they would agree to teach the students at NCNM their practices associated with treating scar tissue which has not yet been taught at this college. I expect that from western medicne; but, not from NCNM. Beware of treating providers and the connections and motivation they have in the industry. There is no money in cures.

Where the medicine happens. A small, hidden gem of alternative medicine in the hub of Portland.

I attended NCNM’s Open House today, and had previously made an appointment for my first experience with acupuncture. I was welcomed at the front desk, and offered refreshments while I waited. There was coffee and an interesting variety of teas and purified water. Within minutes of settling down with a cup of coffee, my student intern called my name and led me upstairs to a private treatment room. Cadie was my practitioner and she was exceptionally poised and friendly and accommodating to my curious self. After about a 20 minute intake discussion, I laid down on the table that had a pillow for my head and under my legs. Cadie conferred with Dr. Lee, her instructor and doctor of Chinese medicine. He later came in and took my pulse and looked at my tongue. I was told I was «damp» and my pulse was «slippery» which in Western speak, corresponds to a middle aged out of whack hormonal hypothyroid adrenal fatigued woman. They got that right! Then Cadie proceeded to administer the needles… first in my ears, then my head and then my lower legs. It was all very interesting. Then I was left in the room to be calm and absorb the treatment for about ten minutes. Despite the very strong waiting room coffee which counteracted any initial attempts at calmness, I did indeed become relaxed and mentally creative as I laid there all needled up with nowhere to go but in my mind. Whatever it was, it was good. I felt brighter, more together, more I can’t put into words, but it was something that would have me coming back for more. I booked my second appointment with Cadie in a couple of weeks, and am very excited to see what acupuncture can do for my feelings of well being. This entire visit was completely free… Cadie even applied a couple of ear seeds to both ears to help with my conditions… little accupressure points I can rub for 30 seconds for the desired effects. Future visits in the private room, that last 75 minutes, like this initial visit, are only $ 25 which is a fraction of the fee in the typical acupuncture clinic. If you’re on a tighter budget, group acupuncture is offered for only $ 10 a visit. If you have any curiosity about this treatment, or other naturopathic treatments and/​or Chinese Medicine, we have one of the finest schools specializing in all of these things right here in Portland. Yet another wonderful thing to love about this amazing city. Thank you NCNM for a one of a kind experience. I will be a regular patient, without a doubt.