Dr. Kane is a primary care physician licensed to diagnose and treat disease. However her focus is to help patients find optimal wellness and move away from the concept of “treating disease”. Health is not merely an absence of disease. Her goal is to thoroughly assess the patient’s current state of health, determine whether certain problems are critical, and systematically remove obstacles to health by creating a total wellness protocol. The ideal naturopathic patient recognizes and embraces self-responsibility for wellness, and is willing to make positive changes to improve and maintain excellent health.

Although Dr. Kane sees patients of all ages and both men and women, she has a strong interest in women’s health and teaching women about their bodies and cycles. Self knowledge is key to maintaining good health. For younger women, understanding (tracking) the menstrual cycle is the first step to allowing this natural function to be a pleasure, not a “curse” as the menses are sometimes called. For women approaching or in menopause, please see Dr. Kane’s easy-to-read book on the subject. Fertility rates are declining, which is probably important for the planet, but can be heart-breaking for individuals. Talk to Dr. Kane about natural methods before going high tech.

Good diet, daily movement and other fundamentals like sufficient sleep, drinking mostly water and having happy relationships, are foundational to good health. The basic “three legged stool” for a stable life is satisfaction in work, home, and significant other(s). Beyond that let’s build health. Food choices that are made wisely every day, every meal, every shopping excursion will build good health. If possible choose a plant-based diet which features organic produce. It’s fine to eat high quality eggs, our fantastic Alaskan salmon and occasionally venison for protein. Try to move away from wheat, meat and cheese. These steps will be taken slowly, as feasible.

Inserting slender sterile needles into specific points on the surface of the body derives from an ancient method of stimulating health and has been used successfully for hormonal, gastrointestinal, and pain syndromes and for emotional balancing. Dr. Kane is trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) but mostly uses Japanese style needles (very fine and flexible) along with heat, massage and friction. Most people find acupuncture sessions not only effective, but very relaxing. Other treatment modalities favored by Dr. Kane include herbal remedies (in liquid form they can be customized), vitamin and mineral recommendations, blood ozonation and various forms of body work including Bowen technique for TMJ.

Much of the interaction with the doctor in her office will be discussion — because YOU are going to tell her what’s wrong, and lay out your priorities. Dr. Kane is passionate about performing a good physical exam, head to toe, because the body communicates health status readily if we pay attention. Physical exam may include blood draw (most samples are sent to LabCorp in Seattle, but some are processed locally) or may include referrals to Bartlett for diagnostic mammography, x-ray or ultrasound.

As a primary care doctor in the field for nearly 30 years, many challenging conditions have been presented to Dr. Kane. The patients that can benefit immediately tend to be those that are inclined to find health without pharmaceutical intervention, or those who have “tried everything” and still don’t feel well. Sometimes patients want help with chronic digestive complaints or anxiety or insomnia or allergies. She works frequently with patients diagnosed with auto-immune and neuro-degenerative diseases, as well as more common conditions involving compromised sleep or digestion. Dr. Kane will be very clear with you if she needs to make a referral. For example, she is not an oncologist. Although she works with many cancer patients and can help guide them through their treatment options as well as promote wellness during the treatment phase and beyond, she will insist on working in a team with an oncologist as well.