Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is integrated naturopathic medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease using natural, frequently non-pharmaceutical methods.  Naturopathic physicians focus on optimizing health and wellness through detailed diagnostic analysis, individualized, patient-centered care and health education.

Naturopathic physicians support the healing capacity of the body to counteract disease processes and promote health through identifying and treating the underlying cause of disease.  As health symptoms arise they are addressed to alleviate an individual’s immediate distress. Finally, patient education and disease prevention are fundamental to comprehensive naturopathic care.

Naturopathic doctors utilize a variety of therapeutic tools to treat patients according to their unique health needs. These often include clinical nutrition, physical activity and exercise modifications, general counseling, botanical medicine, therapeutic vitamin and mineral supplementation, homeopathy and physical medicine modalities such as hydrotherapy, massage, therapeutic injection and acupuncture. Learn more.

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How can naturopathic medicine help with my cancer diagnosis?

Naturopathic medicine increases the effectiveness of your cancer treatment.  Your naturopathic medical care is integrated seamlessly with your conventional cancer care through collaboration and communication with your healthcare providers. Dr. McMurry will meet with you throughout your treatment to minimize adverse side-effects while maximizing the treatment potential of your standard cancer therapies. 

For optimal success, Dr. McMurry advises meeting

  • before and after surgery
  • before, during and after chemotherapy
  • during and after radiation

In addition, naturopathic medical care continues after your cancer treatment has ended to reduce the duration of your symptoms and address any health issues that may arise following your treatment.

Naturopathic care can help with these common side effect of cancer treatments. Fatigue, Pain, Mucositis, Nausea and Vomiting, Diarrhea or Constipation, Dermatitis, Peripheral Neuropathy. Common chronic conditions: Allergies, Anxiety, Autoimmune Conditions, Depression, Diabetes, Fatigue, Hypertension, Hyperlipidemia, Insomnia, Osteoarthritis,  Pre-Postmenopausal Symptoms, Reflux Esophagitis.

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Why should I visit with a Naturopathic Doctor?

“My first visit with my naturopathic doctor was amazing! They spent a whole hour with me. I’ve never felt so listened to before.”

It’s common to hear this from patients. You may have seen all kinds of doctors, and if you are currently going through cancer treatment you most likely have a whole team of healthcare professionals.  An appointment with Dr. McMurry is quite unique however.  She will spend as much time as is necessary; she listens to you, gathers in depth knowledge about every part of your health and then develops an individualized treatment plan with consideration for your input and preferences.

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What is online medical counseling?

Convenient access to your Naturopathic physician when you need him/her is key. Online medical counseling (telemedicine) seeks to improve a patient’s health by permitting two-way, real time interactive communication between the patient, and physician.

Naturopathic Cancer Treatment Clinic utilizes a HIPAA secure video platform, utilizing your phone, tablet or computer. It’s really THAT simple!  No need to download an app or create a login. You can view our virtual waiting room by clicking the button below.

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Telemedicine by Doxy.me

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What can you expect from your appointment?

Your first visit will consist of a thorough review of your medical history, present diagnosis, treatment and any symptoms that you are currently experiencing, either related to your cancer or otherwise.  You should anticipate an in-depth discussion regarding nutrition, an analysis of your current medications and supplements and a review of recent laboratory and imaging studies, if available.

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How long are appointments?

A typical initial telemedicine appointment will last approximately 60 minutes, however based on your questions and concerns it may run longer or shorter in duration.  The follow-up integrative cancer telemedicine appointments will be about 30 minutes in duration. 

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What payments are accepted and when do I pay?

We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Diners and American Express) and debit cards. Naturopathic care is an IRS qualified medical expense as a result patients from any state may use their FSA or HSA card.

Dr. McMurry is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in Washington State, Washington residents can request a superbill from your visit to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.  We currently cannot accept insurance from patients who are not a resident of Washington State.

A payment form is required at the time of booking, however you will not be charged until the time of your appointment.

✔ HSA/FSA Eligible Appointments

Will my medical insurance cover the cost of supplements?

Although most medical insurance plans provide prescription medicine benefits for pharmaceutical drugs, dietary supplements are not covered by most major insurers. If you have a flexible or health savings account (FSA/HSA), these funds may qualify for such purchases.  Please contact your plan’s administrator for specific details.

✔ HSA/FSA Eligible Purchases

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How do I purchase supplements?

We strive to treat you holistically, which includes easing the stress of finding and purchasing our prescribed nutraceuticals.  We maintain an online dispensary of physician grade supplements through Fullscript. You will be prescribed a detailed treatment plan with specific supplements along with dosages based on your cancer diagnosis, treatment, and any additional health issues. 

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Can Dr. McMurry write a prescription for pharmaceutical medication?

If you are a resident of Washington state and an established patient of Dr. McMurry, a pharmaceutical medication maybe prescribed based on your health concerns.  However, under the Washington state law, she is not able to write prescriptions for certain scheduled medications.  And unfortunately, is not able to write prescriptions for patients who live outside of Washington state.    

How does Dr. McMurry communicate with the rest of my medical team?

In the interest of coordinated care, at the patients request, a copy of the patient’s chart note is sent to the managing oncologist and the primary care physician.  In addition, communication is made directly with other medical practitioners as may be needed in complex, acute or other potentially beneficial situations.

Dr. McMurry may have you sign a release for medical information to enable her to review labs and offices visits from your other healthcare providers. 

What are the differences between how MDs, DOs and Naturopathic Doctors are trained?

The general educational structure of all the programs are comparable.  In all three medical programs, the first year emphasizes biomedical sciences such as anatomy and biochemistry.  The second year focuses on diagnostic sciences.  All programs progressively increase the students’ problem-based learning and integrated coursework, enabling students to learn how different medical concepts affect one another.

After the first two years, the curricula of the three medical programs focus on applying medical knowledge to real-life situations with simultaneous classroom studies supporting this training.

Third- and fourth-year naturopathic medical students have opportunities for hands-on clinical training and practice, often at their schools’ teaching clinics and off-site clinics.  This period of clinical training is essential to these students’ education—so much so that clinical training is now being introduced during the first and second years of education at several AANMC-member schools. As a result, naturopathic medical students graduate with experience in diagnosing and treating patients, even before they begin formal practice.

A major difference between the training of the MDs and naturopathic doctors is medical residencies.  MD residencies are mandated and regulated by conventional medical schools.  As a result, many opportunities for residencies exist at a wide variety of medical facilities and are funded by the federal government.

Naturopathic medical residencies are not nearly as common because they are not yet required by most states (Utah is an exception) or funded by the federal government.

Like MDs, a growing number of naturopathic doctors choose to specialize or focus their practices. Specialty associations currently exist for Endocrinology, Environmental Medicine, Gastroenterology, Parenteral Therapies, Pediatrics, Primary Care Physicians, Psychiatry, and Oncology.

Comparing medical versus naturopathic curriculum. Sources: MD program information: LCME Annual Medical School Questionnaire Part II; 130 schools provided data for 2013-14; no data shown for 2014-15 or 2015-16; AANMC Member Survey 2017; Link

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Dr. McMurry is very knowledgeable and very helpful with any questions I have. She goes above and beyond in her care and concern and truly does all she can to ensure the best of care. I highly recommend her services!

— Lori Hoyle, on Healthgrades

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