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Q&A with a Naturopathic Doctor

Here in Canada we often think of the health care system as a giant faceless machine.

But I want to change that, at least at our local level. I want to highlight the inspiring health care workers right here in our valley that you may not know about yet.

Because I know its the dedicated local health care professionals that can make a big difference with improving our day to day lives.

And yes, they have faces, and they have names.

I want to present them to you.  And maybe, just maybe, their excellent service is the missing key to improving your health and wellness.

This week I’d like to introduce you a caring local Naturopathic doctor named Dr. Jese Wiens. 

First off Jese, can you please tell the readers a little about yourself and your background, and where they can find you.

I love being a Naturopathic Doctor as we have a large scope of practice in BC and this allows me to provide the right treatment for each patient. The training is a 4 year Bachelor degree and then a 4 year naturopathic medical degree, along with multiple board exams and clinical training requirements. Yes I love studying! I obtained a Bachelor of science in cell biology and genetics from UBC in Vancouver, and then my ND degree from The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster BC in 2008. I have been in practice 8 years in Penticton and 4 years in Summerland. I grew up in Kelowna and am happy to have settled in Summerland with my husband and 3 daughters.

Summerland Family Chiropractic 13615 Victoria Rd N 494-3321

Little Lotus Wellness Centre 301 Main St (Nanaimo Square) 778-476-2550

www.doctorwiens.com

What inspired you to become a Naturopathic Doctor?

I have always had a fascination with the body and a curious mind. I wanted to be a primary care provider and be able to educate people on health. I had an interest in nutrition but I didn’t know a thing about herbs, chinese medicine, or body work. As a pre-med student at UBC I joined the Alternative and Integrative Medicine Society and learned that such a thing as a Naturopathic Physician existed! The principles of the medicine, such as ‘first do no harm’ and ‘support the healing power of the body’ spoke to my beliefs. As it happened, a new naturopathic medical school was just opening, the first in western Canada.

Do you have any particular interests or specialities that you bring to your naturopathic practice?

My primary practice tools are nutrition, herbal medicine, alignment work, acupuncture, homeopathy, and counseling. I have taken additional certification in Bowen Therapy for Pain and have been practicing that for 10 years. It is amazing at releasing holding patterns in the body and benefits back pain, headaches, sciatica, frozen shoulder, arthritis and much more.

I’m sure everyone could benefit from some of the Naturopathic principles, but is there a specific type of patient that would most benefit from your care?

Nauropathic Medicine really shines when treating functional issues, which means when organs or systems are not working effectively and need a ‘tune up’. I see many patients for digestive issues, allergies, skin problems, thyroid dysfunction, fatigue, and female hormone related problems. I love to do the detective work to figure out the contributing factors, then addressing the causes. People often come in with a list of seemingly unrelated complaints and I help make sense of it all. What is the body trying to say? I have access to local lab tests, but also some specialized diagnostics such as food allergy panels, hormone panels, and comprehensive stool tests. I also love working with women on fertility issues as this allows the best possible growth and development for a child. I treat everything, from colds to cancer.

I have saved the hardest question for the end…what is your favourite walk or outdoor activity in Summerland or the Okanagan Valley?

Easy question! My happy place is rotary beach eating fresh fruit and swimming with my kids. We are so blessed to live in paradise!

Any parting words of wisdom or advice?

Drink lots of water, eat green vegetables, get to bed early, be grateful, and have a lot of laughs.

Thanks Jese!

– Tim Dyer, BSc.Pharm