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People who come to the AIM Center can choose to have a consultation with one of our physicians for design of a comprehensive personal treatment plan that suits their preferences and needs — they can choose a specific service or class, such as massage therapy, yoga instruction, or a mind-body seminar — or they can choose a combination of services.
Many people who come to the Center choose first to see an individual physician for an extensive initial assessment. The physician may then refer the person to one of the many complementary practitioners. The idea is that patient and physician work together to come up with a plan that works. At the Center, doctors and practitioners take the time it requires to learn about more than just symptoms and ailments. They take the time it requires to see the complete picture — from health history to concerns, from support systems to health goals and values. Your progress will be monitored by both Naturopathic Medical Doctors and complementary practitioners to give you the best of Naturopathic Integrative Medicine.
"Our initial visit is usually an hour or more long," explains Dr. Gorman. "We review the patient's complete history and develop a unique and comprehensive treatment plan. There are so many options open to people.”
Comprehensive Care
AIM Center offers a balanced approach to meeting the needs of people who want not only to treat illness, but also to prevent it — to manage and improve their health and their quality of life. With holistically trained physicians on staff, the Center is a bridge between conventional medicine and complementary medicine.
Doctors at the Center may either serve as a person's primary care physician or their services may be utilized to supplement the care of a person's regular physician. In Arizona, Naturopathic Medical Doctors (NMDs) are primary care physicians — as such, they are qualified to perform annual physicals, order labwork, write medication prescriptions and deal with common medical conditions that are usually seen in a family medicine practice.
If you would like an integrative medicine consultation at AIM Center, you should plan on spending approximately 90 minutes reviewing your health history and concerns as part of a comprehensive medical intake process. You will then come back for a follow-up appointment during which we will review together a written treatment plan . During this session, the goal is to come to agreement on a plan that will address your specific current and future health needs and concerns. Your treatment plan may include: diagnostic testing, referrals to other medical specialists, suggestions for lifestyle changes, and/or recommendations for complementary therapies such as acupuncture, massage, herbal medicine, or nutritional counseling.
Integrative vs. Conventional Medicine The Center's integrative treatment model allows for the healing of the whole person, not simply the ailment. A good example might be a person who comes in with chronic back pain. Conventional medicine might call for a shot of cortisone and pain-relieving medications.
The integrative model may include an anti-inflammatory diet, massage therapy and acupuncture - leading to a more complete and long-lasting healing process. From chronic pain associated with migraine, sports injuries, and arthritis — to dealing with chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes, the Center's practitioners take the time to get to know the whole person. The patient takes an active role not only in devising the treatment plan, but also in its execution.
People Who May Benefit
People who may benefit from the Center include those who already have a physician, but who have health concerns that they feel have not been completely addressed because of time limitations and/or the complexity of their needs. These may include:
- People whose health and quality of life can be improved through lifestyle changes that they can control, from diet and exercise, to stress management
- People who have been working with their own physicians to manage chronic pain with conventional medicine and who wish to supplement this treatment
- People looking for sound, scientific advice about the foods they are eating, the vitamins they are taking, the herbal remedies they are trying
- Athletes who are trying to come back from sports-related injuries
- Smokers who have been unable to quit
- Women dealing with the effects of menopause
- People with chronic health challenges such as: high blood pressure, COPD, asthma, emphysema and diabetes — that are looking for alternative or complementary treatments to improve their quality of life
Insurance Coverage
Unfortunately, many insurance plans still do not routinely cover the Center's services. The Center's staff provides guidance with submitting claims to insurance companies for reimbursement. Many people are recognizing the value of Naturopathic medicine with their willingness to pay out of pocket for consultations. We make every effort to set fair fees and to provide great value for the amount of time and care we take with each individual.
To make an appointment, call AIM Center at 602-265-1774
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