Visiting a naturopathic doctor (ND) can be somewhat different from the standard doctor visit you may have come to expect. From the range of health care services we offer, to longer patient visits, our FAQ answers your curiosities.
What should I expect on my first visit?
As a first-time patient at Bastyr University Clinic, you will be asked to complete a patient information form and health history. Please plan to arrive 30 minutes early to fill out paperwork (or find them online and fill them out ahead of time). It’s also a good idea to bring with you any copies of previous tests, lab results and the names of any medications or natural supplements you are currently taking. Appointments typically include a verbal interview in addition to a routine check of your vital signs, with other exams appropriate to your symptoms or concerns.
How long will my appointment last?
Your first office visit will last approximately 60-90 minutes, with your follow-up appointment lasting approximately 45-60 minutes. Please call (858) 246-9730 to make an appointment.
How can natural health care help?
Natural health care is particularly effective for prevention and relief from chronic and degenerative health conditions. Commonly treated conditions include: fatigue, depression, colds and the flu, menopausal symptoms, stress-related conditions, allergies and asthma, high blood pressure, digestive problems and more.
At Bastyr University Clinic our providers explore issues such as lifestyle, history and diet from a holistic perspective. Experts on the self-healing process, they blend centuries-old knowledge of natural therapies with current clinical research on health and human systems. Our practitioners will help you become a partner in their own health care, teaching you how to gain control of your health and encouraging you to actively make decisions regarding your own care.
What types of health services do you offer?
Bastyr University Clinic provides naturopathic primary care, acupuncture and chiropractic care. Some of the clinic's services include:
- Preventive health screenings and exams
- Laboratory and other diagnostic imaging tests
- Managing prescription medications
- Herbal remedies/botanical medicine
- Men’s and women’s health services
- Well-child exams
- Detoxification/cleanses
- Craniosacral therapy and holistic bodywork
- Acupuncture and East Asian medicine
View the full list of naturopathic therapies we provide.
Is naturopathic medical care covered by my insurance?
Bastyr University Clinic is cash-based and does not accept insurance at this time. Please contact your insurance provider to find out if they reimburse for select complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) services. Please ask us for details at (858) 246-9730.
Are you a teaching clinic? What does this mean to me as a patient?
Bastyr University Clinic trains doctoral-level students of naturopathic medicine to apply their academic knowledge in a clinical setting.
At each visit, you will see one or two student clinicians and a licensed ND faculty member who supervises your care and approves all diagnoses and treatment plans. This approach allows you to benefit from the combined education, training, research efforts and experience of a licensed health professional and advanced student clinicians. This model is similar to the teaching clinics of conventional medical schools.
Read more about our Team Care approach.
What are the qualifications of Bastyr practitioners?
Our practitioners have undergone rigorous training in both Western sciences and natural therapeutic traditions.
Under California state law, NDs have a broad scope of practice and are licensed as primary care doctors. NDs can diagnose, order lab and imaging tests, and treat illness with natural therapies. NDs can also prescribe all hormones independently and can prescribe many other drugs with the written supervision of an MD or doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO).
Can practitioners give medical information or advice over the phone?
No, our health care teams must see you in person before giving medical advice, including advice on herbal remedies and supplements.
How can I contact my provider in between appointments?
You can call the clinic at (858) 246-9730 and leave a message on your doctor’s voice mail. We advise that you contact your provider directly with any questions regarding your care.
Where is Bastyr University Clinic located?
Our clinic is located at the campus of Bastyr University California at 4110 Sorrento Valley Boulevard, San Diego, California 92121. See a map and get directions.
Is parking available?
Yes, we have free parking spots reserved for patients in the front of the building and in front of the university building.
How Is Bastyr University California affiliated with Bastyr University in Seattle?
Bastyr University California is the second campus of Bastyr University, the nation's leading school of natural health arts and sciences, founded in Seattle in 1978. Bastyr's Seattle teaching clinic, Bastyr Center for Natural Health, is the largest natural health clinic in the Pacific Northwest.
How can I find a Bastyr practitioner outside the San Diego or Seattle areas?
Bastyr University's website includes a Find a Provider tool to help you find practicing Bastyr alumni in your area.
Does Bastyr University conduct research studies on natural health?
Yes, Bastyr University conducts groundbreaking research on complementary, alternative and integrative medicine (CAM) through the Bastyr University Research Institute in Seattle. Bastyr was the first natural medicine school to be awarded a research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1994. Currently pursuing a variety of research projects, the Bastyr University Research Institute continues to receive funding from the NIH and other sources. Read more about research at Bastyr and see a list of current studies.
If you have questions that are not adequately addressed here, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Find more health information about natural prevention and treatment for various health conditions from our sister clinic in Seattle.