Patient Care Services at Tolt River Family Medicine

Newborn Care

As a naturopathic physician, midwife and lactation consultant, Dr. Allen has special training in care of new babies. As adjunct faculty at Bastyr University, she taught the neonatology course. She will provide an initial newborn exam in your home (Carnation area) or at her office.

Breastfeeding Support

Dr. Allen is a lactation consultant (IBCLC). She can help you prepare to breastfeed and assist you with any nursing difficulties that arise. Home visits are available to Carnation area families with newborns.

Well Child Check Ups

We take time with families during well child visits! We really have an opportunity to get to know you and your child during these visits. Your child’s growth, nutrition, sleep, and developmental progress will be assessed. You will have time to discuss your wellness and parenting questions. We will do a complete physical and discuss all age appropriate screening tests and vaccines. It is recommended that you bring your child in for well child check ups at 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, 2 years, 2.5 years and yearly from age 3 to age 16.

Vaccinations

Tolt River Family Medicine offers vaccinations through the Washington State Vaccines for Children program. We help parents find the resources they need to make truly informed decisions about childhood vaccines. We know how difficult this decision can be and we provide a safe place for you to voice concerns, ask questions, and get evidenced based answers.

Sports Physicals

Many schools require physicals for participation in team sports. We can provide this service and we can also help your young athlete learn ways to maintain wellness through healthy habits. Bring your school or team physical form with you to the visit.

Sick Visits

We reserve spots in our schedule for surprises. If you or your child is ill or injured, we will work to fit you into the schedule the same day because injuries and illnesses that are treated promptly, heal more promptly. Try to call the office before 10AM if you need an urgent, same day visit.

After Hours Paging Service/Phone Consultations

As family physicians, we believe it is important to be available even on days (and nights) that we are not in the office. In many medical practices, after hours phone calls are delegated to nurse hot lines or medical assistants. In this practice, we will personally return your call. (Please be aware that this service is not a covered benefit in most major insurance plans).

Sports Physicals

Many schools require physicals for participation in team sports. We can provide this service and we can also help your young athlete learn ways to maintain wellness through healthy habits. Bring your school or team physical form with you to the visit.

Puberty Support

We have resources to help your teen adjust to their changing body.  We can offer support regarding acne, cycle regularity, understanding PMS, discussing peer pressure, birth control, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, substance use, consent in intimate relationships, nutrition for the young athlete and much more.

Vaccinations

Tolt River Family Medicine offers vaccinations through the Washington State Vaccines for Children program. We help teens and their  parents find the resources they need to make truly informed decisions about immunizations. We know how difficult this decision can be and we provide a safe place for you to voice concerns, ask questions, and get evidenced based answers.

Yearly Physical (aka Annual Preventive Medicine Visit)

We take time with you during your yearly physical!  Your nutrition, sleep, exercise, and special risk factors will be assessed. We will do a complete physical, discuss all age appropriate screening tests, and review your medications.

Chronic Health Condition Management

For those with a chronic health condition, such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, hypothyroidism, we can provide ongoing support and medication management.  We will work with you to optimize the foundations of your health to prevent the progression of disease and reverse the disease process whenever possible.

Vaccinations

Tolt River Family Medicine offers vaccine counseling for any vaccines routinely administered to adults in the USA.   Tdap and Flu vaccine are available on site.  For other vaccines we will refer you to a pharmacy to receive the vaccination.

Urgent Care

We reserve spots in our schedule for surprises. If you are ill or injured, we will work to fit you into the schedule the same day because injuries and illnesses that are treated promptly, heal more promptly. Try to call the office before 10AM if you need an urgent, same day visit.

After Hours Paging Service/Phone Consultations

As family physicians, we believe it is important to be available even on days (and nights) that we are not in the office. In many medical practices, after hours phone calls are delegated to nurse hot lines or medical assistants. In this practice, we will personally return your call. (Please be aware that this service is not a covered benefit in most major insurance plans).

Dr. Allen is a lactation consultant (IBCLC). She can help you prepare to breastfeed and can assist you should any breastfeeding challenges arise.  We regularly provide guidance with things such as:

• increasing milk supply
• correcting poor latch
• clipping tongue ties (frenotomy)
• solving breast pain
• inducing lactation for adopted children
• returning to work/pumping at work
• advice on toddler nursing/weaning
• advice on breastmilk substitutes and food introduction

Home visits are available to Carnation area families with newborns.

• Annual gynecologic exam
• Birth control
• Fertility Awareness Method Training
• Fertility  and Preconception care
• Menopausal Symptom Management
• Hormone Balancing
• Women’s Breast and Bone Health

We reserve spots in our schedule for surprises. If you are ill or injured, we will work to fit you into the schedule the same day because injuries and illnesses that are treated promptly, heal more promptly. Try to call the office before 10AM if you need an urgent, same day visit.

• • throat cultures, rapid flu tests, or pregnancy tests in office
  • herbal or pharmaceutical prescriptions as appropriate
  • order x-ray, ultrasound, and MRI to take a look inside
  • stitches or dermabond to repair minor lacerations
  • first aid and supported ER transfer for more complicated injuries

After Hours Paging Service/Phone Consultations

As family physicians, we believe it is important to be available even on days (and nights) that we are not in the office. In many medical practices, after hours phone calls are delegated to nurse hot lines or medical assistants. In this practice, we will personally return your call. (Please be aware that this service is not a covered benefit in most major insurance plans).

Proud to be a Country Doc

One of the most cherished aspects of our work is to be welcomed in to the homes of the families we serve.  We consider it a privilege to make a house call to a newborn and their family, or to a person with an injury  or a home bound elder.  If you have special circumstances such as these, please call to make special arrangements.

Naturopathic medicine is primary care medicine with a holistic approach and an emphasis on natural therapies. The goal of naturopathic medicine is to facilitate the body’s abilities to heal itself. Toward that goal, naturopathic doctors treat patients as active participants in their health care, and help empower patients to reach and maintain optimum health. Naturopathic medical practice focuses on each patient as an individual, treating underlying causes of illness in addition to relieving symptoms, in order to recover and maintain lasting wellness. Naturopathic medicine addresses the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—to find the safest, least invasive, effective treatments necessary to correct health problems.

Naturopathic Physicians are guided by the following principles:

1. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Nature)
   Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent ability in the body which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to recovery and to facilitate and augment this healing ability.
2. Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
   The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.
3. First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
   Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient:
   • Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects.
   • Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.
   • Acknowledge and respect the individual’s healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.
4. Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
   Naturopathic physicians educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.
5. Treat the Whole Person
   Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual path.
6. Prevention
   Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.

Therapeutic Massage

More details coming soon

Cranio-Sacral Therapy

More details coming soon.

Muscle Energy Stretching

more details coming soon.

Therapeutic Exercises

more details coming soon.

Dr. Ed Szymczak provides biofeedback and stress management training.

Biofeedback informational coming soon.

Dr. Allen is not accepting maternity care clients at this time.

Dr. Allen completed the Naturopathic Midwifery Program at Bastyr University and became a licensed midwife in Washington State in 2004. However, her license is currently inactive.  She hopes to return to midwifery practice when her children are older.  In the meantime, she is eager to provide naturopathic pregnancy support, lactation support, and neonatal care.

We will be providing Acupuncture starting in January 2018

Dr. Wimer completed the Master of Science in Acupuncture program at Bastyr University.  She will be providing acupuncture services starting January 2018!

We are searching  mental health counselor, midwife, and nurse practitioner to serve your needs.

We recognize that there is a need for a licensed mental health counselor and/or marriage and family therapist in Carnation.  If you have any leads, send them our way.

We recognize that there is a need for a maternity care provider in Carnation.  If you have any leads, send them our way.

We recognize that there is a need for a nurse practitioner in Carnation.  If you have any leads, send them our way.