Exploring Life & Business with Aviva Wertkin of Naturae Medical

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aviva Wertkin.

Hi Aviva, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I began having health issues at a very young age. I’d come home from kindergarten and need to lay down every afternoon because I had a headache and felt so tired. As I grew up the symptoms only intensified and expanded. The medications I was given rarely helped and often came with side effects worse than my original concerns. I learned to numb myself and function regardless of pain and fatigue, otherwise I’d never do anything. While in college I began learning about the field of psycho-neuro-endocrine-immunology, the science of how these systems of our bodies worked together and the science behind the mind-body connection. I found it fascinating and ended up diving into research at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in their clinical neuro-endocrinology branch. I loved the research but also longed for more. I eventually decided to go to Naturopathic Medical school to become the kind of doctor I’d been looking for. I wanted to find answers so that others wouldn’t have to suffer as long as I did. While in NMD school I met a physician who would end up becoming my mentor and change my life forever. After decades of going to every MD specialist and alternative practitioners, including many other NDs, this Naturopathic Doctor knew how to identify the causes and treat all of my chronic diseases, that I had always been told were incurable. Within 1 year I noticed a significant improvement and by 2 years I no longer had the 5 chronic diseases I’d battled most my life. This doctor took me under his wing and taught me everything he knew. Not only did I regain my health, he taught me how to help others to heal. I’ve since created a holistic primary care practice in VT, a holistic family medicine practice in ME and co-founded a post-graduation institution to train other doctors. I’ve also burnt out twice in the last 18 yrs, which has taught me even more about healing at deeper levels and prepared me to address the stress responses most Americans are experiencing on a daily basis. I moved to CO about one year ago and opened a small private practice for people who want to themselves holistically.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There’s always challenges with starting your own business; especially when you end up moving and starting over several times! Moving across the country & starting a practice where I don’t have a professional reputation has been a recent challenge. After leaving my mentor’s practice, I started 2 more thriving practices and each time I’ve had to leave there’s a big letting go of something you’ve built from the ground up and a letting go of patients/a community you’ve genuinely cared for. There’s challenges of practicing full time while also managing other physicians and staff. There’s challenges whether I take every insurance plan or stop taking all insurances. There’s challenges balancing a professional and personal life. I don’t know any area of life that doesn’t come with some level of obstacles or challenges; however, every time we face them and overcome them, we grow that much more within ourselves.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We tend to go to a different doctor for each part of the body, as if each part of the body functions independently and as if the symptoms we develop are simply because our bodies are crazy, stupid or we just have bad luck or bad genes.
When you view the body as intelligent and understand that all of the parts and systems work together, it’s easier and more effective to treat someone for all of their health concerns. For example, if someone has headaches, high blood pressure and constipation; that usually means seeing a neurologist, cardiologist and gastroenterologist and taking medications to manage each symptom. In my practice, I want to know about everything going on in someone’s body, so I can get to the underlying causes of the symptoms. In this example of someone dealing with headaches, high blood pressure and constipation; all 3 of these could be caused by a combination of dehydration, a deficiency in magnesium and a disconnect from an emotional stressor. When you listen to what the body is saying and address the Why, rather than just trying to shut it up, you can correct the causes and eliminate the need to manage chronic conditions. In my practice, I don’t specialize in a body part or one illness, I specialize in helping people restore their health.

Pricing:

• $550 for 2-hour new patient appt
• $800 for a 3-hour new patient appt
• $300 for a 1 hour follow up
• Health Restoration Programs begin at $15k

Contact Info:

• Website: https://naturaemedical.com