INTER ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER

Naturopathic Physican offers alternative care at Inter Island Medical Center

Walking down the hall to Dr. Tina Torri's office at Inter Island Medical Center, a patient immediately knows this isn't the typical doctor's office. The water fountain, candles, jade plants outside the office are the first clue. Torri, a board accredited and licensed Naturopathic Physician and licensed acupuncturist began working at the clinic in February, 2007. "I specialize in these different areas and can tailor how to on each individual person. I'm seeing great results," she said. "This is the most rewarding profession I can think of."

Inside the office space is divided into a reception area, decorated with a comfortable couch and chair, and a treatment room. Torri consults with patients in the reception area and discusses different treatment options.

Torri graduated from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine. She has a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and a Master of Science in Oriental Medicine and is licensed as an acupuncturist. Before moving to San Juan Island, she had a family practice in Portland, Oregon.

In Friday Harbor, she is not doing family practice, instead she is specializing in complementary (alternative) medicine. Classic homeopathy and Chinese medicine approach symptom evaluation and diagnosis differently from Western medicine. Therefore she requires that her patients have a primary care physician.

Torri does dietary and lifestyle counseling tailored to each individual patient's need. "When a patient is motivated, they can bring into their own lives as much of these changes as they like to. They can feel quite a bit better with these little changes," she said.

Patients can make appointments by being referred to Torri through their physician or without a referral. Call the medical center at 378.2141 to make an appointment. She sees patients usually on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Many of the referrals from physicians have been for acupuncture or nutritional counseling. She has treated patients for many other maladies including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, digestive problems, headaches, stress and depression.

"The most rewarding part is classical homeopathy. I tend to be able to treat more complicated cases. I diagnose based on symptoms and different diagnostic techniques used in Chinese medicines," she said.

Pain relief is also a big part of her work. It can be done through acupuncture or homeopathy. In choosing what will work when treating patients for pain or any condition, Torri makes sure it is compatible with the care they are receiving from their primary physician.

Being in the medical center, it is easy for the treatment she has done to be shared with the primary physician. "I see the the physician and the nurses every day. I can put a note in the chart and let them know," she said.

Torri is happy with the her move to the island, her new space, and her collegues. "I really, really love what I do." she said.

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