FAQs | Central Illinois Natural Health Clinic

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Founded upon a holistic philosophy, naturopathic medicine combines safe and effective traditional therapies with the most current advances in modern medicine. Naturopathic medicine is appropriate for the management of a broad range of health conditions affecting all people of all ages.

Naturopathic physicians (N.D.s) are the highest trained practitioners in the broadest scope of naturopathic medical modalities. In addition to the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostics, naturopathic education includes therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, classical Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology and minor surgery.

What is the Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is based on six core principles that guide all treatment decisions:

First, do no harm (Primum non nocere)
Work with the healing power of nature (Vis medicatrix naturae)
Find and treat the cause of disease, not just the symptoms (Tolle causam)
Doctor as teacher (Docere)
Treat the whole person
Prevention

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic health care focuses primarily on spinal function and its relationship to the nervous system and overall health. The science of chiropractic is based on the premise that good health depends, in part, on a normally functioning nervous system. Chiropractic principle emphasizes that the body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism and that body function is controlled and coordinated by the brain, spinal cord and the nerves that branch throughout the body. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and remove spinal dysfunction and nerve interference, returning the body to its natural state of health and wellness.

What is Neurostructural Integration Technique (NST)?

Considered by many to be the world’s leading technique in structural and spinal therapy for lasting pain removal and rejuvenation, this gentle hands-on therapy can produce significant pain relief in as little as 2-3 treatments in most cases.

See our Neurostructural Integration Technique FAQ for more details.

What services are offered at Central Illinois Natural Health Clinic?

These services are offered:

Neurostructural Integration Technique: a gentle, hands-on therapy for pain relief
Botanical (herbal) medicine
Physical exams
Women’s exams / Pap smears
Clinical nutrition
Chiropractic adjustments
Physiotherapy
FirstLine Therapy: an exciting therapeutic lifestyle program for achieving optimal body weight, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Counseling, using various mind-body techniques (such as breathing exercises, Emotional Freedom Technique, Sedona Method, and labyrinth walking) for the management of negative emotions.

Does Dr. Peters prescribe pharmaceutical drugs?

No. Natural medicine has a tremendous impact on unleashing the body’s inherent powers for self-healing. In some cases, though, pharmaceutical drugs may be appropriate and necessary as part of an overall treatment plan; in such instances, Dr. Peters will refer you to your medical physician.

What is the training of the doctor?

Andrew Peters, DC, ND, graduated summa cum laude from the National College of Chiropractic (now National University of Health Sciences) near Chicago in 1997. His experience includes over 3 years in chiropractic practice in Wisconsin. Dr. Peters earned his Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) degree in 2004 from Bastyr University in Seattle, the nation’s premier naturopathic medical school. Dr. Peters continues his training through professional continuing education programs.

Does Central Illinois Natural Health Clinic accept insurance?

Dr. Andrew Peters is a provider for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, MultiPlan, Coventry, and Medicare. We also accept worker’s compensation and personal injury cases. Other insurance plans are accepted at an out-of-network rate. Coverage is limited to chiropractic benefits. Our office will assist you in obtaining coverage information. CINHC also accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Is Naturopathic Medicine licensed in Illinois?

No. Dr. Peters is a licensed Chiropractic Physician in Illinois, and a licensed Naturopathic Physician in Washington State. The broad scope of practice law for Chiropractic Physicians in Illinois allows Dr. Peters to employ all the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities used at Central Illinois Natural Health Clinic. The Illinois Association of Naturopathic Physicians continues to work for naturopathic licensing legislation.

Does Dr. Peters participate in any multi-level marketing companies?

No. Central Illinois Natural Health Clinic and Dr. Peters maintain a policy of not participating in multi-level marketing (a.k.a. MLM or “network marketing”) companies. While some of these companies’ products may be of good quality and have therapeutic value, there are often less expensive alternatives available from reputable professional manufacturers. Other products are merely over-hyped and have no scientific validity.
Most importantly, our primary mission is the establishment of an effective doctor-patient relationship, based on naturopathic principles, to assist you in achieving your health goals. The commercial incentives that form the basis for MLM companies have the potential to interfere with that relationship.