Sara Thyr, N.D.

As this is my first blog post for the Argus Courier, I’ll provide a brief introduction.

I have been a naturopathic doctor for 10 years, here in Petaluma for one and a half. It was something of a circuitous path to this profession.

I went to undergraduate school at a small, liberal arts college in Kansas, where I was raised. There I was a biology major, and thought after graduation that I would go into medicine. I ended up not going to medical school right after graduation, and got a job offer from a major pharmaceutical company. At the time it was quite exciting, and I moved from Ottawa, Kansas to Los Angeles. It was a good change of scenery for me – broadening my horizons substantially.

Selling pharmaceuticals in LA was an education for a gal from Kansas. While it was inevitable that I’d eventually leave the field, my experiences there were important in shaping how I look at the world, and certainly my beliefs about health and healthcare.

I was intrigued by naturopathic medicine after reading an article in a health food store magazine about treating childhood ear infections without antibiotics. As I did more research about the philosophy and treatments at the heart of this medicine, it was as though the light shone and angels sang. It just made so much sense – to find and treat the causes of disease, to treat the whole person, trust the healing power of nature – rather than putting “band-aids” on illnesses, that sometimes work, and often cause unwanted side effects.

After finishing my naturopathic medicine degree at Bastyr University in Seattle (along with the midwifery program), I accepted a job at a small clinic in New Hampshire. I was there for eight years, and having married a native Californian in that time, we finally decided the time was right to head back west to be nearer family and friends. We arrived in Petaluma in August 2008, and I opened Willowbend Natural Medicine.

Naturopathic doctors provide a full array of naturopathic medicine services, including well-child exams, gynecological care, and general family medicine. Naturopathic medicine is effective in treating many issues, such as chronic vaginal infections, infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and menopausal issues. Natural therapies are also very effective in dealing with severe allergies and digestive problems. Treatment plans may include nutrition and lifestyle changes, herbs, homeopathy and nutritional supplements – always focusing on the whole person, and what will work the best to treat their main complaint.

It is immensely rewarding to see people who have been suffering regain their health. They often feel more empowered in their healthcare. Sometimes the answer to a complicated problem is something quite simple. Other issues may take more time and a more in-depth approach. Finding the balance for the individual is what most naturopathic doctors strive to do.

Dr. Thyr obtained her doctoral degree in Naturopathic Medicine and midwifery certification from Bastyr University, Seattle, Washington.

www.DrThyr.com