Barefoot Living Arts Mind Body Healthcare in Fairfield, CT

Your First Visit with Dr. Mark 

Your first visit with Dr. Mark will take around 90 minutes, which is significantly longer than a conventional medical visit (generally, a conventional appointment will only be about 15-20 minutes long!).  This first visit is extended in order to give Dr. Mark a chance to get to know you better and gain an in-depth knowledge of your health, both past and present. 

Desired Outcomes

On your first visit, Dr. Mark will want to know about your health goals and desired outcomes. This may mean getting particular health issues under control or simply helping you feel more energetic and healthier all around. If you have particular ailments that are a concern, or a specific outcome or goal that you want to work towards, communicate that to him in this initial appointment.

Health History

Dr. Mark will ask you questions in order to make a detailed record of your health history and concerns. This will involve inquiry into your current and past health, medications, and lifestyle. You can expect a large portion of your first visit to be dedicated to having a discussion with your ND and giving them a lot of information. It is important, on your first visit, that your honest and give a comprehensive look at your health history and truly understands your individual experience in order to properly recommend the best plan for you going forward.

Questions About Diet

Food is a focal point in naturopathic medicine, so he will be asking a number of questions regarding your diet, including what you eat regularly, any supplements that you take, and how you feel after eating certain foods. They will also connect the dots to GI health, energy, stress and sleep. This will enable him to come up with a plan that fits your individual situation and is root-cause-focused. You may be asked to complete a food diary and other paperwork prior to that first visit.

Physical Exam and Tests

On the first visit, he will conduct a physical examination and prescribe any laboratory tests that are relevant in order to complete an assessment and diagnosis. When making their assessment, your ND will use conventional diagnostic tactics and the principles and practice of naturopathic medicine. They may incorporate East Asian Medicine diagnostic techniques and attention to physical details that can provide a holistic understanding of the patient’s complaints.

Next Steps

At the end of the appointment, Dr. Mark will make some initial suggestions and talk with you to collaboratively create an individualized treatment plan and follow-up appointment schedule. Depending on the findings from the intake and examination, he may recommend any or all of these following treatments: focused therapeutic nutrition, herbal medicine, supplements, mind-body techniques, homeopathy, physical medicine, stress reduction approaches, lifestyle counseling, East Asian Medicine, hydrotherapy, referrals to other providers, and more.

Conditions we treat>