By: Aimee Griswold

Introduction

Dr. Andrew Elliott is a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathy, and naturopathy. He’s practiced in Eugene since 1979. Naturopathic physicians are trained to understand a wide variety of medical practices, such as: naturopathy, homeopathy, conventional medicine, diagnosis, lab work, imaging studies, botanical medicine, Chinese medicine, nutrition, and psychological medicine.

Q&A With Dr. Andrew Elliott – Naturopathic Physician

 Q: What’s your name and profession?

A: My name is Andrew Elliott, and I am a naturopathic physician. It’s an eclectic profession, which means we draw from a lot of different places. We’re trained to understand, and to some degree practice, conventional medicine, to understand diagnosis, lab work, and imaging studies. In Oregon, we’re trained to use all prescription medicines, botanical medicines, homeopathy, to have an understanding of Chinese medicine, nutrition, and psychological medicine.

Q: How long have you been working in the field and what made you decide to get into this type of medicine? 

A: I am working in my 35th year of practice in Eugene. I was always interested in medicine until I got into high school and became fascinated with psychology. When I was in school, I got more and more disenchanted with conventional medicine because of its materialistic, one-dimensional look at things. I also got more and more disappointed in psychology. So, I got out of school and was en route to becoming a physical therapist when I came across homeopathy. At that point, I changed courses and found a school that would teach me homeopathy, as well as give me a license to practice.

Q: How has naturopathic medicine changed over the years? 

A: Since I’ve been practicing, the public awareness of alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine has changed tremendously. In the beginning when I went in to get a bank loan for my practice, the banker said, “Well, after doing some research on your profession, we’re not going to give you a loan because nobody’s ever heard of this. And in six months you’re gong to fail.” Now I’m going into my 35th year and that bank failed after about three years.

Q: What’s somethings that has surprised you most about your type of work?

A: It’s a very deeply satisfying practice. It’s not a lucrative field (at least the way I practice medicine) because we spend a lot more time with people than we should if we want to make good money at this. I really wanted to do something I felt was honestly good medicine, and true to my heart and my mind. So, you know, all of the financial difficulties that have come with it have been worth it, and they’re not too terrible.