New naturopathic practice offers alternatives for those with chronic disease

By Jesse Wright for Haven Chicago

People with chronic disease may have learned to live in discomfort, but two new naturopathic doctors practicing in Streeterville say they can help.

Doctors Kolby Ourada and Alex Orton recently opened Haven Chicago at 233 E. Erie where they serve patients from across the city.

These unique services are the first of their kind in Chicago, but based on the patients they have seen, the two believe there is a need for their services. Ourada said most of their patients have been trying to get better for years.

“The majority of our patients have some kind of chronic disease, like gastrointestinal problems or joint pain or auto immune conditions or some other chronic illness,” he said. “We’re finding the majority of the patients we’ve seen, they’ve tried the traditional route. Our role is to empower the patient to establish the conditions for health that will allow them to heal.”

For someone suffering with a chronic illness, Ourada recommends a 90-day-intensive program that includes a thorough assessment of nutritional deficiencies, organ dysfunction, and lifestyle behaviors. Orton points out however, the treatment isn’t a one-time thing. It is most assuredly not just a pills for symptoms, and it requires work from the patient.

“This is a transformation health program so people can experience significant healing in three months, but the purpose is to empower the person to continue to heal outside the office,” Orton said. “True holistic medicine should be patient centered. They’re doing a lot of work on their own, changing the way they eat and changing the way they live. It’s different than just taking pills and not changing anything in your life. We teach people how to implement changes and support them so they can maintain their health for years to come.”

Kolby said many health issues are due to years of neglect or ignorance.

“After a certain time, if you’re not living within the laws of health then the physiological function of your body starts to break down,” he explained.

Orton said they also offer a full range of services and treatments for anyone interested in getting healthy, including nutritional consultations for anyone interested in wellness.

“Naturopathic medicine is very different from conventional medicine where there are silos of specialties,” Orton said. “When you’re approaching the body holistically, you’re getting a more individualized approach that focuses on the individual person, not their disease. Many people are just managing their condition with drugs, plateauing, maybe even getting worse. … We provide the tools and the empowerment so people can feel better and work towards getting off their medications.”

To find out more about Haven Chicago, visit their website, havenholistichealth.com.