Insights To Health

I used a Groupon, and like so many before me, I was duped into thinking it paid for everything. After a 30 minute conversation with the «dr» I was walked to the front desk with a prescription for all kinds of vitamins and tonics that cost an additional $ 150. In addition, the «detox» was simply a 500 calorie a day diet. Ummmm, really? This was on a Friday. By Monday, I received an email saying the dr. had «unexpectedly quit» and that I would need to start all over with a new dr. After a week of eating practically nothing, I decided to quit. The consolation (I thought) was that I had my bloodwork done. Unfortunately, in order to receive the results, I’d need to come in for an appt. at $ 118. No thanks. I do not recommend.

Recently I had my initial intake appointment with Dr. Jenna Wilson Crain at Insights to Health. I’ve never experienced such a thorough, intelligent, and compassionate interview with a physician before. She went beyond expectations, even trying to save me lots of money by suggesting less expensive options through community health clinics and community acupuncture. Initially I came to this clinic because they provide cold laser treatment, and I had been lead to believe by the Oregon Health Plan that they would be covering my treatment. When it was discovered that I had been mislead and that they would not be covering my treatment, Dr. Crain went out of her way to find multiple ways for me to receive adequate, affordable treatment. Through her wise counseling and advice, it’s now inevitable I will be receiving the treatment I’ve needed for so long, not just for my plantar fasciitis, but for many other aspects of my overall health. Obviously, her concern for her clients and belief that limited funds should not deprive people of health care, eclipses any other concerns for her. This kind of heart is what’s at the heart of the true healing profession. I’m grateful to her, and recommend her services whole heartedly.

If there were minus stars I would use 5 minus stars. Every negative review you have read on this blog are correct. I also bought the $ 145.00 Groupon and again like the previous posts there were additional fees attached. No B-​12 injections are given much less discussed and they push you to buy the additional supplements.
I have spent close to $ 1,000 for this ‘treatment’ and supplements and every time go in I have a new condition I need to buy supplements for! They keep your CC on file to charge and send you additional supplements.
I actually liked Dr Noska and I felt he was interested in my health.
Dr Noska obviously could not support the sham any longer and has moved on.
I was then scheduled with a Dr? Gil Winkleman after (Dr Noska left) who was more interested in bragging about his golf book than interested in my health.
The vision I see here is he was actually a utility worker who took some courses to ‘become’ a Naturopath to work along with his wife.
He certainly doesn’t look like he follows the healthy lifestyle.
I had an appt THE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING.
There was no call ahead no appt confirmation before an e mail 24 hours before my appt (I just happened to check my email) –I called to cancel my appointment they said it was less than 24 hours (the email was sent at 2:00pm and I called at 2:35pm)
I told them I was unable to come 23.5 hours ahd of my appt time and was charged for the visit.$ 117.00!
I have NEVER been charged for a visit even by a REAL DR. This shows desperation for $$$. Every time I have gone in there there is a different receptionist. Constant staff changes clearly represent an internal problem.
So as you can see– the Groupon it not really a savings at all, its a sham to get you in there to buy and buy supplements.
Don’t waste your money or your time to go to this office that looks like it could be packed up and outta there in 15 minutes. Truly a waste of time and money!

I went to Insights to Health, heretofore ITH, after purchasing their Groupon. I had been wanting to do a detox/​cleanse for weight loss and I was particularly drawn to doing it with the help of a Naturopath. Originally I wanted to be scheduled with Dr Christie Winkelman based on another reviewers glowing remarks but, her next opening was a couple of weeks out. Since I was anxious to get started I scheduled an appointment with Dr Noska whom I could get in with right away. First, I want to say that the program worked and I was successful in losing weight and keeping it off. I am a 54 year old woman which anyone my age ca attest is not an easy age to lose weight at. I did the program in June. Overall I lost 14 pounds, short of my goal of 20 pounds but, I have a pretty small build. My goal weight was 120. I lost the first 10 during the 21 day cleanse then an additional 4 during the maintenance and stabilization phases. I am pleased with the results and with the fact that I have kept the weight off with fluctuations of only 1 to 2 pounds which is normal.
So, that is the good news. The following are the issues I had a problem with.
1. I think it is disingenous to advertise this program as a detox and weight loss plan and then be told immediately upon sitting down with Dr Noska that this is NOT a weight loss plan. Maybe Dr Noska feels it minimizes the scope of his work to come to him solely with the intention of losing weight but, It says it right in the Groupon text, «the goal is rapid weight loss… up to 1 pound a day possible.» You eat only 500 calories a day. This IS a weight loss program and the main, if not sole, reason people are buying the Groupon. I felt like I had come in with ulterior motives.
2. It is dishonest to say that you are going to give your clients a personalized meal plan only to be given a food list that has, word for word, been taken from the HCG diet. Briefly, for those who haven’t heard of it, the HCG diet involves taking a hormone that a woman produces during pregnancy along with a very very low calorie diet to lose a significant amount of weight during a 21 day period. There is a ton of information online if anyone wants to read about it more in depth. I accidentally discovered the details of the HCG diet when I googled oil free moisturizers. Oil based lotions are forbidden because the skin absorbs the oils and it can cause you to stall or even gain weight. Many of the hits I got were from HCG related websites. I didn’t know very much about HCG and thought, huh, what a coincidence. So, I read all about it and found that the food list was identical. Quite frankly, it made me feel a bit duped.
Part of the ITH program involves taking detox drops which are critical to the plan because otherwise it is very dangerous to live on only 500 calories a day. I asked for a breakdown of these drops and was given it, but I don’t have the background to understand why these ingredients work together to keep my body from cannibalizing itself while subsisting on so little food. I can only assume the Drs at ITH have found a way of perhaps mimicking what HCG does without actually using the hormone. The sale of pure HCG is illegal except to those with a prescription from a physician and for fertility reasons only. The ITH detox drops are over the counter. There are many versions of homeopathic HCG online, some of which have been banned because of false promises. In reading the FAQs on the Detox/​21 day weight loss section of the ITH website I found I was not the only one who had questions about this. ITH specifically addresses it but their only response is that there are «some» similarities but no injections nor any HCG. The ONLY dissimilarity between their diet and the HCG diet is the absence of HCG.
I specifically asked Dr Noska about it but got the same minimalist response. it. I was drawn to ITH because I wanted to take a naturopathic route to try to shed 20 pounds I just couldn’t shake. And I believed they would put me on a «personalized plan «based on an extensive questionnaire I was asked to fill out prior to the appointment. So, it just kind of pissed me off that not just the food plan was identical to the HCG plan, but every detail from A to Z was exactly the same. I had a higher expectation of an alternative care provider (naïve much?) and I felt that I was lied to.
I had a follow up visit scheduled after the initial 21 days. I was tempted to cancel because I didn’t see paying almost $ 120 for information I could access online. In the end I am glad I did because Dr Noska gave me some supplements for my liver which apparently wasn’t metabolizing properly and they were quite helpful. The additional 4 pounds I lost cost me only $ 44.25 per pound. :) While I don’t plan on returning I would like to say that Dr Noska and the staff were courteous, professional and quick to respond to my emails. He seems to be very knowledgeable and competent, but not the MD for me.

Gil is a counselor who lacks empathy and compassion. He is not very knowledgeable and rather selfish to tell you the truth. There’s a reason why they’re running Groupons people, don’t waste your time and money, and surely do not mess around with your health!

I went in on one of the «daily deal» vouchers for the 21 day weight loss detox. I paid $ 139 and this was to include «One hour visit with customized treatment plan, basic detox supplements and a B-​12 Injection» well upon finishing my appointment, Dr. Noska walked me out to the front desk to get the supplements we had discussed. The receptionist told me it would be $ 133 for them! These were IN ADDITION to the one’s that the voucher covered. I asked her if any of them could be skipped to bring my cost down. She went and asked the doctor and he said «no, not really». I am very frustrated that this daily deal detox program isn’t what it’s described as, because obviously the $ 139 voucher does not cover the whole program.

I have never had a doctor this caring before. I have never had a doctor that would
allow well over an hour listening intently to all my ailments.
To have a doctor who wants to treat me as a unique individual is rare, in my opinion.
I am a mother of four. Naturally, I was too busy taking care of my family and naturally
neglected yours truly, sigh.
I went to see Dr. Huffman with the last attempt to find relief for my symptoms. I have
to confess I was a tad skeptical and at the same time curious about this naturopathic
approach. After an hour or so of talking (mostly me talking), we agreed on a treatment
plan. (You must commit and follow the instructions in order for it to work!) Within a
week and much to my pleasant surprise, I felt better. Oh, and another surprise–
Dr. Huffman called to see how I’m feeling. Jolly nice.
Although this is a pricey approach, the outcome is priceless. It is a kindler and
gentler approach to a long-​term healthier you.
Mother of Four Teenage Daughters.

I’m new to ITH, originally going for a Group-​On.
First, I’ll say that Dr. Christie Winkelman does one of the most detailed health histories I’ve ever seen. Not only did I have 6 pages of paperwork to complete before I got there, she had actually spent time reviewing it before I met her and jotted down some notes so we could discuss more. Their approach is holistic, and I mean it — they were counselors before they were NDs.
Next, I’ll say you feel like you are being heard, and that you matter. They are not there to tell you what’s wrong with you — they’re there to help put everything in balance.
Finally, this is NOT cheap — seriously. If you have insurance, use it. If you don’t… don’t be surprised if each visit is about $ 200. However, personally, I think it’s worth it.