Naturopathic Doctor Opens Office in Downtown Chelsea

Naturopathic medicine is about "treating the whole person," says Dr. Nia-Avelina Aguirre, who recently opened a second location in downtown Chelsea.

"When a patient comes in, we're looking at that whole person and seeing that whole person," Aguirre said.

The Manchester resident has been in the natural health and fitness profession since 1983 and opened her office on Main Street in June to accommodate the growing clientele.

Unlike traditional western culture medical doctors, Aguirre said naturopathic doctors do not diagnose illnesses. After consultations with patients, however, naturopathics can develop treatment plans using a variety of alternative methods, including acupuncture, herbal and floral extracts, homeopathic therapy, nutritional counseling and mineral supplements.

"Instead of reacting to a problem with prescription drugs, we tend to focus on preventive care and teach patients how to live healthier," she explained. "We usually get people once they've gone through the traditional treatments and nothing seems to work, however naturopathic remedies have become more prevalent among the younger generation in recent years."

Since launching her practice, Aguirre said she has treated everything from simple allergens to high blood pressure, moles, and cancer.

Heather Barthell of Manchester began seeing Aguirre in 2011 after doctors could not diagnose a chronic lung and heart ailment Barthell developed while vacationing in Colorado.

"After a year and $3,000 in medical bills, a friend gave me Nia’s phone number,” Barthell recalls. “By the time I left our initial consultation, she determined I had Trichinosis, a rare round worm infection that was caused by exposure to cats."

Barthell said she immediately began an herbal treatment that has since completely eliminated the lung infection.

"I feel 90 percent better than I did a year ago," she said.

In addition, Barthell said Aguirre recently treated her son for Dermatitis after traditional medicine stopped working.

"Doctors told him that his skin breeds a type of bacteria that will cause Dermatitis for the rest of his life. Nia determined the bacteria, gave him an antidote, and now his skin is clearing up," she said. "I definitely recommend her to anyone who has a chronic condition."

Aguirre is a board certified naturopathic doctor who graduated from the Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education (NITE) in 2000. She's also a certified medicinal herbalist and exercise specialist and holds a degree in exercise and sports medicine from Eastern Michigan University. She has also taken additional naturopathic classes from Bastyr University in Washington.

She said she became interested in naturopathic medicine as far back as she can remember.

"My dad used to watch fitness programs with Jack Lalanne, so that kind of led me into it, and then it just opened up to me," she said.

For more information on naturopathic care, call 734-883-7513 or email niaaguirre@aol.com. Aguirre's office is located inside the Sylvan Building and hours are by appointment.