Holistic Primary Care combines natural healthcare with general medicine care to achieve the best possible prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Combining both types of care allows for the least toxic and invasive solutions in a safe medical setting. Holistic care can treat medical problems such as mood disorders and chronic pain from arthritis, spinal discs, fibromyalgia and headaches. Autoimmune disease, fatigue, digestive complaints, hypertension, hypothyroidism, diabetes and other endocrine problems as well as female menstrual and menopausal problems and male sexual dysfunction are effectively and safetly treated with an integrative approach.

The most advanced and safest forms of natural therapies are used, including bioidentical hormones, standardized herb extracts, individualized diets and detoxification programs, homeopathy, vitamins and minerals, oral chelation and trigger point injections combined with manual therapies for pain. Prescription medications are used when necessary as well.

Dr. Straus uses state-of-the-art laboratory testing to evaluate for allergies, hormone levels, toxic metals, digestive and immune function, inflammation, and amino acids.

I have been involved in health and healing since 1973, beginning with natural foods cooking, then postgraduate naturopathic medical school and eight years of clinical practice in naturopathic medicine before attending traditional medical school and board certification in internal medicine and addition medicine.

As a specialist in natural foods preparation, I trained at the Omedga Institute. In addition to managing the Omega Institute kitchen, I have taught whole food cooking, and supervised natural foods catering. In my clinical practice, I use many types of therapeutic diets, and have eaten a mostly vegetarian diet for the past 30 years.

As a graduate of Bastyr University in 1986, I was trained in the science and art of natural healing therapeutics. I maintained a private naturopathic medical practice for 8 years, treating all ages and most illnesses with nutritional supplements and diet therapy, manual therapies, fasting and detoxification, herbs and lifestyle changes.

These treatments were highly effective, but some diseases require more intensive treatment than naturopathic doctors are licensed or trained to provide. To meet my patient's needs, and to continue my growth as a healer and physician, I returned to medical school, graduating in 1997. I then completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Roger Williams Medical Center in Rhode Island, a Boston University affiliate. I am Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine. I served as Associate Medical Director and Unit Chief at the Department of Addiction Medicine at Roger Williams Hospital.

I use naturopathic treatments, principals, and therapies, in my outpatient integrative medical practice.

In my personal life and work I have been active in sports my entire life. In high school I skied for 4 years in cross country, ski jumping, slalom and giant slalom earning ski-meister for best all around in state. At the University of Colorado I skied cross country and ski jumped for two years. After graduation I returned to coach at my old highschool for two years, then for the Steamboat Springs Colorado Winter Sports Club coaching the junior cross country and jumping programs and maintaining the ski jumping complex for two years. Throughout this time I have been an active runner completing the Boston Marathon 4 times, most recently in 2002 and 2003. I also rollerblade and continue to ski recreationally.

Education

Medical Doctor June, 1997

Saba University School of Medicine Gardner, MA/Netherlands-Antilles

Naturopathic Doctor June, 1986 Bastyr University, Seattle, WA

BA Environmental Design June, 1977 University of Colorado

Boulder, CO

Post Doctoral Training

Boston University School of Medicine/Roger Williams Hospital

Internal Medicine Residency

Licensure and Board Certification

Board Certified: Diplomat Internal Medicine No. 202862 2000

Board Certified: American Society of Addiction Medicine No. 095064 November 16, 2002



Professional Positions & Major Appointments

Associate Medical Director Roger Williams Medical Center

July, 2002 to June 2004.

Behavioral Medicine Providence, RI

Naturopathic Physician Portland and Kennebunk, ME., 1992-1994

Naturopathic Physician Corvallis, OR, 1986-1992

My philosophy of healthcare is based on the integration of Western or Conventional Medicine with Naturopathic principles and treatments. This is possible because my philosophy of care is to restore or maintain health with lifestyle changes and therapies that support or enhance the human body's normal functions and innate healing abilities. The lifestyle changes and naturopathic therapies that support and enchance normal function are inherently nontoxic and slow or reverse the disease and aging process. Lifestyle changes that are vital to health or the treatment of illness include adequate sleep, strenuous work or exercise, whole and natural foods, pure water, freedom from emotional and physical abuse, low exposure to environmental toxins, a strong social community and good personal hygiene.

Naturopathic therapies that are vital to health or the treatment of illness include the use of supplements such as vitamins, minerals, herbal extracts, essential fatty acids, amino acids, herbs, bioidentical hormones, and homeopathic preparations. Specific diets, manual therapies such as spinal adjustments, trigger point massage and injections as well as counseling also normalize bodily and mental function and thus healing. If these treatments are not adequate to restore or maintain health, then more invasive treatments such as prescription medications, surgery and injections may need to be used in either the short or long term. Major lifestyle changes can be difficult to achieve and naturopathic treatments can be expensive or difficult to follow but over time these hurdles can be overcome. The use of naturopathic care typically needs to be combined, either short or long term, with conventional care in illnesses involving a strong genetic tendency, a history of severe abuse or physical trauma, invasive cancer or progression of an illness to the point of organ failure. Use of conventional laboratory testing, physical exams and diagnostic imaging can be vital to establish an accurate diagnosis and as a way to monitor treatment. Without these objective tools, medical errors are more likely to happen.

Office Of Dr. Straus

534 Angell Street
Second floor
Providence, Rhode Island 02906

401-490-2033
jsstraus@cox.net



Insurance Coverage:

United Health Care, Some BCBS and other private plans

Office Hours:

By Appointment

DIRECTIONS:

Take 195 to the Gano Street exit. Go right on Gano up the hill to Waterman. Go right on Waterman then left on Wayland Ave. At the five way intersection of Wayland and Angell go right onto Angell, which is one way going east. The office is on the left and is the second building on the block after Wayland Manor. Parking is available behind the building. You can use either the rear or front enterance. Please go upstairs to check in.

Integrative Care is the synthesis of various diagnostic and treatment modalities to treat illness and optimize wellness. As a medical doctor trained in internal medicine, I have access to the full range of healthcare services. Invasive diagnostic testing, hospitalization, and referral for specialized care are needed for some medical conditions, and can be provided.

Early intervention with natural therapies can prevent the onset of chronic and acute illness. For existing chronic illness, natural treatments can be combined with current medical care. Dependence on prescription medicine can be lessened or eliminated as overall health improves. By combining current medical care with naturopathic therapies, a greater degree of disease control is achieved. The progression of many chronic illnesses can not only be controlled, but actually reversed.

For acute illness, naturopathic therapies can be combined with antibiotic and other acute prescriptions to augment and speed recovery. In cancer and surgical care, an integrative approach improves treatment tolerance by lessening side effects as well as speeding recovery.

Some natural treatments require medical training and licensure. Injectable vitamins and minerals, bioidentical hormones, and heavy metal chelation are used where need is documented.

LABORATORY TESTING

Standard laboratory testing often fails to show abnormalities until disease is well established. You may experience symptoms for years but are told there is "nothing wrong" because screening tests are normal. Many new tests have been developed that detect dysfunction in the early symptom phase of disease or even before symptoms start. These tests include:

*Salivary hormone levels

*Comprehensive stool and digestive

analysis

*Fatty acid analysis

*Serum allergy testing

*Urine tests for pH, vitamins,

minerals, and metabolic waste

products that indicate organ

dysfunction.

These tests permit objective and scientific monitoring of treatments that correct the early, pre-clinical phase of illness.

NATURAL THERAPIES

CLINICAL NUTRITION

Nutrition and the therapeutic use of foods have always been the cornerstone of natural medicine. A growing body of scientific knowledge in this area is reflected in numerous professional journals of nutrition and dietary sciences, validating the theraputic usr of diet and nutrition. Many medical conditions can be treated as effectively with foods and nutritional supplements as they can by other means, but with fewer complications and side effects. As a naturpoathic physician I have more than 140 classroom hours in clinical nutrition as well as numerous postgraduate seminars in nutritional therapies over the past twenty years.

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE

This system of medicine is almost 200 years old. Developed in Germany, Homeopathic Medicine is widely practiced in England, France, Germany, India, and some South American countries. Homeopathic medicine is based on the clinical finding that a substance which will produce specific symptoms when given to a healthy individual in large, crude doses will also stimulate the body's reactive process to remove similar symptoms in an ill person, when administered after it has been diluted and shaken repeatedly. Homeopathic medicine is effective in treating many childhood and adult medical problems. Side effects are virtually non-existent, and medicines are very economical and easy to take.

BOTANICAL MEDICINE

Native American, Chinese, Indian, Roman, Greek, and Middle Eastern cultures all developed extensive herbal therapies. Over the past 150 years, a scientific basis for herbal medicine developed in the United States and Europe (especially Germany). The effectiveness of herbal medicine is firmly established and relatively safe. The use of herbs is the fastest growing area of natural therapy due to its efficacy and scientific validity.

PHYSICAL MEDICINE

In the last 100 years, various methods of applying treatments through the manipulation of the muscles, bones and spine have been developed. Deep tissue massage, trigger point injections, muscle relaxation, as well as vitamin and mineral infusions are very effective in relieveing both acute and chronic pain. Physical therapy treatments including ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and hydrotherapy are also available on referral.

COUNSELING AND STRESS MANAGEMENT

Mental attitudes and emotional states can be important factors in healing and disease. Various psychological techniques, including counseling, stress management and biofeedback are used, or provided by referral.

ANTI-AGING MEDICINE

The use of bio-identical human hormones, lifestyle changes, orthomolecular nutrition, and herbal therapy to slow and reverse the normal age related decline in health.

DETOXIFICATION

Detoxification is the accelerated elimination of metabolic waste products and environmental toxins from the body. This is accomplishes through controlled sweating, an elimination diet, colon therapy, nutritional and herbal supplements and specific chelating agents coordinated in an intensive program. By the elimination of environmental toxins and excess metabolic waste products, the bodies natural restorative functions are augmented and healing accelerated.

THE FIRST OFFICE VISIT
Your first visit will typically take 45 to 60 minutes. This allows time for a complete history, brief physical exam, assessment of your health and initial treatment. Being thorough initially saves time in the long run.

How To Take Recommended Supplements and Follow Dietary Changes
Unless otherwise stated, supplements should be taken all at once, in the morning with breakfast. This simplifies the task. Leave bottles out on the counter or table where they can be seen. Homeopathic remedies are always taken alone. Do not stop taking recommended supplements until your next office visit. If you run out, refill the supplement. If you have any questions or concerns about continuing the supplement, please call the office before stopping. Dietary changes should also be followed until your next office visit. Should you feel the need to make any changes to your diet, please call and discuss them first.

IF YOU'RE NOT FEELING BETTER
When a treatment is working well, you should begin to feel better within a few days to several weeks, depending upon the nature of the problem. If this is not the case, please call the office so that we may reassess your treatment plan.
LENGTH OF TREATMENT
The goal is for you to start feeling better rapidly. At the end of your first office visit, a return visit will be scheduled. Typically, children and adults with chronic health problems require a series of visits over a 3 to 24 months, or longer. Wellness is a process with ups and downs, and it is achieved gradually.

RETURN VISITS
It helps many people to keep a list of questions to bring to return visits. I will take time to answer all of them after your reassessment. Please call the office should any questions or concerns arise between visits.

Bioidentical Hormone Testing and Replacement for Menopause, PMS and Menstrual Dysfunction; Hypothyroidism, Adrenal Fatigue and Male Sexual Dysfunction

Toxic Metals Testing and Oral Chelation - Detoxification

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, FM and Chemical Sensitivity

Allergy Testing

Arthritis Pain

Intravenous Vitamin and Mineral Therapy

Trigger Point Injection and Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Herbal and Nutritional Therapy

Dysbiosis and Candida Treatment

Anxiety, Depression and Other Emotional Disorders

Autoimmune Disease

Routine Exams, Lab Testing and Cancer Screening