Meet Nia-Avelina Aguirre, N.D.
Nia-Avelina Aguirre has been a Naturopathic Doctor for over 30 years. No, I didn’t make that up, and neither did she. She is board-certified by the American Naturopathic Medicine Certification Board.
I’ll admit, I’ve never been one to specifically seek out natural methods to cure common ailments. I didn’t grow up that way as a kid. As an adult, I worked with M.D.’s and Ph.D.’s for over 14 years. The cures for patient’s problems have always been pharmaceutical medicines or surgeries. I trusted the people I work with and I therefore trust their decisions. For the most part I still do, but after some reflection, it is time to consider what pharmaceuticals are actually doing to the body and determine if it is right or wrong for me. That’s where Nia comes in. She simply provides natural, non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical treatment options.
Nia has had an office in Manchester for three years. However, last summer, when Nia moved her practice to the street level and was being noticed by many for the first time. It was then that I witnessed a gentlemen and his family coming out of the Coffee Mill. He read the lettering on Nia’s window and mocked the initials “N.D.” He wondered aloud if that was a real degree or something she made up. He is obviously not someone who would seek natural alternatives to modern medicine and he’s not the only one. But, let me introduce you to Nia and we’ll see if you change your mind like I did.
Sitting down with Dr. Aguirre was certainly eye opening. Here’s a little about her:
In addition to being a board-certified Naturopathic Doctor, Nia is a Medicinal herbalist, and Exercise Specialist. She has been teaching professionally in the natural health and fitness field since 1983. She completed the four-year, on-site Naturopathic Doctor program at the Naturopathic Institute of Therapies and Education (NITE) in Mount Pleasant. Before that she graduated with honors in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine from Eastern Michigan University. In addition, she has taken several courses in naturopathic medicine from Bastyr University. She also teaches at her alma mater and is constantly up to date with the current information.
One persuasive fact that Nia talked about was her board exam. It is five days long. Five days! The Michigan State bar exam (for attorneys) is two days. She, along with her classmates, passed the exam on the first try. NITE is one of the only institutions that has a history of preparing ALL their students well enough to pass on the first attempt.
Because of Nia’s diverse background she utilizes an arsenal of methods, depending on a person’s preference or condition. She may suggest simple changes to an individual’s diet, or suggest the addition of minerals or herbs. She may suggest topical methods such as essential oils or using bodywork & energy therapies. She works with people of all ages with all kinds of conditions.
During the initial visit, Nia tries to obtain as much information as possible. She will also request to perform a urine analysis and blood type analysis to view the overall health of the person, looking for indications of contributing factors. A client might be having problem with their foot, but if Nia is aware of other issues, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, she may choose one method over another.
Nia is quick to point out that she does not take clients off of their medicines. She would prefer to work with a person’s primary care doctor to increase the overall health of an individual so that there body needs less medicine. With the right diet and exercise the body will learn to heal itself and pharmaceuticals won’t be as necessary.
Dr. Aguirre’s brochure lists the many treatment options that are available, though she normally starts with one or two and modifies her treatments to meet a client’s needs. With all of the training that she has had, it is rare that she will have to send a client to another specialist. Just a few of my favorite methods are described below.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a practice that is based on the principles that there are touch points in the feet and the hands that correspond to different parts of the body. This is not a standard massage therapy. By working the feet in very specific ways, it’s possible to have an effect on various parts of the body. This is not a new idea. Indeed, it’s very old. There are documented hieroglyphics from a physician’s tomb in Egypt around 2500 BC that shows him tending to the noblemen by massaging the hands and the feet. Reflexology is also a well-accepted practice with more modern treatment options as well. Michigan State has been doing studies of the benefits of reflexology for cancer patients. One such study was performed by Dr. Gwenn Wyatt funded through a grant by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The completed study “specifically found that the symptom of dyspnea, or shortness of breath, was improved, and in turn, participants were able to function better in 10 areas of physical activity such as carrying a bag of groceries and walking a flight of stairs.” Her research in this area continues as she has been awarded yet another grant from the NIH to test the benefits of reflexology for improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
Foot Soaks
Nia has about five different foot soaks that she uses and teaches regularly. When a client comes in, she will have clients soak their feet in a personalized footbath to pull out the toxins from the body. She teaches clients how to do the foot soaks at home for continued health for themselves and for their entire family. Each soak is personalized depending on what is going on in a client’s life or the condition that the client is working on. Some examples of foot soaks are those that are designed to pull heavy metals from the body, liver cleansing, or joint cleansing. After thirty minutes, there is often literally “sediment” at the bottom of the footbath, but everyone has different results.
Food Education
In her Ann Arbor office, Nia has access to a commercial kitchen. She is able to do food demonstrations. There are specific foods that will battle irritable bowel syndrome or arthritis, for example. She educates her clients on what to eat and what foods are effective for specific conditions. She understands the importance of making small changes and working towards a goal. Over the years she has learned to compromise with her clients. “I don’t care if you sprinkle cheese on your food, but get the healthy stuff in you.” She would then teach the client to improve their food choices by choosing natural foods rather than processed foods. “If you have to pick between two evils, pick the more natural one.”
Nia is expanding her class options with new offerings this spring. Her office is located at 109 E. Main Street in downtown Manchester next to United Bank & Trust. Registration is required for all classes. Contact her at 734.883.7513 or email niaaguirre@aol.com.
After School STUDENT YOGA & PILATES mini-sessions
A great and fun way to tone your body, improve posture, gain core strength and relax! Mats and any equipment will be provided, but if you have your own mat please bring it.
Wednesdays, March 26, April 2; $25
Wednesdays, April 16, 23, 30; $25
Wednesdays, May 14, 21, 28; $25
6th – 8th Grade: 3:30 – 4:15pm
9th – 12th Grade: 4:30 – 5:15pm
The Health Benefits of Culinary Herbs and Spices
Your kitchen, garden and/or yard has an abundance of herbs and spices which contain a powerhouse of nutrients. This 3-part series will be very educational on how they keep you healthy and make your food taste great.
Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16
6:30 – 7:30pm
$45 for the series; $20 for single day.
Includes: Handouts and taste-testing
Her office is open by appointment only because she does have space in Ann Arbor and in Chelsea, but she is generally in Manchester at various times on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Give her a call if you need to schedule a weekend appointment and she can make herself available on some weekends. Call for an appointment at 734-883-7513.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login