Testimonials

• During almost twenty years of service we have helped thousands of individuals who were struggling with pain or illness or not feeling at their best. Most of them had previously sought other opinions and attempted other strategies with less than optimal results. We have successfully assisted many of them by enhancing self-healing and maximizing their quality of life.
  

Here are few of our patient’s stories:

Endometriosis and Infertility

Laurie was 33 when she first saw us. She suffered from severe abdominal pains for half of the month and her periods were extremely heavy. Laurie told us that her condition made it impossible for her to work or socialize for 10 days out of every month. She had been diagnosed with Endometriosis and told by her gynecologist that she will have to have her uterus and ovaries removed. She and her husband had been trying to get pregnant for the last 3 years with no results.

After doing a couple of tests for minerals and fatty acids levels, we established a special diet and supplement program and a series of micro-current treatments.

Within a month of treatment, there was an obvious change. Her second menstrual period was a lot lighter and less painful and within 4 months of starting treatment she reported only minor pains and only one heavy day of menses.

Eight months after the initial visit, Laurie called to tell us was pregnant. A healthy baby boy was born few months later.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Lena was in her early 40’s when she came to see us. She had been almost bed ridden for the last year with unexplained fatigue. She had visited numerous doctors and had extensive diagnostic tests that did not show any abnormality. Her General Practitioner had sent her to see a psychiatrist.

We chose to do a couple of functional diagnostic tests for Lena that showed her to be extremely deficient in certain minerals and which also clearly showed Thyroid and Adrenal gland dysfunction. She was tested for her Metabolic Type and found to be a Fast Oxidizer, yet she had, at the recommendation of a friend, followed a raw food diet, which was not appropriate for her metabolic type. Lena was put on a program consistent of a fortifying diet, herbal supplements and vitamin B injections.

Within 6 weeks she was able to walk around her property and within 3 months she was attending to her horses and farm animals. A year later she took a teaching position and was back in good health.


Depression & Anxiety

When I first came to the center I was at one of the lowest, darkest points in my life. I was in a deep despairing depression, was loosing weight, not sleeping well, and had lost my period for several months. I felt I was drowning with no hope of escape. One thing that first touched me was the sense that they were committed to seeing me through to my health. They were there to work with me and support me in regaining, and building my foundation of wholeness, wellness, and emotion and physical health. Through the help of natural supplements, herbal tinctures, some medication, amino acid therapy for extremely low serotonin and dopamine levels, and supportive contact, I am feeling a strong and growing sense of wellbeing and wholeness within. I sleep well, am gaining some weight and my periods are balancing into a regular 28-day cycle for the first time ever! I also have made some big changes in my life and am adjusting to them with a sense of peace and love. I feel much gratitude both for the expertise and quality of care and caring I received.  Thank you for all you give!

In love, health and light,
Karen -Seattle, WA

Obesity

Cheryl was 38 years old and 80 pounds overweight when she sought help from us. She was considering doing a stapling operation but was afraid of the anesthesia. She had always been a bit overweight but after having three pregnancies, her weight had escalated and become unmanageable. Cheryl had tried many diets. She had lost and gained hundreds of pounds over the last 8 years and unable to keep the weight down. She reported that every time she would try a diet, she would start to feel nervous and angry and become very unpleasant to be around.
From the detailed history we took on the first visit, we recognized that Cheryl was eating mainly in order to maintain her moods high. We assumed there was an imbalance of Serotonin and/or Dopamine levels. She was put on an amino acids program and a diet consistent with her metabolic type, as well as an exercise program.
The first thing she noticed was a sense of wellbeing and satisfaction. She was not perpetually hungry nor wanted to eat for comfort. Cheryl lost all her extra weight and many years later she was still exercising and eating to live, rather than living to eat.

Hives

Andrea was a 37 year old attorney that came to us with severe hives which were aggravated with stress. She has been put on and off on anti-histamines but her work involved court trials and she could not perform well while under medication.
We tested Andrea for food allergies and she was given a rotation diet as well as Ayurvedic herbs according to her constitution. A homeopathic anti-histaminic was also given to use only on an “as needed” basis should the hives appear at inconvenient times (for example in the middle of a trial).

The hives went away within weeks to return only twice in the following year. Andrea, however, realized that the treatments had side benefits she had not expected. Some were physical, such as a new luster to her skin and softer bowel movements. Others were on the emotional realm. She found herself a lot calmer and agreeable. The change was noticed also by her co-workers, many which became our patients afterwards.

Chronic Low Back Pain

Edwin was 71 year old when his wife called our office asking if we could help him. He had been released that morning from the local Hospital and “sent home to die”. He had intractable back pain. He had a series of operations and been (and still was) on numerous medications. Nothing seemed to help.
We saw Edwin three times that first week and twice a week for few weeks afterwards. Initially we used only electro-acupuncture and later on added a program of herbs and minerals. While the first 3 treatments had no effect on the pain level, some other symptoms started to change. He could move a bit easier and was able to eliminate without aids. By the third week, still suffering from the pain but feeling stronger, he started cutting down on his medications, with the approval of his orthopedic doctor.

Edwin’s pain did eventually become totally manageable with natural supplements and one or two treatments a month. A few months after he was sent home from the hospital, he could be seen working in his garden and otherwise enjoying life.

In our patients’ own words:

Sylvia L., Santa Cruz, CA

V. A. , Sacramento, CA

Leoni D., MD, Fairbanks, AK

"Until I saw Dr. Ruth Bar-Shalom for treatment of severe irritable bowel syndrome and other health issues, I had little quality of life.  I had sought help for over 15 years from my family physician and more recently from a specialist (gastroenterologist) and was told that all looked normal; that I probably had an intolerance to a food(s).  I would have to live with the symptoms for the rest of my life.  That response from western medicine prompted me to seek the help from a naturopathic doctor.  After the first two weeks of treatment, I began noticing improvements.  Now, after four months of treatment, I am enjoying quality of life once again!  I am no longer experiencing excessive amounts of hair loss; have clarity of thinking; have energy and muscle strength; regained my libido; have improved quality of sleep; am successfully managing depression; and more.  Instead of treating symptoms, Dr. Ruth has treated the causes of my illness.  I am so indebted to Dr. Ruth for returning quality of life to me.  I regret that I did not seek her help much sooner."

Anita, Santa Cruz        

"I have been an RN for 45 years and have also received training in nutrition. I can't express how impressed I am with the services I received from Dr. Ruth Bar-Shalom. She is extremely intelligent, thorough, kind, and has a wonderful sense of humor, too! I really felt listened to and respected. She gave me hope and made me feel better physically. A wise woman, a real gem!

Nancy F, Santa Cruz, CA

Starting a family became a top priority for my partner and me after an abdominal surgery. My surgeon had to remove one ovary. No problem, I thought, I still have another ovary. But the surgeon also discovered a very bad case of endometriosis. My aunt was unable to conceive due to endometriosis, so I became concerned about my fertility. After trying to conceive for nearly a year without success, I made appointments with both my traditional gynecologist and with Dr. Ruth. She began a series of treatments with me and within six weeks I was pregnant. I remember lying on the table, tears streaming down my face when I shared my news. I called my gynecologist to say our appointment to talk about fertility was no longer needed.

THANK YOU DR. RUTH! I am so grateful for your healing and your wisdom. It is amazing to me how things you said years ago come back to me when I need them."

Kelly, Ann Harbor, MI

“I was first drawn to a Naturopath when I was 23 and actively involved in bicycle touring and racing. I started suffering from frequent sinus infections, and when I became frustrated with my doctor’s constant prescribing of antibiotics, another cyclist recommended that I see Dr. Ruth. Dr. Ruth worked with me on my diet and prescribed herbal supplements to build up my immune system. I was pleased with the results and from that time on, I consulted with Dr. Ruth frequently to maximize my health and enhance my performance as an athlete. A few years later, I felt ready to compete in the Iditasport, a 200- mile race on the Iditarod trail each February. Racers “choose their weapon”—biking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. I chose the bike, but due to warmer-than-usual temperatures, the trail became soft, so I and the other cyclists ended up pushing our bikes for about 60 miles. Many competitors dropped out of the race, including men who were bigger and stronger than myself. I was able to continue, and finished the race in 3rd place (women). I’m not confident that I could have reached this outcome without the years of support Dr. Ruth had given me leading up to the race. “

K.S., Fairbanks, Alaska

"It mattered to me that Dr Bar-Shalom was licensed and had a high level of experience. Then when we met, I felt quite reassured and comforted by who she is as a person. She said, ‘This is going to be a journey for you’ and I knew this was someone I wanted to work with."

D.S.

"I’ve had patients with chronic pain where I simply can’t do much more for them, and they’ve had great results with naturopathic approaches. It can be tremendously helpful”

  Local MD, Santa Cruz, CA

"I had a medical turning point in my life when my MD, who believed in naturopathic medicine, referred me to Dr Ruth Bar-Shalom. My immune system was shot following rectal cancer. Dr Ruth did tests and determined what supplements were best for me. She was also able to cure me of not being able to smell or taste. She and naturopathic medicine taught me about my body and good health.”

Joan. Yuma, AZ

"Several years ago I suffered from tremendous pain in my foot as well as my upper back. Neither orthopedists nor chiropractors were able to help. Another time I suddenly developed allergy symptoms which again did not respond to conventional treatment. In both cases Dr.Bar-Shalom was able to relieve my problems with natural remedies.”

L.D., MD, Fairbanks, AK

I came to your clinic after my wife found some encouraging results with you. Your naturopathic approach helped me get onto my path to healing without drugs: my blood sugar was way out of balance, and now is balanced, for even, sustained energy levels. With the results of detailed analysis, I learned which foods are better and worse for my body's chemistry. The carefully-selected vitamins and minerals help me assimilate the best energy of the foods that I eat. These days, I'm working some long days, biking 60-70 miles per week, plus doing yoga and mountain hikes; sleeping soundly, waking and working cheerfully, which had been elusive goals for a long time. I'm feeling excellent.

R.P., Tucson, AZ

Thank you Dr Ruth for your huge, tremendous, wonderful, invaluable gift of restoring my good feelings about my body and bringing my energy level and enthusiasm for life back to where it used to be.

Sylvia L, Santa Cruz, CA

“Thanks to Dr. Bar-Shalom I have finally learned how to eat what is best for me.  I am no longer burdened by dramatic energy and mood fluctuations and now maintain a constant high-energy level.  Dr. Bar-Shalom's approach has been straight forward yet compassionate.   I am grateful to her for helping me to be able to live life to its fullest.”

                                                        K.M., King City, CA

"Dear Dr Ruth: I want to personally thank you for what you have done for our daughter Toni.  We have our beautiful vibrant girl back.  She is full of laughter and joy.  Our family can't thank you enough for helping bring her back to life".
 
                                                                                     Anna, Santa Cruz, CA

After 3 years of suffering from poor digestion and chronic pain in my lower colon, I have finally found relief and healing thanks to the expertise of Dr. Ruth Bar-Shalom.  With specific changes to my diet, digestive aids, and healing herbs my digestion has normalized, my chronic pain has ceased, and I've been having the best sleep in 3 years. Thank you! 

Daniel P., Santa Cruz, CA