Bastyr Center for Natural Health

I went here the other day for a blood draw, and I couldn't have imagined it turning out worse. The girl who did my draw was extremely incompetent and rude and had horrific bed-side manner. I let her know I was nervous, and asked her to use a butterfly needle. She then proceeded to puncture my vein multiple times (even though it was literally bulging out of my arm), which was very painful. It felt like she was giving me a tattoo. When she took the needle out, she pushed on my arm much harder than was necessary, all of which resulted in the worse bruise I've ever had, and I am someone who almost never bruises. A week later, it is still black and green and throbbing. My cat could have done a better job than these people. I will never go to this place again, needless to say!

Cons: very low quality work...not worth what you might save

Posted 11/12/09

When I was a student at the UW, this was a great spot to drop in a get affordable acupuncture, naturopathic care, phys med, etc. I appreciate the time the clinicians took with me (1 hr per appt!) and their attention to get to the underlying cause of the health concerns I presented to them.

Pros: sliding scale rates, student drop in price of just $20!

Cons: Student clinicians change shifts every quarter

Posted 11/04/09

I am so grateful for my accidental introduction to Bastyr Center. I had heard about natural medicine but wasn't sure it was for me. Three years ago I started going to Bastyr Center on a whim for this chronic health issue that I couldn't resolve with my traditional doctors. The NDs did extensive testing and were finally able to diagnose me! Not only that they were able to provide me a natural remedy to treat the cause of the illness (versus reducing symptoms). At first I was dubious that an herb could cure me, but it worked!

Now three years later, I continue to see the NDs at Bastyr Center and we continue to push for my optimal health. I am the healthiest I think I have ever been. I lost 50 pounds, I have energy and drive again, and feel great! Who new you could actually feel better later on in life? I have been able to make some substantial life changes as a result of my new health and I am pursuing personal challenges I thought were once insurmountable.

I really recommend trying it out. They are great at long-term health improvements.

Pros: A cure!

Cons: Long appointment times

Posted 07/16/09

Don't bother unless you'd like to consult with students who don't even know the basics of detox protocols ala Linda Page. Her writings are standard, and are even used as texts in some schools. Your Bastyr trainees won't have a clue.

It's not just students who are incompetent and poorly trained. I recommended a Bastyr faculty ND to a friend who was struggling with illness. The ND fired her as a patient and implied she was mentally ill. My friend later met with a non-Bastyr nutritionist who made a diagnosis that should have been easy for the ND: Crohn's Disease. The diagnosis was correct. My friend is well, and I will never recommend Bastyr again. Not only incompetent, but dangerous to your health.

After Northwest Institute of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine in Fremont was forced to close, many of their faculty and students moved to Bastyr. This is why the Bastyr Acupuncture and OM clinic suddenly became competent. in 2002. Before that, you might have ended up like me, booking an appointment with two studens trying to decide who gets to put the needles in.

Pros: Acupuncture Clinic is good

Cons: Incompetent faculty and students

Posted 03/16/09

It took 3 phone calls to get an appointment scheduled at this place. After arriving 12 minutes early for my appointment with completed paperwork in-hand, I followed all the signs and still couldn't find where I was supposed to check in. 14 minutes of wandering around the building, and 3 minutes on the phone listening to their recorded "we can't help you right now" messages was unhelpful as well. I couldn't find anyone who could assist me until about 5 minutes after my appointment was supposed to have started. By then, I had determined that any medical "help" this place had to offer was probably misleading and highly suspect, as well.

Pros: Parking garage

Cons: unhelpful signage, unhelpful staff

Posted 06/09/08

I had no experience with naturopathic medicine before Bastyr. I didn't buy into natural health before my first visit, but after being prescribed antibiotics for eight years for sinus infections by my traditional doctors and remaining perpetually sick, I needed a change. I've never felt like someone has tried to understand me or my health in a complete way like Bastyr. I'm working with these two student clinicians that remember my lifestyle and are passionate about my health. I thought the whole staff was compassionate and empathetic. And I've honestly never felt better.
If you've been disappointed with traditional medicine, seriously consider Bastyr. My insurance completely covered my visit and now they're my primary doctor. So great to have a doctor I feel proud of!

Pros: Effective, Prevention-based, Inexpensive, Friendly, Fits my Green/Natural lifestyle/ethos

Cons: I'll let you know if I find something.

Posted 06/23/07

The clinic itself offer a very good care to the patient. However, I am very disapoointed with the laboratory technician. It's very unprofessional. They sent me home because the technician doesn't know how to work with small veins. I think she should be prepare for any condition of patient. Should be more careful with hiring people!

Cons: Poor Lab Technician, Need trained lab tech

Posted 02/04/06