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How I came to Naturopathic Medicine – this is my story…

How I came to Naturopathic Medicine – this is my story…

I’ve had several requests to share how I came to naturopathic medicine.  Here’s my story of how I became a naturopathic doctor in Missoula, MT.

My journey into medicine began in undergraduate school at Gonzaga University where I finished my bachelor’s degree with a double major in visual arts and biology.  Originally I planned to become a medical illustrator but soon realized that a career in a cadaver lab was much too isolating.   Because my biology degree closely mirrored the premedical curriculum, I started thinking about attending medical school to pursue a field where I could help and heal others.  Taking some time off of school, I moved to Nashville after graduation to participate in an AmeriCorps program in a low-income health clinic.

In 2005 my family and I had our lives dramatically changed when my father had a major stroke.  After weeks of hospitalization and months of physical therapy, his insurance stopped paying for rehabilitation.  At this point my parents turned to several alternative therapies, including acupuncture, warm-water physical therapy and Feldenkrais.  It was their encouragement that led me to check out the naturopathic medicine program at Bastyr.  My eyes were opened to a completely new type of medicine – a natural, holistic and truly patient-centered model of practice.

At the same time it was becoming apparent that I had my own health issues that were getting progressively worse.  After multiple rounds of imaging and medication trials to find the cause of my stomach pain, I was finally diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and was told by my medical doctor that there was nothing more I could do.  Being a motivated patient, I searched for answers on my own, and learned of the link between food sensitivities and IBS.  After my doctor refused to do the testing I called the Bastyr Center for Natural Health, and the year before I began the ND program I had my first experience as a naturopathic patient.  I learned that I had multiple food sensitivities, including gluten, soy and dairy.  Eliminating these foods from my diet, in addition to other naturopathic therapies, changed my health and changed my life.  I am happy to report that I am now 99% symptom-free, and my health continues to improve year after year.

In 2012 I graduated from Bastyr University with a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine.  The same summer I moved to Missoula with my husband and young daughter Annika. I founded Montana Whole Health, a naturopathic medical practice that specializes in improving the health of families in the Missoula valley.

I am incredibly blessed to be a physician, a counselor and a healer, and I am honored to be a part of the lives of patients as they are transformed.  The human body continues to amaze me as I see naturopathic medicine dramatically change health.

I look forward to working with you and your family so you may experience the joy of continually improving health.

In Health,

Dr. Erika Krumbeck

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Erika Krumbeck

Erika Krumbeck, ND is founder of NaturopathicPediatrics.com and the owner of Montana Whole Health, a naturopathic clinic in Missoula, Montana. She received her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University and is a licensed physician in the state of Montana. Dr. Krumbeck is one of few physicians specializing in the treatment of chronic health conditions in children. 

Dr. Krumbeck likes to practice her own healthy lifestyle with her wonderful husband Jason, a physical therapist, and their children Annika and Leopold. 

She is a professional member of the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

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