What is expected of me?
A healthy interest in your wellbeing and the desire to get better. Dr. Miller understands that issues with our body can make us feel like we will never get better, even that there is no hope. Dawning Light provides a positive and supportive environment based on the maxim that as we get better within, the way we experience the world changes without. Therefore, all we ask at the beginning is that you have a willingness to complete recommended visits and carry out home care plans. In all aspects of your care, we strive for clear communication so that a complete circle of care is created, working together as a team to achieve your healthcare goals.
What is the progression of steps as I start at Dawning Light?
Initial Intake- Averaging 1 hour in length, Dr. Miller takes a thorough history of your whole story and clarifies your health care goals. Dr. Miller determines any lab work that may be needed, discusses your therapeutic options and estimates number of hours/office visits to achieve your desired health outcomes.
Cranial Nerve Analysis-Averaging 45 minutes, this analysis establishes a functional baseline and guides activities in future sessions while allowing for comparison to foundational data as we progress.
In-office Sessions- Duration is between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on current needs. Includes 15 minute check-in from previous visit to track progress and answer any questions. Therapeutic modalities are explained and can include neuroplasticity exercises, sound therapy, color therapy, light therapy, magnet therapy, botanical medicine, homeopathy, aromatherapy and supplements.
At-home care plan-Dr. Miller prescribes an at-home care regime designed specifically for you. Plan can include breathing exercises, food and drink considerations, lifestyle modifications, exercise, supplements, aromatherapy stick, Epsom salt essential oil bath, dry brushing, botanical medicine and homeopathy.
What can I expect at my Initial Intake?
The Initial Intake is 1 hour in length and consists of taking a thorough history as well as clarifying your goals and therapeutic options. At Dawning Light, we know that you need to feel heard, understood and respected in order to fully participate in your healing process. A thorough history is essential to determine any information that may have been overlooked in the past, giving us clues to the roots of your concerns and presenting possible avenues for therapy. At this appointment, therapeutic methods and options are presented while labs and imaging are discussed. Dr. Miller answers any questions you may have about your health and the healing process.
What happens during the treatment sessions?
Treatment sessions consist of manual muscle testing and gentle restorative body care to integrate body systems. Various herbal tinctures, flower essences, trace minerals, gem elixirs, aromatherapy spray and/or homeopathic medicines are used to balance the immune, neurological, endocrine and metabolic systems.
What is manual muscle testing?
Manual muscle testing is a non-invasive form of evaluating body function through the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system and its relationship to the nervous system as whole. The roots of manual muscle testing began with Drs. Florence P. Kendall MD and Henry O. Kendall MD in the mid-twentieth century and expanded upon by Dr. George Goodheart DC and pioneered by Applied Kinesiology practitioners to the present day.
What is Applied Kinesiology?
Applied Kinesiology (AK) is a system that evaluates structural, chemical and mental aspects of health using manual muscle testing combined with other standard methods of diagnosis. AK, a non-invasive system of evaluating body function that is unique in the healing arts, has become a dynamic movement in health care in its relatively short existence.
The combined terms “applied” and “kinesiology” describe the basis of this system, which is the use of manual muscle testing to evaluate body function through the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system. Treatments may involve gentle body care, cranial techniques, meridian and acupressure skills, clinical nutrition, dietary management, counseling skills, evaluating environmental irritants and various reflex procedures.
These skills are refined from many disciplines including Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Medicine, Dentistry, Acupuncture, Biochemistry, Psychology, Homeopathy, and Naturopathy etc. Members of these professions share knowledge through the publications and conferences of the International College of Applied Kinesiology (ICAK) and its chapters. (Courtesy of https://www.icakusa.com/what-is-ak)
What is functional neurology?
Functional neurology is the discipline that evaluates brain function through a comprehensive neurological examination and identifies strategies that can be used to improve brain function. The use of brain exercises, inputs to our sensory system, nutrition, along with any necessary medications are used to support nervous system recovery. (Courtesy of https://functionalneurologyseminars.com/functional-neurology-seminars/)
What is autoimmunity?
Autoimmunity is the condition where the immune system attacks our own body, instead of just attacking microorganisms that invade our body. In order for the immune system to effectively defend our body, it must be able to distinguish between self and non-self. This is achieved by our surveillance immune system attaining protein code fragments called antigens and presenting them to other immune cells to destroy the invading microorganisms. However, when our body is continually attacked by outside sources, including food and environmental allergies and toxins, the immune system can become confused and attack the proteins in our body that resemble these foreign particles. At this point, our body becomes a victim of its own powerful defenses and chronic states of autoimmunity with continual inflammation and damage can persist.
Are labs and imaging used as a part of my treatment?
Dr. Miller orders labs and imaging when appropriate. Dr. Miller uses specific tests to determine if you have issues with your gastrointestinal system, immune system, hematologic system, urinary and/or reproductive system. He also orders labs to determine if you have food sensitivities, metabolic issues and nutrient deficiencies as well as genetic concerns such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP's). With your permission, he will review your recent labs and imaging from other health care providers as a member of your health care team. Dr. Miller may suggest labs through your primary care provider.
What is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND)?
A Naturopathic Doctor has graduated from a medical school that is accredited by a regional accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education and passed licensing examinations. Accredited Naturopathic medical schools are four-year, in-residence, hands-on medical programs consisting of a minimum of 4,100 hours of class and clinical training. Classes consist of the biomedical sciences (including biochemistry, pathology, anatomy and physiology, and genetics) as well as Neurology, Cardiology, Pulmonology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Gynecology, Urology, Otolaryngology, Dermatology, Psychology, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Physical Medicine, Minor Surgery, Nutrition, Botanical Medicine, Acupuncture and Homeopathy. During the final two years of medical school, naturopathic medical students intern in clinical settings under the close supervision of licensed professionals. Naturopathic Doctors have also passed the rigorous Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX I and II). NPLEX I questions focus on the biomedical sciences and NPLEX II questions focus on diagnosis, interpreting lab and imaging results and administering treatments, including pharmaceutical and plant-based medicines. Depending on the scope of practice, some states also require NDs to pass additional clinical exams in areas such as acupuncture, minor surgery and pharmacology.
Are Naturopathic Doctors licensed in Ohio?
Ohio is currently a pre-licensed state for NDs, though bills (H.B. 264, H.B. 562) have been introduced and are awaiting legislation. NDs are currently licensed in 26 US jurisdictions, including 23 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands as well as 5 Canadian provinces. Many other states have bills that have been introduced and are also awaiting legislation. Please visit https://aanmc.org/licensure/ for more information about ND licensure by state and province.
Is Dr. Miller a licensed Naturopathic Physician?
Yes, Dr. Miller is a board-certified Naturopathic Physician licensed in the state of Vermont, with additional board certifications in Pharmacology and Minor Surgery. Dr. Miller has been trained to be a naturopathic primary care physician; however, the state of Ohio does not yet license naturopathic doctors. Therefore, he is not able to serve as a primary care doctor in this state. He does not perform surgery, draw blood, prescribe medications, or diagnose conditions.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Dawning Light accepts cash, check, debit, and all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express) as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. We do not accept insurance at this time.
How do I make an appointment?
Click on the "Schedule An Appointment" option from the dropdown menu on your device. You will see a ChARM EHR calendar with options for appointment types, please select the appropriate appointment type (Ex:IN-PERSON Initial Intake (60 Min), TELEMEDICINE Initial Intake (60 Min) or FREE 15 minute Discovery Session for New Patients) and a time and date that is convenient for you. When you select an appointment day and time, you will be prompted for basic personal information to create your ChARM account, including your name, birthdate, email, phone number and reason for visit. You will be sent an appointment confirmation email as well as reminders about your appointment 48 hours in advance. All future appointments are made the very same way, you can schedule them together and Dr. Miller will inform which ones to select depending on your healing plan (ie Initial Intake, 60 or 90 Minute Treatment Sessions).
****ChARM EHR is an online web based, meaningful use certified, HIPAA compliant electronic medical records system that allows for in-person and telemedicine visits. Your ChARM patient account enables you to securely access and manage your health information from the patient portal. Your ChARM account has important information about your appointments and treatment plan. You can also send messages to Dr. Miller and receive messages essential to your care. To access your ChARM patient portal, select the "Click Here for Patient Portal" button on the bottom of the "Schedule An Appointment" page.
Once an appointment has been scheduled and your Charm patient account created, an Intake Questionnaire and Consent Form are sent to your email that must be completed and signed before your first visit.
How do I cancel my appointment?
Cancelations are permitted up to 24 hours before the scheduled appointment time, which gives us sufficient time to find a replacement for your time slot. Simply go to your patient portal on ChARM (Link on Home Page) and cancel your appointment. Because last minute cancellations of scheduled appointments are difficult to fill and costly, appointments missed or cancelled in less than 24 hours prior to the scheduled time will incur the full appointment fee. An automatic reminder of your upcoming appointment will be generated 48 hours before your appointment time.
Where is your office located?
Dawning Light is located on the 2nd floor above Still Point Gallery. Our office is Suite # 9 at the top of the stairway, ou can't miss our Dawning Light Health and Wellness logo! When you arrive for your appointment, there is a waiting room where you can pour yourself a cup of fresh spring water or tea. If the door to the treatment room is closed, please don't enter as treatment may still be in session. The treatment room is cleaned following each visit, linen is changed and all surfaces contacted are sprayed and wiped down. Therefore, feel free to read a book or relax until we greet you!
Where can I find parking?
There is metered street parking located on Cedar Rd. in front of the Heights Center Building and along the side streets. There are also free parking lots behind the old Dave's Market and Firestone Tires. PLEASE NOTE: The parking structure located in the back of the Heights Center Building in now closed for renovation.
Are herbs safe?
Botanical medicines are widely considered to be of lower risk compared with synthetic drugs, though they are not completely free from the possibility of toxicity, adulteration or adverse effects when interacting with certain pharmaceutical drugs. These possible drug interactions are always taken into account and Dawning Light uses only the highest-quality, organic herbs at small concentrations to allow for the safest application of these products.
Is homeopathy safe?
Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic, highly-dilute substances that are safe for all ages.
Are essential oils safe?
Essential oils are considered safe in almost all instances, though they have been known to cause reactions in sensitive individuals when inhaled, used topically or internally. Dawning Light utilizes essential oils for aromatherapy in a well-ventilated space.