Northern Centre for Integrative Medicine - Cher Boomhower, ND

I received my Bachelor of Science (biology concentration in human genetics) with distinction from the University of Victoria in 1998.  I was a very typical premed student and was completely unexposed to any alternative medicine.  I wanted to be a medical geneticist.  During my co-op program I had the opportunity to do work experience with a medical geneticist at Victoria General hospital, and this is where I became disillusioned with my dream.  I learned that although there is excitement and brilliance in the field of genetics, there are almost no clinical treatments available for patients. 

I promptly had a career crisis, fell into depression, realizing I had 'wasted' 6 years getting my degree, and one day wandered into a health food store looking for some alternative to using prescription antidepressants.  At the time I also suffered from chronic bronchitis, and had abysmal knowledge of nutrition.  It was there I was introduced to my first Naturopathic Doctor (at whom I looked with much scepticism) and thought to myself "You can do this for a LIVING?"  As I had two co-op work terms remaining in my degree, I talked to co-op director into letting me do full time research for two local Naturopathic doctors for 8 months in Victoria.  This was very enlightening- what I was able to do in these 8 months was to critically look at what being an ND meant, what treatment tools were available, and what the quality of information was that ND relied on to make clinical decisions.

So I was very excited when I went on to complete my 4 year Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto. I have learned something every day in the last 10 years of practice since graduating.  This is a tremendously exciting field.

I am now a mother of two and married to another Naturopathic Doctor.  I have maintained a general practice in Prince George since 2002 and was also serving as adjunct faculty at the University of Northern British Columbia in the Faculty of Medicine. This means I got to introduce conventional medical students to the field of Naturopathic Medicine so that by the time they graduate, the field is hopefully somewhat demystified to them.  It is my intention to open the lines of communication between conventional medical doctors and Naturopathic doctors.  At the end of the day, the needs of the patient are the primary concern.

I have several interests in particular, for example, given my own history, in the treatment of anxiety, fatigue, depression and addictions, using orthomolecular treatments (see www.orthomolecular.org), Natural Hormones and intravenous amino acids.  I also do a lot of work in women's and children's health.  

I have recently completed an extensive course on Environmental Medicine with Walter Crinnion, ND, one of my long time mentors,  and am now more able to talk to patients in an intelligent way about how to keep toxic material out of their bodies both in general and specifically.  I am also a colon hydrotherapist and offer colon hydrotherapy as a primary treatment tool for treatment of chemical sensitivity and autoimmune conditions, where it is a treatment tool second to none.

I have taken training with the Autism Research Institute (see www.autism.com), and although I am by no means an expert, I enjoy participating with parents in the treatment of children on the autism spectrum from the 'Biomedical' perspective.  I have two children (not autistic, but they have their typical school years challenges) and through them I have learned a great deal about having healthy kids.

I also have advanced training in Bowen Technique for various pain conditions-(see www.bowtech.com), which is a fantastic tool for chronic muscle and joint pain that helps, for example, to maintain chiropractic adjustments and treat stubborn back and neck pain...drug free!

I look forward to meeting you if you need me!

Outside of Prince George call toll-free: 1-866-623-6486

www.NCIM.ca

Online bookin available: https://ncim.janeapp.com/