Naturopathic Care Yields Results
at Body Positive

Body Positive, an HIV and AIDS Research and Resource Center, is a unique community-based non-profit organization in Phoenix. Body Positive was organized to address the needs of the HIV positive, and in 2004 served more than 1,700 men, women and children infected with HIV and AIDS. By offering prevention education, behavioral health support and medical treatment onsite, as well as being a strong voice outreaching to the community, Body Positive strives towards its vision to “reduce infection, improve quality of life and contribute to worldwide research.”

Through both patient services and clinical trial programs, Body Positive strives to be a leader in the fight against these diseases. Education services include HIV and AIDS related classes and seminars intended to empower those affected with knowledge. Under the wellness program, clients can take advantage of nutritional counseling, alternative and complementary therapy, and a vitamin and herb shop. Behavioral health and prevention services focus on education and counseling and may include support groups or safe-sex training. Through all of these programs, Body Positive’s primary goal is to be a constructive organization for those with HIV and AIDS.

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) supports the important work of Body Positive by providing Naturopathic medical care at the organization’s site in Phoenix. Body Positive has been afforded the presence of physicians and students from SCNM to assist in providing care to the hundreds of individuals who seek help. The support role of the Naturopathic doctors who work at Body Positive is invaluable to the overall mission of the organization, and the learning opportunity provided to the clinical students working at Body Positive is a very important part of medical education.

SCNM physician Dr. Jami Kupperman, who began working at Body Positive in 2006, explained, “There are no allopathic medical services offered at Body Positive, but all of the NDs’ patients must be under the care of a primary care provider (PCP), who then refers them to us for Naturopathic care.” Since Body Positive believes in whole-body care, like the tenets of Naturopathic Medicine, the presence of the NDs helps the organization to achieve an important aspect of the mission. “Patients have access to truly integrative, comprehensive care--a model which is seen in few, if any, HIV communities,” said Dr. Kupperman of the integrative approach employed at Body Positive.

Alternative and complementary medicine has been proven effective in treating symptoms of HIV and AIDS. Natural treatments have helped with side effects associated with medication, improved quality of life and helped to increase the effectiveness of some drugs. SCNM clinical student DeAnna Woeller worked with a Hepatitis C patient at Body Positive, providing IV therapy and acupuncture to ease his swollen liver, and said she witnessed his transformation “from looking like he had a shoebox under his ribs to normal.” Visible results such as these may not be the norm, but results are observable in many other ways. “Naturopathic medicine is extremely well-received in the HIV community in Arizona, as evidenced by the fact that all four of our NDs are booked to capacity,” said Dr. Kupperman, “In fact, new patients often tell me ‘if I had known how good I would feel after this visit, I would have come in sooner!’” At Body Positive, wellness means treating the whole person. The therapies offered by the NDs work with the traditional treatments, with the goal being to help the patient maintain as healthy a body and mind as possible.

Students who have worked at Body Positive also appreciate the style of care. “You’d think it would be dark and depressing, but its not,” said Woeller, “I always learn something new…. The way the docs interact with their patients is how I want to model my practice. They are so caring and giving.” Though she admits every day is a challenge in one way or another, Woeller deeply respects the patients, “These patients face a life-threatening disease and take charge,” she said.

Dr. Kupperman agrees with Woeller’s attitude and enjoys her time at Body Positive. “Body Positive is an incredibly rewarding place to work. The staff is genuinely warm, supportive and friendly, both with each other and with the clients, and provides a strong support system for the overall health of the patients. The two most rewarding aspects of working here are the support and camaraderie of the other Naturopathic physicians, and of course, the tangible impact of our services on our patients’ lives.”