Natural, evidence-informed therapies used alongside your existing medical care, not as a replacement for it.
Dr. Collins explains how integrative care supports patients through conventional treatment.
Integrative medicine combines conventional, evidence-based medical care with natural and complementary therapies, coordinated together rather than treated as competing systems. It is a different emphasis than naturopathic medicine, which is a specific licensed discipline, or functional medicine, which centers on systems-based root-cause testing: integrative care is specifically about how natural and conventional approaches work together for a single patient.
This matters most for patients who are already working with a specialist, an oncologist, an endocrinologist, a cardiologist, and want additional support that is coordinated with that care rather than working against it. Dr. Drew Collins, ND has spent more than 40 years in Bend, Oregon building this kind of integrative approach, using natural therapies to support patients through conventional treatment, manage side effects, and address whatever their existing care is not covering.
Integrative medicine at Proactive Choice is not about choosing natural care instead of your existing doctors. It is about making sure both are working from the same picture of your health.
Natural therapies are used to support your existing medical treatment, not positioned as an alternative to it.
Integrative approaches can help manage side effects and support recovery during demanding treatments like chemotherapy.
Not every complementary therapy has equal evidence behind it, and that distinction is part of the conversation, not glossed over.
IV therapy, ozone therapy, herbal medicine, and clinical nutrition are all available as part of a coordinated plan.
Dr. Collins has worked at the intersection of conventional and natural medicine in Bend for more than 40 years.
Your integrative care plan is built with your full medical picture in mind, not in isolation from your other providers.
A complete review of your current diagnoses, treatments, and medical team so any integrative plan fits with, not against, your existing care.
An integrative plan is built to complement your existing treatment, addressing symptoms and side effects your other care may not cover.
Only therapies with a real evidence basis, or a clear, honest rationale, are recommended as part of your plan.
Your plan is adjusted over time as your treatment and needs evolve.
See how integrative medicine fits within a broader whole-person approach to care.
A common integrative care use case: natural support alongside conventional cancer treatment.
Longer visits and more direct access, which integrative care coordination depends on.
Learn more about Dr. Collins’ background in integrative and naturopathic medicine.
1. What’s the difference between integrative medicine and naturopathic medicine in Bend, Oregon?
Naturopathic medicine is a specific, licensed medical discipline with its own training and scope of practice. Integrative medicine is a broader approach focused specifically on coordinating natural and conventional treatment together for a single patient, and it can be practiced by naturopathic physicians, MDs, and other licensed providers. Dr. Collins, as a licensed naturopathic physician, practices integrative medicine as part of his broader approach at Proactive Choice.
2. Will integrative medicine replace my regular doctor in Central Oregon?
No, and it is not meant to. Integrative medicine is specifically designed to work alongside your existing medical providers and treatment, not instead of them. Dr. Collins’ approach centers on coordinating natural therapies with whatever conventional care you are already receiving, keeping your full medical picture in view.
3. Can integrative medicine help during chemotherapy or other cancer treatment in Bend, OR?
Integrative approaches are commonly used to support patients through conventional cancer treatment, helping manage side effects and support overall resilience during a demanding treatment course. This is meant to complement, not replace, oncology care. Proactive Choice offers supportive cancer therapy specifically built around this kind of coordinated approach.
4. Is every complementary therapy used in integrative medicine actually backed by evidence?
No, and a good integrative provider should be upfront about that distinction rather than treating every natural therapy as equally proven. Dr. Collins takes an evidence-informed approach, using therapies with real clinical support and being direct with patients about where the evidence is more limited. That honesty is part of what makes integrative care trustworthy rather than just an added expense.
5. Does Proactive Choice in Bend accept insurance for integrative medicine visits?
No, the practice is self-pay and does not bill insurance directly, though HSA and FSA funds along with credit cards are accepted. This is the same across all services at the clinic. It is worth confirming current pricing directly before scheduling.
Licensed naturopathic medicine grounded in root-cause diagnostics.
Systems-based, lab-driven root-cause investigation.
Comprehensive testing and treatment for thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones.
PRP, stem cell therapy, prolotherapy, and other tissue-repair treatments.
A doctor for your whole family — personal, unhurried, and genuinely likeable.
Virtual visits are available for patients who can’t easily make it into the Bend office, in addition to in-person appointments.
