At Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins, we understand that choosing a healthcare provider is an important decision. Below you’ll find answers to some of the most common questions about our naturopathic and acupuncture services, what to expect at your visits, and how we work with patients from Colorado and beyond.
If you have specific questions, the best way to get individualized answers is to schedule a complimentary call with one of our providers so we can help you decide what to do next.
What should I expect from my naturopathic or acupuncture visit at the Fort Collins clinic?
A new patient naturopathic visit at our Fort Collins clinic lasts about 60–90 minutes and includes a thorough health intake, indicated physical exam, and clear recommendations for next steps. You’ll leave with a personalized plan designed specifically for your health goals.
An acupuncture session begins with a brief check-in about your symptoms, a short exam, and treatment. You’ll rest comfortably on a treatment table with a heating pad (if desired), in a calm room with soft lighting and relaxing music. After the needles are placed, you’ll rest quietly while your body responds to treatment. A buzzer is always provided so you can alert your provider if needed.
A complimentary consultation is an opportunity to share a brief overview of your current health concerns and goals. This visit does not include medical advice or treatment recommendations, and you don’t need to bring lab work or documentation. It’s simply a chance for you to learn more about our approach and for us to determine if we’re the right fit for your care. Consults can be done by phone, video, or in person.
What should I expect from my Well-Child visit with a Naturopathic Doctor at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine?
What are naturopathic well-child visits?
Naturopathic medicine supports positive, lasting health for children by identifying and removing limiting factors, ensuring proper nutrition, using gentle immune-supportive therapies, and helping reduce the need for medications. When children are healthy and resilient, they’re able to grow to their fullest potential—physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.
Why are well-child visits important?
Children grow and change rapidly. While parents are often the most attuned to their child’s needs, a trained physician can help identify potential concerns related to growth and development early. Well-child visits provide an opportunity to offer guidance, education, and preventive support during each stage of childhood.
What happens during a well-child visit?
During a well-child appointment, Dr. Caron:
•Performs a physical exam
•Discusses your child’s physical, emotional, mental, and social development
•Answers questions and provides guidance for parents
•Supports informed, proactive healthcare decisions
What ages are eligible for well-child visits?
Well-child visits are available for children two years and older.
Does Dr. Caron provide immunizations?
Dr. Caron does not offer immunizations (ND’s are not legally authorized to provide immunizations in Colorado). She provides educational resources to support informed decision-making and can refer families to trusted providers who do offer immunization services.
How do I prepare for my visit?
Preparing for Your Naturopathic Visit:
If you’re scheduled for a new patient naturopathic appointment at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins, please take a few steps to ensure your visit is as productive as possible:
•Have recent lab results available for your doctor to review — either printed or uploaded to your Charm patient portal (our front desk staff can help if needed).
-If your lab results are stored in another portal, make sure you can log in from your device during your visit so we can view them together.
Other providers may fax lab information to 970-449-0574.
•Complete your intake and consent forms at least 48 hours before your appointment.
•Bring any supplements you’re currently taking so we can review them as part of your personalized care plan.
Preparing for Your Acupuncture or Cupping Visit:
For acupuncture and cupping treatments, please wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows access to the areas being treated. Most sessions can be done while fully clothed; however, for cupping therapy, you may be asked to remove your shirt for that portion of treatment.
**For all visits at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine, please be mindful that we often care for environmentally sensitive patients and avoid wearing fragrances in perfumes, colognes, and body products.**
My lab results are “normal,” but I don’t feel well – Can your Naturopathic Doctors order more comprehensive testing?
Most conventional providers can only order the lab work that insurance companies approve based on specific billing codes. This limitation often prevents deeper investigation and makes it difficult to focus on preventative care — two areas that are central to our approach at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine.
Our naturopathic doctors at our Fort Collins clinic are not restricted by insurance requirements and can order comprehensive lab testing to better understand the root causes of your symptoms. This allows us to create a personalized plan to help you restore and maintain long-term health.
In addition to standard blood work, we offer a wide range of functional and specialty lab tests, including:
Comprehensive blood, saliva, and urine hormone panels
Full thyroid panels
Food Intolerance and Sensitivity Panels and sensitivity testing
DUTCH hormone panels
Comprehensive stool / gastrointestinal microbiome panels (used for gut health, dysbiosis, parasites)
Adrenal function testing
Nutrient status testing
Mold and environmental toxin panels
Nutrient status testing (micronutrient panels, vitamin & mineral levels)
Epigenetic testing (to assess gene-expression patterns and guide deeper lifestyle & longevity strategies)
Advanced lipid / cardiovascular risk biomarkers (beyond standard lipid panel)
Our goal is to uncover what’s driving your symptoms so we can guide you toward genuine, lasting wellness — not just manage lab numbers.
What types of lab testing or specialty testing do your Naturopathic Doctors offer?
Our naturopathic doctors offer a wide range of functional and specialty laboratory tests to better understand your health on a deeper level. In addition to standard blood work, we utilize hormone panels, full thyroid panels, comprehensive stool / gastrointestinal microbiome panels (used for gut health, dysbiosis, parasites), Food Intolerance and Sensitivity Panels, adrenal stress panels, nutrient status testing (micronutrient panels, vitamin & mineral levels), epigenetic testing (to assess gene-expression patterns and guide deeper lifestyle & longevity strategies), advanced lipid / cardiovascular risk biomarkers (beyond standard lipid panel), and environmental toxin screenings.
These comprehensive tests help identify imbalances that may be missed in conventional testing, guiding a personalized and effective treatment plan for your specific needs.
Can naturopathic medicine help with hormones, thyroid, or digestion issues?
Yes! Naturopathic medicine can be highly effective for balancing hormones, improving thyroid function, and supporting healthy digestion. AtRocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins, our providers take a root-cause approach, using advanced lab testing, nutrition, and lifestyle therapies to uncover what’s driving your symptoms.
We frequently help patients with conditions such as PMS, perimenopause, hypothyroidism, adrenal imbalance, IBS, bloating, and food sensitivities—creating individualized plans that restore balance and long-term wellness.
How many appointments will I need?
Naturopathic Care:
The number of visits you’ll need depends on your specific health goals and the conditions being addressed. At Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins, we specialize in complex, chronic health concerns that often require time and partnership to resolve. Most patients are seen more frequently at the beginning of care, then visits taper off as health improves and goals are met.
We don’t offer or prepaid packages or require a set number of visits — your care plan is personalized and flexible, based on your progress and needs.
Acupuncture Care:
The frequency of acupuncture treatments varies depending on your condition and response to therapy. Most patients start with weekly sessions for the first month, then transition to biweekly or monthly maintenance as symptoms improve. On average, a complete course of acupuncture involves 6–12 treatments, though some people notice benefits even sooner.
How much do visits cost?
At Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins, we believe in transparent, straightforward pricing for all naturopathic and acupuncture services.
Naturopathic Services:
•15 minute introductory consultation – complimentary
•Initial intake – (Teens & Adults) – $385
-$200 of this is paid upon booking in order to hold your appointment
•Initial Pediatric Intake – (Ages 2-12) – $285-$385
-$200 of this is paid upon booking in order to hold your appointment
-Siblings of Dr. Caron’s pediatric patients are eligible for a discounted rate
•Initial Well Child Visit (Ages 2-17) $250
-$100 of this is paid upon booking in order to hold your appointment
-Siblings of Dr. Caron’s pediatric patients are eligible for a discounted rate
•Follow-up Visits $105-$215
-Length and price vary (15 minutes to 1 hour) based on complexity
Acupuncture and Cupping Services
•Initial Acupuncture Appointment $175 ($75 of this is paid upon booking in order to hold your appointment)
•Acupuncture Follow-ups $95
•Initial Cupping Appointment $60
•Cupping Follow-ups $45
Other Services:
•B12 Injections – $30
Payment for services is due in full at the time of your visit. We do not offer payment plans.
Are there any additional fees I should anticipate?
•Lab fees:
Lab fees are not included in the cost of your visit. Prices vary depending on which tests are needed and where they’re processed.
As a reference, comprehensive blood work panels typically start around $150 — these include standard wellness labs plus additional markers such as nutrient levels, thyroid hormones, inflammation markers, and metabolic indicators.
Our naturopathic doctors offer a range of functional and specialty lab tests to help uncover the root causes of your symptoms. We’ll always discuss testing options and costs with you before ordering.
•Nutritional Supplements:
We often recommend herbs, nutritional supplements, and vitamins as part of a holistic treatment plan. Our clinic carries physician-grade supplements that meet rigorous quality and purity standards, but you are never obligated to purchase them from us.
If you prefer to source supplements elsewhere, we’re happy to suggest reputable local or online retailers. (Please note: we do not recommend purchasing supplements from unregulated marketplaces like Amazon.)
Does insurance cover naturopathic medicine / acupuncture?
Unfortunately, insurance does not cover naturopathic or acupuncture services at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins. In fact, naturopathic medicine is not covered by insurance in the state of Colorado. The current insurance model isn’t structured to support the longer, more comprehensive visits required to provide individualized, high-quality care.
While we do not bill insurance directly, we are happy to provide procedure and diagnostic codes so you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement.
Many of our patients choose to use HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) funds for their visits. Please note that coverage for naturopathic medicine varies by plan, so check with your provider first.
Because insurance does not cover our services or most of our lab testing, we partner with multiple cash-pay laboratories that offer significantly lower prices than typical insurance-based rates. This ensures you have access to comprehensive testing without surprise costs.
Do you offer remote/virtual visits?
Yes! We work with patients from Fort Collins and the surrounding areas — including Loveland, Windsor, and Greeley— as well as from neighboring states like Wyoming (Cheyenne, Laramie) and Nebraska (Scottsbluff, North Platte). We also see patients from across the country through our secure telehealth platform.
Your initial naturopathic appointment must be completed in person at our Fort Collins clinic so we can establish care and perform any necessary physical exams. After that, most naturopathic and functional medicine follow-ups can be done remotely through secure video conferencing or phone appointments, depending on your needs and location.
Please note that acupuncture and cupping treatments are available in person only.
Our goal is to make holistic, naturopathic care accessible wherever you live — combining thoughtful, root-cause medicine with the flexibility of modern telehealth.
Are Naturopathic Doctors (ND’s) primary care doctors?
Although Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are trained as primary care providers, we are not licensed as primary care physicians in the state of Colorado. At Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins, our naturopathic doctors treat many of the same conditions that conventional primary care doctors address, but our focus is on root-cause, preventative, and holistic care.
We strongly encourage every patient to maintain an ongoing relationship with a licensed primary care physician. There may be times when you need prescription medications that we cannot prescribe, or diagnostic imaging that falls outside of our scope of practice. It’s best to have an established relationship with a primary care doctor before those needs arise.
Please note the following scope-related limitations in Colorado:
•Vaccines: We cannot administer vaccines or sign vaccine forms. It is outside our scope of practice to vaccinate children under 18, and none of our providers currently offer adult vaccination. We are happy to provide education and referrals for vaccination if desired.
•Sports Physicals: Dr. Caron can provide sports physicals for younger children if the school or program allows it, but we cannot sign high school sports physical forms.
•Well-Baby Exams: None of our providers perform well-baby exams for children under age 2.
What training and education do Naturopathic Doctors have?
After completing an undergraduate degree, Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) go on to earn a four-year, science-based medical education that includes intensive study in biomedical sciences, clinical diagnostics, and natural therapeutics. Many NDs also complete residency training after earning their doctorate. Their training is comparable in length and depth to that of MDs and DOs, but with additional focus on nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and holistic care.
Learn more about the education and training of Naturopathic Doctors — including a side-by-side comparison with MD curricula here.
Is Naturopathic Medicine the same as Functional Medicine?
The short answer is yes. If you want to delve into the long history of naturopathic medicine, any of our providers would happily nerd out with you on this topic! But, since you’re not here for that…we’ll just say yes. Naturopathic doctors do all the cool things that functional providers do – and then some. Read more about the similarities and differences between Naturopathic and Functional Medicine..
Do you do muscle testing?
No, we do not offer muscle testing or applied kinesiology at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins. Our naturopathic doctors use evidence-based evaluation methods — such as comprehensive health history, physical exams, and laboratory testing — to identify underlying causes of symptoms and create personalized treatment plans.
Do you prescribe medical marijuana?
No, we do not provide medical marijuana evaluations or certifications at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins. This service is outside the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors in Colorado. If appropriate, we can provide referrals to licensed providers who are authorized to complete medical marijuana certifications.
What can acupuncture treat?
Acupuncture can support a wide range of physical and emotional health concerns by restoring balance and promoting the body’s natural healing processes.
At Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins, our licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Sarah Kashdan, commonly treats:
•Pain conditions: headaches, migraines, neck or back pain, joint pain, and injuries
•Hormonal and reproductive symptoms: PMS, menopause, fertility support, and cycle regulation
•Stress and mental health concerns: anxiety, depression, and insomnia
•Digestive and immune issues: bloating, IBS, allergies, and sinus congestion
Acupuncture is a safe, natural, and holistic therapy that can be customized for your specific needs — whether you’re managing chronic pain, balancing hormones, or simply looking to improve overall wellbeing.
Does acupuncture hurt?
Acupuncture should not be painful. Most patients describe the sensation as a brief, mild pinprick or a dull ache that quickly fades once the needle is in place. At Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins, our licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Sarah Kashdan, takes great care to ensure that each treatment is gentle and comfortable.
You’ll be informed about any acupuncture points that may create a stronger sensation, and adjustments can always be made to keep you relaxed throughout your session. Many patients even find acupuncture deeply calming and restorative.
Can acupuncture be done without needles?
Yes — there are gentle, needle-free acupuncture techniques for patients who prefer not to have needles. At Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine in Fort Collins, our licensed acupuncturist, Dr. Sarah Kashdan, offers several gentle approaches such as cupping, acupressure and bodywork, ear seeds, and moxibustion—a soothing therapy that uses the warmth of a specific herb over acupuncture points.
These techniques help improve circulation, calm the nervous system, and support healing, allowing you to experience the benefits of acupuncture without needles in a relaxing and comfortable way.
Do you accept new patients at Rocky Mountain Natural Medicine?
Yes, we are currently accepting new patients!
We welcome individuals and families from Fort Collins and the surrounding areas—including Loveland, Windsor, Greeley, Cheyenne, Laramie, and Scottsbluff—who are seeking a more personalized, holistic approach to healthcare.
New patients can schedule an initial naturopathic or acupuncture appointment online or by calling our office. Our friendly team will guide you through the intake process and help you get started on your path to better health.
If you have more specific questions, please schedule a complimentary call with 1 of our providers so we can help you gain clarity about what to do next.