Archive for category: Consultations

A personal consultation with me will help you achieve your health goals, specifically to build bone strength and to maximize overall health. Virtually anyone in any part of the world can work with me to develop their own plan in either a face-to-face consultation in East Syracuse, NY, or from a distance over the phone or with Skype.

During your consult, I will help you sort fact from fiction regarding your bone health. We will explore many questions including:

• What is the pattern of your bone loss? Is it “normal” or “excessive”?
• What is your true current bone status? To what degree are you now losing bone, or was this loss in the past?
• What is your real fracture risk at this time in your life?
• What could be the causes of excessive bone loss or bone weakening?
• Are there hidden causes of bone weakening? Do you need to ask your doctor for additional tests to identify possible hidden causes of bone loss?
• The pros and cons of bone drugs—Is an osteoporosis drug appropriate for you?
• What are your long term health goals?
• What is keeping you from moving towards your goals?

I employ three important steps to create a program that’s right for you.

First, I will strive to understand and assess your individual situation.

Second, I will guide you on a search for your own causes for bone loss.

Third, with all this information in hand, I will develop your individualized comprehensive 10-step Better Bones, Better Body® Program.

We will cover every issue important to your bone health — The Alkaline for Life® diet, your ideal nutritional supplement program, detoxification and digestion issues, individualized bone-building exercises, stress reduction and emotional well being, and even integration of pharmaceutical bone therapies when appropriate.

To set up an appointment, call the Center for Better Bones at 1-888-206-7119. Consults are available over the phone or in person at the Center located in East Syracuse, NY. You can also complete our information request form and someone from my office will get back to you within three business days.

Learn more about my personal consultation services:

• Consultation Types and Fees
• My Approach
• Topics Covered in New Client Appointment
• Make an Appointment
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Client Testimonials
• Success Stories
• Directions

Dr. Brown offers various types of consultations both in person and via the telephone or Skype. For telephone consultations in the U.S., Dr. Brown will initiate the call. International clients are asked to initiate the telephone call for their appointment.

Comprehensive new client appointment

This is the initial evaluation and program development appointment for new clients.

In this consultation, Dr. Brown will review your health records, including bone density measurements, blood chemistries, hormone tests, bone resorption studies, etc. She will discuss your general health history and specific bone health history. She will also ask about your family’s general and bone health history. Dr. Brown will review your past and current diet, food preferences, supplement and medication use, exercise patterns, lifestyle, and current situation. After this, she will develop a personalized bone-building program suited to your individual needs and preferences.

In preparation for this initial appointment, you are asked to fill out a series of new client intake forms. These include a three-day diet record, two symptom survey forms, including an osteoporosis risk assessment, and a nutrition detective questionnaire. You are also asked to make a comprehensive list of nutrients, herbs, and medications that you currently use, and to list your primary health concerns and health goals.

Clients are asked to fax or mail the intake forms along with all bone density tests, any tests for bone resorption they might have, and any relevant blood tests and/or laboratory tests.

Length of appointment: 60 minutes Fee: $208.00

Established client follow-up appointment

Once you have your individualized Better Bones, Better Body® Program, you have the option of scheduling follow-up appointments with Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD, to help you fully develop, implement, assess, and adjust your bone-strengthening program.

The follow-up appointments can either be of a comprehensive or an abbreviated nature, depending on your needs and desires. The comprehensive appointment is 55 minutes long and the abbreviated appointment is 25 minutes long.

Comprehensive follow-up appointment: 55 minutes Fee: $168.00

Half-hour follow-up appointment: 25-30 minutes Fee: $95.00

Question-and-answer sessions

These appointments serve as open question-and-answer periods for established clients and for other individuals with bone health concerns. Question-and-answer appointments can be made for 15 minutes.

Length of appointment: 15 minutes Fee: $50.00

Payment

Most insurance companies do NOT reimburse for nutritional consultations, so insurance is not accepted. Do ask your insurance company what their policy is on this matter. Some companies will pay if you have a request from a physician. You would then need to pay for the consultation at the time of service, send the invoice to your insurance company, and be reimbursed by them directly.

• Payment is due at the time of service. Payment may be in the form of check, credit or debit card (MC or Visa), or cash for in-office clients. For telephone consultations, the new client’s credit card information is collected at the time the appointment is made. Charges to the credit card are made only after the consultation has been completed.
• Dr. Brown’s staff can answer any questions you might have about appointments and services. Feel free to call with any questions at 1-888-206-7119 (toll-free in the US) or 1-315-437-9384.

Learn more about my Personal Consultation services:

• My Approach
• How I Can Help You
• Topics Covered in New Client Appointment
• Make an Appointment
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Client Testimonials
• Success Stories
• Directions

What if I live far away?

Distance is no limitation. Dr. Brown conducts telephone consultations with people all over the world. Simply call our office at 1-888-206-7119 (toll free within the U.S.) or 1-315-437-9384 to set up a telephone appointment.

Will my insurance pay for my consultation with Dr. Brown?

It is the client’s responsibility to check with their insurance company to see if nutrition consultations are covered by their insurance. Payment from you is expected at the time of the service and we will send you a receipt for services rendered. You can send this receipt to your insurance company should you want to seek reimbursement.

How do I pay for my consultation?

Payment is due at the time of the consultation by cash, check, Visa or Mastercard. Payment for telephone consultations can be made in advance by check or at the time of the appointment with one of the above credit or debit cards.

Do I need to provide my medical records to Dr. Brown?

It is always advisable to provide Dr. Brown with as much pertinent information about your health concerns as possible. It is especially important for Dr. Brown to have DEXA bone density information available when doing an osteoporosis appointment and evaluation. For those doing telephone appointments, information can be mailed in advance of the appointment or faxed to our office at (315) 432-9231.

What if I have to cancel or postpone my appointment?

If it is necessary for you to cancel or postpone your appointment, we request that you do so at least 48 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. We have an answering machine available to receive messages 24 hours a day. You may be charged a $50 fee if you do not notify us 48 hours prior to any change or cancellation.

Will I receive any written notes from my appointment with Dr. Brown?

Yes, Dr. Brown provides typewritten recommendations with each appointment.

How long does it take to get an appointment?

Dr. Brown offers appointments Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Some evening appointments are available and special times can be arranged for distant time zones. We suggest you call at least one to two weeks in advance of when you would like your appointment.

Can I start with a half-hour appointment instead of a full hour appointment?

Dr. Brown suggests the full hour appointment for new clients so major issues can be addressed and an individualized program can be put in place. A shorter initial appointment is possible, but does not allow for full evaluation and program development.

Follow-up appointments, at the client’s discretion, can be for one hour or one-half hour; or, for established clients with brief questions, 15-minute telephone appointments are also available.

Learn more about my Personal Consultation services:

• Consultation Types and Fees
• My Approach
• How I Can Help You
• Topics Covered in New Client Appointment
• Make an Appointment
• Client Testimonials
• Success Stories
• Directions

For more than two decades, I have helped thousands of individuals improve their well-being through her personalized nutrition consultations, my publications, and my lectures.

Her are some testimonials from real women and men, just like you, who have used my personal consultation services, read my books, or listened to my presentations to restore their bones and maximize their health.

I consulted with Dr. Brown a few years ago about her program and followed her recommendations; changed my diet to get my pH levels where they should be, eliminating foods that drained minerals, took proper nutrients, minerals, supplements, raised my Vit D levels, exercise (mine was gardening and other heavier outdoor work) etc.

After 5 years I had another DEXA and the results were great.
My T-score for my spine had been -3.1 and this time it measured -0.8
My T-score for my femur had been -2.6 and this time it measured -1.3

I’m no longer (suffering from) osteoporosis but osteopenia and look forward to being in the normal range in the future!

---

“After less than a year on Dr. Brown’s recommended supplements, I just got back the results of my second DEXA. I no longer have osteoporosis (now osteopenia)! The doctors cannot believe it. Truth be told, I really didn’t do much strength training or weight-bearing exercise. Fosamax be damned. I couldn’t be more pleased. Many, many thanks.”
P.S., Fairfield, CT

---

“I participated in one of Dr. Brown’s studies and really enjoyed meeting the other women with osteoporosis. I really appreciated the additional information Dr. Brown gave us on nutrition and bone health. As a special bonus during this one-year study, I gained 5.1% bone mineral in my hip and 2.9% in my spine.”
M.E.S., Syracuse, NY

---

“I was very encouraged with Dr. Brown’s nutritional expertise. She helped me to fine-tune my already good eating plan and she helped me develop an excellent vitamin and mineral program. My blood test revealed a particular need for extra vitamin D, and I am delighted to report that now my vitamin D levels are only two points from the level we set as our goal for my particular situation. With Susan I found hope at last. Her compassion and expertise in treating my condition is like no other. Her approach is unique in that she considers my physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs all together.”
N.W., Ithaca, NY

---

“After participating in the Better Bones Program for three years, my bone density increased to 1.166, about a 10% improvement.

“I am able to continue a fitness program and my scoliosis improved with physical therapy and nutrients.

“Thank you, Susan Brown, for all your help.”
A.F., Fayetteville, NY

---

“I discovered my very evident and irritating symptoms of premenstrual syndrome greatly, if not totally, disappeared along with my digestive abnormalities. After beginning my program, I experienced a great symptom-free month.”
D.P., Phoenix, NY

---

“About five years ago, I noticed a book in a health food store’s window entitled Better Bones, Better Body by Dr. Susan Brown. I have osteoporosis, so I purchased the book.

“I was impressed by Dr. Brown’s years of study and documentation. She had literally traveled the world to see how women in other cultures dealt with osteoporosis. Her findings moved her to write the book.

“At my first appointment with her, I was impressed with her friendliness and personal interest in me as a patient.

“She planned a detailed program for me. One of her firm points was that I must exercise. I knew I could not exercise due to fear of fracturing more vertebrae! Dr. Brown’s confident manner that I could — and must — exercise finally convinced me to try. She referred me to a physical therapist (who she knew would be careful with me), and I joined a fitness center. To my amazement, instead of hurting my back, it became stronger!

“Dr. Brown also planned a diet/supplement program specifically for me. After five years, I continue to follow this program, returning to her annually for any up-to-date changes she may find necessary.

“My bone density tests show that instead of decreasing, as is the case with most 77-year-old women, my bone density has now increased! I take no drugs of any kind. It is the result of following Dr. Brown’s excellent program.”
R.M., Auburn, NY

---

“I started researching osteoporosis and found your book [Better Bones, Better Body], which I purchased and read cover-to-cover very quickly. I refused to take Fosamax, and luckily my doctor agreed to let me do that if I promised to have another DEXA in a year to make sure I wasn’t rapidly losing bone.

“I started exercising, improving my diet, and supplementing based on your book and managed to put off the DEXA for two years instead of one. My second DEXA showed a stable reading. I am happy, my doctor is happy—and actually listening to me.

“I continue to learn and have increased my supplementation of vitamin D. I owe a lot to your book and website.”
S.B., Puslinch, ON, Canada

---

“I read Dr. Brown’s book, Better Bones, Better Body, and really appreciated her intelligent and yet user friendly presentation. She really helped me understand the bone loss process and to finally come to grips with how much diet and lifestyle can impact bone health. Given how much I liked her book, I was really excited to find that I could have a personal consultation with her.

“Although only in my mid-forties, I already had osteoporosis of the spine and near osteoporosis of the hip. In the first year working with Dr. Brown, I gained in spinal bone density and moved out of having “osteoporosis” to having osteopenia.”
K.D., Manlius, NY

---

“I’ve just devoured the Acid Alkaline Food Guide. What can I say, but thank you, thank you! The immediate and far-reaching effect it’s had on my health is remarkable. I wish the whole world could understand and see for themselves what a difference an alkaline diet makes. Please keep up the wonderful work, and please keep promoting diet as the most important aspect of health. It saddens me that our health industry is based on treating symptoms rather than getting to the root of the problem, which is often diet. Thank you for such a wonderful guide.”
M.H., Valpariso, IN

---

“Dr. Susan Brown takes the complex topic of acid-alkaline balance and makes it understandable. I’ve studied pH for a long time, but never before understood that it’s not the minerals in the food we eat that alkalizes us—it’s the alkaline salts that are attached to the minerals. She explains the science and then has the tools that make it easy for people to test and balance their own urinary pH levels with food and supplements. I highly recommend this class/lecture.”
L.L., Whitethorn, CA

---

“I am a health researcher from Canada, found your site… awesome! Filled with lots of good information… you saved me a lot of time. Thank you.”
A.B., Coe Hill, ON, Canada

---

“GREAT article on calcium! I would say it is the best and most comprehensive that I have seen on the subject. Too often, articles cover only one piece of the calcium and bone health puzzle, which is ultimately less than helpful. Thank you for taking the time and creating this wonderful document.”
C.M., Traverse City, MI

---

“I purchased The Acid-Alkaline Food Guide 3 months ago and it changed my life. In September of 2009, I started with a nutritionist who had spoken about pH balance, but I didn’t quite understand it until I read your book, and more importantly, put it to practice. Almost 50 lbs lost to date.”
D. K.

---

“Let me congratulate you as a contributor to the success of our Health Forum. Your presentation, Building Bones Strength at Any Age, was unique, informative and interactive. It was well received by all in attendance.”
J.M., Louisiana Pelican Classic, Lafayette, LA

---

“On behalf of the American Nutraceutical Association, I want to thank you for the excellent presentation, Eight Keys for Preventing Osteoporosis and Building Bone Strength, made at our Spring Continuing Medical Education Conference in Long Beach, CA. Your presentation was most comprehensive, lively, entertaining as well as educational.”
A.M., ANA, Birmingham, AL

To read more real stories from the real people we’ve helped, visit our Success Stories section of the site.

To set-up an appointment, call the Center for Better Bones at 1-888-206-7119. Consults are available over the phone and in person at the Center located in East Syracuse, NY. You can also complete our information request form and someone from my office will get back to you within three business days.

Learn more about my Personal Consultation services:

• Consultation Types and Fees
• My Approach
• How I Can Help You
• Topics Covered in New Client Appointment
• Make an Appointment
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Success Stories
• Directions