Dr. Noel Peterson

Noel Peterson ND, DAAPM has practiced naturopathic medicine in Lake Oswego since 1978. He serves as the Medical Director of the Center for Traditional Medicine P.C., a multi-discipline practice dedicated to empowering people to create optimal health through education, inspiration, and natural therapy. He has focused his practice on Prolotherapy since 1999 and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) since 2006. Dr. Peterson is Certified in Prolotherapy by the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine. He is a long standing member of the American Association of Orthopedic Medicine. and served as board member for the Naturopathic Academy of Naturopathic Injection.

Certified in Prolotherapy: Dr. Peterson specializes in natural and regenerative  medicine, including Prolotherapy, PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma prolotherapy) in Portland and Lake Oswego. He earned his certification in prolotherapy through the American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine,. He is one of only three physicians certified in prolotherapy in the Pacific Northwest and the only physician certified in prolotherapy in Northern Oregon and Southwest Washington.

He is a Diplomat of the American Academy of Pain Management (DAAPM).

In 2009, he was honored with the first annual NCNM Alumni Association award for “The Most Innovative and Groundbreaking Naturopathic Clinical Practice”

Dr. Peterson is respected by his peers and has served his patients and the public in many capacities.  He understands first-hand the special challenges facing athletes of all ages. His interest in prolotherapy began when he developed serious life-threatening injuries that required more than orthopedic surgery to heal. After rehabilitation and prolotherapy treatments he has been able to resume all of his sports without pain or restriction. He trained in martial arts for 20 years and now  calls the Columbia River Gorge his gym, where he enjoys kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Dr. Peterson’s passion in medicine is finding the source of his patients’ conditions. To accomplish this, he first listens to the patients’ story, learning the nuances of their physical and emotional condition. He openly thinks out loud, letting the client know what he’s thinking, what tests are appropriate, and maps out a strategy to find the source and resolution of their condition. He utilizes all manner of physical and laboratory testing to discover the metabolic, nutritional, hormonal and mechanical disorders of his patients.

Private Practice Lake Oswego, Oregon, 1978- Present. Director of the Center for Traditional Medicine, a multi discipline practice specializing in prolotherapy and dedicated to empowering people to create optimal health through education, inspiration, and natural therapy. www.MyCTM.org

Education:

Doctor Of Naturopathic Medicine National College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1978; Portland, Oregon. http://www.ncnm.edu

Certification in Prolotherapy, American Association of Orthopaedic Medicine,  www.aaomed.org

Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management,  www.aapainmanage.org

Bachelor of Science Kansas Newman College; Wichita, Kansas. http://www.newmanu.edu

Public Service

President, Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians Three-one year terms (1979-1982). Duties included leadership in legislative initiatives, governmental relations and public education about the role of Naturopathic Medicine in Oregon health care. www.oanp.org

Medical Director, Portland Naturopathic Clinic National College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1984-1987. Chief administrator of the colleges teaching clinic, responsible for the quality of care, staffing, budget, facilities management, and clinical education of naturopathic medical students.  www.ncnm.edu

Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners. Appointed to a 3-year term by Oregon’s Governor in 1988 to the five member licensing board, responsible for administrating ORS-685, the naturopathic licensing act. Reappointed by Governor Barbara Roberts to a second 3-year term in 1991. Served as chair of Budget, Administrative Rule, and College Review committees until 1994. Naturopathic physicians practice under one of the oldest professional license laws in the State of Oregon, first written in 1927. www.oregon.gov/OBNM/

Council on Naturopathic Medical Education Served as Vice President and Secretary to the council and its Commission on Accreditation, 1989-1994. The CNME is the only recognized naturopathic medical school accrediting body in the world, and operates under the U.S. Department of Education. CNME serves as the accrediting body for all U.S. and Canadian colleges of Naturopathic medicine. Its primary mission is to protect the public by promoting a standard of excellence in naturopathic medical education. http://www.cnme.org

Board Member, American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, 2000-2006. The AANP mission is to serve its members by advancing the profession of naturopathic medicine and preserving its integrity. Our vision is to transform the healthcare system from a disease management system to a comprehensive health program incorporating the vis medicatrix naturae, the healing power of nature. http://www.naturopathic.org

Physician Reviewer, Lumetra. “Lumetra is a healthcare consulting organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and integrity of healthcare. We provide brighter insights for better healthcare across the United States. Our work, capabilities, and services are at the vanguard of our nation’s efforts to transform the delivery, administration, and future of healthcare. Our clients recognize us for providing comprehensive services and innovative solutions. An independent, nonprofit organization with more than two decades of experience, Limeira offers a broad array of services to public and private organizations.” www.lumetra.com

Research Published:

“Combination glutathione and anthocyanins as an alternative for skin care during external beam radiation”, T. Miko Enomoto, MD Thomas Johnson MD, Noel Peterson ND, Louis Homer MD, Deb Walts RN, and Nathalie Johnson MD , American Journal of Surgery, Volume 189, Number 5; 627-631.

Combined Glutathione and Anthocyanins: An Improved Alternative for Skin Care During External Beam Radiation, Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, 2008- A collaborative 150 patient placebo controlled double-blind study at Kaiser Hospitals and Legacy Hospitals

Current Research

Standardized In-office Method of Platelet Rich Plasma Preparation, Noel Peterson ND, Dean Reeves MD, Frank Nordt, PhD A human subject Western IRB approved study currently in data collection.

 Teacher

Associate Professor in Clinical Neurology, National College of Naturopathic Medicine; Portland, Oregon; 1979-1983. http://www.ncnm.edu

Faculty, NATI Prolotherapy workshops, Naturopathic Academy of Therapeutic Injection, 2005-present.

Professional Memberships:

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, http://www.naturopathic.org/

Oregon Association of Naturopathic Physicians, www.oanp.org

American Association of Orthopedic Medicine, www.aaomed.org

American Academy of Pain Management, www.aapainmanage.org

Naturopathic Association of Therapeutic Injection, www.injectiontx.org

Presented the following topics:

The Elbow in Pain: What to Do, What Not to Do, National College of Natural Medicine, Health Biz Expo, Portland, OR, April 2010

Physical Rehab Essentials: Keep it Simple for Success, National College of Natural Medicine, Elders conference, Portland, OR, June 2010

Knee Rehabilitation and Prolotherapy, NATI Module 4, Portland OR May 2009

Prolotherapy Assessment and Treatment of the Elbow, NATI Module 2, Vancouver BC, October 2007

A Walk in the PARQ: informed consent in naturopathic injection therapy. NATI Conference Module II, Phoenix AZ, Aug 2005

Reduced Glutathione and Anthocyanins in Skin Care During External Beam Radiation, AANP Annual Convention, Phoenix AZ 2005.

Prolotherapy: Assessment and Treatment of the Elbow, NATI Conference Module II, Portland, OR June 2006

Migraine Headaches, an Integrated Naturopathic Approach NCNM Homecoming Elders Conference, June 1997 NCNM, Portland, Oregon

Advanced Institute on Geriatric Care Management: Clinical and Ethical Challenges National Association of Geriatric Care Managers Annual Meeting, May 19-21, 1996; Portland, Oregon

Progesterone in Premature Labor NCNM O.B. Symposium, 1991, Portland, Oregon

Thyroid Function Pregnancy and Postnatal Mothers MANA Conference (Midwives Alliance of North America), February 19, 1989, Portland. Oregon

Naturopathic Treatment of Otitis Media NCNM Pediatrics Symposium, Oct. 29, 1988. Portland, Oregon

Testimonials

  • “I am often cautious when I hear someone exclaim, "that treatment was amazing" or "what a miracle", however, hear I am saying those same words after just a few treatments of prolotherapy from Dr. Peterson. I came in to get treatment for some old athletic injuries from a water skiing accident in 1994 and many various crashes alpine skiing, plus the usual aches and pains of being athletic. I had sustained quite a bit of trauma to my sacro-iliac joint 15 years prior to seeing Dr. Peterson in a water skiing accident and then many years of alpine skiing crashes on top of overuse injuries in weight lifting, running, cycling and mountaineering. I had pain and limitation in range of motion mainly in the sacro-iliac joint area, but with many areas to include shoulder joint, knee and along my sacrum and lumbar spine. After receiving just 2 treatments, I already had significant improvements in pain and motion, plus I was getting stronger. As I continued my treatments, it was as if the injuries no longer even existed and I had new supportive ligamentous support. Now, telling my story many years later, I feel I can actually say, "wow, that was a miracle treatment by Dr. Peterson." I have competed in various CrossFit competitions, continued to cycle even harder, continue to excel in my strength, recovery from workouts and backpack and climb for days and days without pain or dysfunction. ” – KL, Portland, Oregon

  • “I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the help you have given my mom. She’d been in severe constant pain and taking pain meds since her back surgery 10 years ago. Her back is so much better, she’s off pain meds, and her restless legs and other conditions are all improving gradually. I am so grateful for the relief she is experiencing. Additionally, I am very thankful you have helped her gain a new perspective on health. She has been trained by traditional medicine all her life that if something is wrong, you take a pill to fix it with complete disregard to side effects, interactions and long-term effects. Thank you for being the voice of reason and health in helping her improve her health. I will always be grateful for what you have done for her and our family. - Debbie Martin, Wilsonville, OR ” – Severe constant pain since her back surgery.

  • “I spend a lot of time in the backcountry, enjoying our public lands with a pack on my back and a map in my hands. It isn’t uncommon for me to venture on foot for 80 miles over the course of a week, trekking over mountain passes and across high mountain basins with friends. I depend on my body to work hard and get me where I want to go. A few years ago, a chronic ache appeared deep down in my hip. It didn’t matter if I was sitting, standing or walking; my hip was burning deep down in the socket. I could still hike, but the ache only grew worse the more I used my legs and I started to worry about losing my ability to do the things I loved. I needed to do something. I had heard about the benefits of Prolotherapy from my wife who had been receiving treatments for several years and I scheduled an appointment at the Center for Traditional Medicine. I must admit that I headed home from my first treatment feeling skeptical. I thought to myself, how can this simple treatment actually work? Well, two months after receiving my treatment the ache in my hip disappeared and I have now gone more than two years with absolutely no pain. I’m back on the trail and am using my body to do what I love the most. While my hip feels like new, I have returned to the Center for Traditional Medicine to treat ligaments in my lower back and some rib pain behind my shoulder. One treatment each has cured them both. I’m sold on the benefits of Prolotherapy and highly recommend this treatment to anyone who wants to maintain an active lifestyle for as long as possible. -Joel Webster, Missoula, MT ” – Chronic ache deep down in my hip.

  • “I'm 23 years old. I saw Dr. Peterson for prolo about a year ago because for 9 or 10 years I had been experiencing knee problems. It had begun with creaking and popping sounds and a grinding sensation when I crouched and stood up, and slowly progressed over the years into near constant pain. It got to the point where I was taking painkillers several times a day to escape the grinding feeling when I walked. I work in a two-story building and had to stop using the stairs because of pain. I used the elevator every day. My coworkers joked that I had “old man knees.” After starting prolotherapy with Dr. Peterson my knees started feeling stronger, more stable. In the early stages they hurt worse, but only because I had to stop taking painkillers. After a few treatments the pain went away and I started actually taking the stairs again. With continued treatment my knees begin to pop and creek less and less when I crouched. When I started treatment, Dr. Peterson had told me that I had arthritis in my knees. The arthritis must have cleared up because now I leap up the stairs two or three steps at a time, every time I take the stairs. And my wife doesn't have to go off on walks and runs and bike rides without me. And I’m not taking any pain medication whatsoever. Now I actually feel my age of 23 and am no longer restricted by my knees. -Alex Grasley, Salem, OR” – "Old Man" knees in a 23 year old.

  • “Migraine Headaches, Hip Pain I am a 50 year old mother of two. Several years ago I started having terrible migraine headaches which would incapacitate me for days. I was taking Topamax to lessen the frequency and also AltMax for when I would get a migraine despite the Topamax. The longer I took Topamax, the less effective is was and I was starting to get more and more migraines. Dr. Peterson has treated me twice with Prolo Therapy for my migraines and the change has been remarkable. I no longer take the Topamax, which was costing me $200/month and in the past 6 months I've only had 2 migraines, which were greatly reduced in strength and I was able to handle them with Excedrin. The Prolo has also had the added benefit of lessening my neck aches and making my neck feel much stronger. Dr. Peterson had also treated my hip with Prolo. I sleep on my side and was finding it difficult to get a full nights sleep because my hip would start aching, feeling like it had slipped out of place. Chiropractic didn't help, but with Prolo my hip became stronger and no longer slips out. I no longer have the constant ache in my hip and can now sleep on my side without pain. It is such a relief to know that as I age, I don't have to just put up with the pain, but can in fact make my joints stronger. -Lorri Busse, Tehachepi, CA” – Migraine Headaches, Hip Pain

  • “HCG: What does this weight loss and change in diet mean for me? It's like a rebirth. The weight was acquired so gradually, that it just snuck up on me, and I truly didn't realize how desperately handicapped I had become. I fluffed off the limitations is just part of getting older. Well, now I am older and fat-free and feel as if I could live forever. Every move I make is a move of freedom. My mood is lighter as well, as light as my weight. The vague depression faded as I became physically lighter. I'm healthier because of the weight loss in every way my body functions. I look forward with joy to my future as a healthy, active, very happy, great-grandmother. I could not have accomplished any of this without the help of my good friend Dr. Noel Peterson. He's been my doctor for over 12 years. His supporting and guidance kept me on the mark. Sincerely, -Herma Ray Baxter Portland OR ” – What does this weight loss and change in diet mean for me?

  • “I was having pain in both knees and thought that it was just part of growing older. After a second acute hyperextension injury I was told I needed surgery. I saw Dr. Peterson and he said that PRP could get me back to 100%. He was not joking! Unlike the orthopedist who did a quick exam and ordered an MRI, Dr. Peterson examined my knees and figured out exactly where my problem areas were. After 3 PRP treatments, I have no pain and feel completely stable. I'm confident that my 35-year-old needs will be back to where they were when I was younger. My job is physically demanding and so I'm compelled to maintain an active lifestyle. PRP was the best option for me as I was able to remain active throughout my all my treatments. Worth every penny! It is also way better than going under the knife! Thanks. Dr. Peterson! -T. D., Firefighter, Portland OR ” – ACL injury

  • “ Dr. Peterson- Thank you so much for the prolotherapy-I feel great! I can bend my knees with no pain-squat with no pain- I am walking now with no pain! -Rachel Lewis, Retired, Milwaukie, OR ” – Walking now with no pain!