Lou Walters, ND
Before I was a doctor, I was a patient.
Growing up in Warminster PA, I was obese. We ate the standard American diet and exercise was minimal. My health was poor. I suffered from frequent infections, eczema, numerous digestive issues, mood swings, and depression but it was all I knew so I thought it was normal.
After graduating from Albright College with a B.S. in biology, I moved in with a couple of friends. I found myself getting winded climbing the stairs to the apartment, which was disconcerting. There were only two steps. With the support of my roommates, I began to run and gradually improved my food choices. I lost 90lbs and my health dramatically improved.
Years later, I was in two bad car accidents within a few months, rear-ended at high speeds, leaving me in severe pain. The anti-inflammatory and pain medications my medical doctor prescribed were effective, but when the prescription ran out the pain returned. After two years on the meds, I asked what the long-term plan was. He said, “This is it. You will need to take these medications for the rest of your life. And you shouldn’t do anything active like running or hiking again. Your body can’t handle it.”
I knew there had to be someone who could help me get better. After trying other doctors and other branches of medicine without improvement, a trusted friend recommend I see his naturopath. I didn’t know what that was, but I went. He explained the body has the wisdom and ability to heal itself if obstacles are removed and you give it what it needs.
We did just that. With time and commitment, the pain stopped. I began to run and hike again. I have since run marathons and don’t need to take anything to manage a symptom. That’s the difference between treating a symptom and addressing the source and healing. I would come to learn there are different levels to this.
These experiences not only transformed my health, but the quality of my relationships and life. Becoming a naturopathic doctor wasn’t a choice but a calling. I had to learn how to help those in need improve their health and lives. This commitment to help others led me to graduate first in my naturopathic and Applied Kinesiology classes and continues to drive me today.
To be fully transparent, I’d battled insomnia and depression since I was a kid. My insatiable drive to learn to help others in medical school triggered the worst of both. Nothing I took, natural or otherwise helped. Eventually, I went through the dark night of the soul, which is a misleading term. It was a heck of a lot longer than a night, but I had good people to guide me through it. I picked my mentors well. The experience taught me the importance of creating balance in all aspects of health, not just food, exercise, and supplements, and the power of perspective. I also learned there are different levels in healing: treating symptoms, avoiding triggers (often falsely assumed to be the root cause) and resolving why you have triggers. Since then, I have slept like a baby. I’d be lying if I said I’ve been happy ever since, but I am the vast majority of the time.
My story is not to say pharmaceuticals are bad. They can be a useful tool in medical care, but they are not the only tool. Just like a sledgehammer isn’t always the right tool for the job.
If you would like to not just manage symptoms with a green pill or a white pill or constantly have to avoid triggers, but truly address the source of your health issues so you can feel your best, I have the training and experience to help you. I know the path because I’ve walked it. I will help support and guide you through the process.
Book a 15-minute Meet and Greet or a NEW patient appointment to begin to improve your health and fully enjoy life or call 406-551-6175
Dr. Lou graduated summa cum laude from the National University of Natural Medicine
Dr. Lou is licensed as a primary care naturopathic doctor in Montana (Pennsylvania does not currently license naturopathic doctors. In PA he serves as a health advisor and consultant.)
He founded and has practiced at The Source Wellness Center as a holistic family doctor since 2009. He works with both kids and adults.
He is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Montana Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians. He serves on the board of the Montana Association of Naturopathic Physicians as Member at Large.