Naturopathic practice opens as Centre Down Health

LACONIA — When was the last time you spent an hour with your doctor? Naturopathic doctors Brian Paterson, ND, LAc, and Kathryn Cranford, ND, NHCM, make time to listen. Combining their separate practices of more than 15 years each, their joint practice is called Centre Downe Health and is housed in a newly completed, ecologically constructed building in the heart of the Lakes Region. NDs have been licensed in New Hampshire since 1996. This law provides a broad scope of practice that includes laboratory and physical diagnosis, herbal, homeopathic, nutritional and limited pharmaceutical treatment options.

Dr. Paterson and Dr. Cranford met at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington, in 1999 and have made their permanent home together here in the Lakes Region. In 2008 they built their two-story 12-sided solar, wood and electric-powered home with visions of using this land as a center for health and well-being, first for their family, and increasingly for the community. If the quiet location with beautiful views of the natural landscape and herb, flower and vegetable gardens are not enough to make you feel well, they have a lot of other treatment options to offer.

Dr. Cranford has been in practice at Whole Heart Healing Arts in Meredith, and then Laconia, continuously since 2005. Previously she practiced in Maine. She provided naturopathic midwifery care for 15 years and is now using this experience to focus on naturopathic women's health care and pediatrics as well as chronic disease prevention and care. Her passions are for herbal and homeopathic medicine in combination with nutritional and lifestyle counseling.

Dr. Paterson was in practice at the Holistic Health Center at LRGH for 14 years until August of 2016 when he went into private practice. As an acupuncturist and naturopath, he has been providing holistic care, specializing in precisely targeted musculoskeletal work to residents of the Lakes Region for a decade and a half. His reputation for pain relief for conditions which have eluded other practitioners and techniques is widespread in the area. Hope Clavett, who worked as the secretary/receptionist for Dr. Paterson at Holistic Health, has joined Centre Downe Health as front desk manager.

Appointments are currently being booked in the new space.

Now offering care at Centre Down Health are, from left, Dr. Kathryn Cranford, front desk manager Hope Clavett and Dr. Brian Paterson. (Courtesy photo)