Pearl Natural Health

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2009, and ever since then I’ve been trying drug after drug to get the inflammation and symptoms under control. Although the drugs have helped, they certainly have not put me into remission. That being the case, I started researching the many ways diet can play a role in healing. I stumbled across the Pearl Natural Health website and found Julia Tinkham-​Ray, and I am so very grateful that I did. I started the Specific Carbohydrate Diet over 4 months ago with Julia’s assistance, and I am never looking back. I feel as though I’m back to my pre-​UC self. I feel absolutely amazing. Although the diet takes great discipline and will power, once I started feeling my body healing, I knew I was in the right place. I have gotten my life back thanks to the SCD and Julia’s steadfast ways of keeping me on track and focused. If you are considering changing your lifestyle to the ways of the SCD, I would highly recommend Julia’s services.

I have been participating in the SCD Support group run by Julia through Pearl Natural Health. The SCD support group has been a great resource and aid for me in my battle with Crohn’s disease. After years of struggling with western medications, I found Julia and the support group and started coming to a few meetings. I didn’t actually start the diet until about a year after my first meeting, but the meetings gave me the structure and confidence to try it. The diet has been nothing short of miraculous for me, and I definitely attribute so much of my ability to do it to Julia and the time she gave to me as I was starting out, as well as to meeting and talking with others in the same struggle as myself.

Thanks so much to Dr. Weiner for discovering my type 1 diabetes. I had been seeing a endocrinologist for a year for my thyroid and he never discovered it. Dr. Weiner did a full blood analysis and realized my sugar was very high. He prescribed some natural meds to help preserve my beta cells and put me on a low carb diet. He also had me read Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetic Solution which is like my bible. AND I can’t forget to mention the acupuncture treatment which really helped my anxiety especially after having gone through so much the past two years.
Today, I no longer take anything for my thyroid, it is completely restored. Unfortunately, Type 1 Diabetes requires insulin so that is a part of my daily routine and so is a healthy low carb diet and a lot of walking. Thank you to Pearl Natural Health for the great care, I could have ended up in the hospital if it wasn’t for you.

I highly recommend Pearl Natural Health. Dr. Weiner has helped me with with my thyroid, adrenals and hormones– not an easy task as many doctors do not fully understand these issues. He has repeatedly taken the time to listen, ask questions and treat my health issues with a depth of understanding you just don’t see much anymore. I had been curious about acupuncture and after a number of visits to Ellen Goldsmith, I now love it as I leave those appointments feeling so good. If you want to start feeling better, this office will help you.

Ellen Goldsmith, L. Ac, and the Pearl Natural Health office staff are great. I have been going to Ellen for acupuncture for over a year and she has helped me with running injuries and overall health. I have and will continue to recommend Ellen.

When I was visiting Portland I discovered this great Physician. One of the best decisions I have made. I have been suffering from diabetes and being overweight and related complications. I have seen significant weight-​loss and general improvements in health. Had been considering stomach bypass thing but thankfully it looks like it will not be necessary. Initial consultations were good and have gotten follow up. Thank you Dr. Gary for your expertise — being direct — helping set up a plan & strategy. A willingness to consult with me remotely too. Not needed insulin and hopeful that I will become diabetes free. Not an easy path and have had setbacks. Been happy with the whole staff. Looking forward to my next visit to Portland.

All I can say is WOW! Dr Gary Weiner REALLY cares about ME!!! He has helped me identify what I need to do to take control of my health. I am on the path to being the healthy person I want to be. What I love most of all is that when I call, he’s right there for me when I’m in need! Thank you Pearl Natural Health!

Tired of dealing with the traditional western approach to wellness, I needed someone with wisdom and empathy– and I’m lucky to have found Dr. Weiner. I was dealing with fatigue, depression, metabolic issues and hormone imbalances– and I’ll never forget when Dr. Weiner looked me in the eye and told me, «We are going to get you better.» He is a compassionate physician who truly sees and understands his patients as real people. Not only did he ask questions on everything that was going on physically but also emotionally, and that was the first time a doctor had ever thought to get to know me as a real person, not just another patient. I had seen doctors who, upon hearing my symptoms, waved me off as being too stressed– but it was Dr. Weiner who discovered the root cause of my symptoms by doing blood work and finding out I had adrenal and thyroid imbalances. After given the proper supplements, I feel like myself again. After several months under his care I can now say I am happier, healthier and more energized than I have been in years. Medicine has for too long focused just on the physical dimensions of the patient, and Dr. Weiner has demonstrated that hearing a patients whole story, including their emotional and spiritual wellbeing, will yield real results, giving hope to people like me.

Slick, but not in a good way. Sell, sell, sell is the motto here. Bill the patient and the insurance company for the same visit? This is the place! Unnecessary referral to his in-​house acupuncturist (who happens to be his wife)? Dr. W is your man! He’ll get you on the hook by helping you a little at first, then come the expensive tests and supplements. Slick.

I can only comment on the B-​12 shots from Dr. Raylinksy, because that’s all I’ve visited Pearl Natural Health for, but I’ve had eight good experiences so far. I ordered the Groupon and waited until the very last moment to book an appointment, but the office staff have always been friendly, as has Dr. Raylinksy. I was impressed about her knowledge of the gene mutation that causes people to be unable to or have a more difficult time methylating their B vitamins for absorption. Previous naturopaths knew it affected folate, but I was pleased to find that she offers methylated B-​12 shots for people like me who have the gene mutation. She sits me down each time for a miniature consultation beforehand, checking to see if I can tell a difference with the B-​12 shots. If I wasn’t already going elsewhere, I would consider taking more of my health concerns here.

I’ve seen Dr. Weiner about 10 times and spent thousands of dollars out of pocket and I’ve had no improvement under his care. He would not give me a referral to a specialist without another visit! With limited insurance coverage for naturopathic care, each visit is crucial. I was frequently billed for a 1.5 hr visit, when in reality, I was there for 20 minutes. When questioned, they would state, «Oh, we thought we were billing your insurance. We will discount it since you are paying out of pocket.» This is why our health care system is broken.
Please refer to «Conscientious O’s» review below for more info… it is very helpful.

Fantastic group of practitioners. Friendly and prompt front office staff that even deal with insurance billing!

I highly recommend Pearl Natural Health. Everyone at the clinic makes you feel at home and Dr. Weiner really cares about your health. I have had appointments with Dr. Weiner where we’ve finished talking about what I had come for in a few minutes and instead of «calling it good» he actually still sat there for the full hour to field questions about nutrition, and overall health. He has a lot of ideas for how to improve your health, without asking you to step outside of your comfort zone and he asks a lot of questions before giving you any sort of treatment, to make sure he really understands the full extent of what you are feeling and what the possible causes could be.
Since going to Pearl, my health has improved immensely! I have found a diet that really works with my body, and I have been able to get my vital stats (cholesterol, etc.) all into a health range, without taking any medications. I have also LEARNED a lot about health, because Dr Weiner doesn’t just tell you what to do… he explains everything. Often, with funny little drawings.
I haven’t had an appointment with her yet, but my husband also really loves Ellen (who does acupuncture at the clinic). After visiting her only a few times, a shoulder problem that he had had for years simply vanished.
Thank you for the great service, Pearl!
*Kali G

Gary Weiner would not be my first choice for a Naturopath. In fact, he is arrogant yet skittish and has zero ability to show empathy or to recognize when he is not providing beneficial care, just simply reacting for the sake of reacting. He is a used car salesman with a stethoscope … he will run appointments long and always keep you waiting. Watch how he bills your insurance as he will bill for long appointments and encourage you to buy unnecessary supplements and attend his self-​promoted health and wellness seminars, taking away from the time he should be spending on his patient’s healthcare. His bedside manner is lacking and so is the way he approaches medicine. Don’t make the same mistake I did.