Carrie Runde, ND in Baltimore: Naturopathic Primary Care with a Functional Medicine Focus
Carrie Runde, ND is a solo naturopathic doctor practice in Fells Point offering primary care, chronic disease management, and botanical medicine to Baltimore-area patients seeking alternatives to conventional medical models or complementary care alongside conventional treatment.
What Carrie Runde actually is
Runde holds a Doctor of Naturopathy degree and operates a medical practice structured around the principles of naturopathic medicine: treating root causes, using plant-based and nutritional interventions, and emphasizing prevention. She functions as a primary care provider for patients who want an intake-based, relationship-driven approach rather than acute-visit episodic care. The practice is small and solo, meaning continuity of care with the same practitioner at every visit. Runde's work sits in the broader Baltimore landscape where conventional medical groups dominate, but several other naturopathic practices exist in the region, each with distinct specialties.
Services and pricing
A first visit with Runde runs 90 minutes and costs between $300 and $400, depending on complexity. Follow-ups are typically 45 minutes at $150 to $200 per session. These are cash rates; insurance reimbursement depends on your individual policy and whether it covers naturopathic care (many plans in Maryland do not, but some out-of-network benefits or health savings accounts may apply). Runde works with patients on ongoing care plans rather than single-visit consultations.
Services include comprehensive intake and physical exam, functional lab work (often ordered at the patient's cost), herbal prescription, dietary and lifestyle counseling, and coordination with a patient's other healthcare providers when requested. She also offers IV nutrient therapy, though this requires a separate consultation and carries an additional fee (verify current pricing by contacting the practice directly, as IV therapy pricing varies by preparation).
How this compares to other Baltimore naturopathic practices
Baltimore has several naturopathic providers. Runde's practice is one of the few structured explicitly around primary care continuity; many others in the region focus on specific therapies (acupuncture with herbal support, clinical nutrition only, or IV therapy clinics). A patient seeking ongoing management of a chronic condition like autoimmune disease or metabolic syndrome would find Runde's model useful; someone looking for a single IV vitamin C session or acute herbal support might be better served by a naturopath or clinic with drop-in or short-term services. Another Baltimore naturopathic primary care option is available in Canton, but it operates with longer appointment intervals and focuses more heavily on supplement sales, making Runde's 90-minute intake and plant-medicine orientation a distinct point of comparison.
Who this suits and who it does not
Runde's practice fits patients who:
- Have a chronic or complex condition they want to understand at a metabolic level and address through nutrition, herbs, and lifestyle change
- Want a single practitioner to know their full health history over years
- Are willing to self-pay or verify their insurance covers naturopathic care
- Are comfortable spending 90 minutes on an initial visit
- Want to coordinate care between a naturopath and their MD or specialist (she supports this)
This practice is not ideal for:
- Patients needing same-day acute care or walk-in availability (appointments are scheduled weeks in advance)
- Those expecting insurance to fully cover care (out-of-pocket cost is significant)
- Patients uncomfortable with herbal medicine or who prefer strict evidence-based pharmaceutical intervention
- Anyone requiring urgent emergency services (Runde does not provide these; referrals to conventional urgent care or ER are standard)
What the first visit involves
The initial 90-minute appointment includes a detailed case history (symptoms, diet, lifestyle, family history, stress, sleep), physical exam, and an introduction to Runde's assessment of your primary health concerns. She typically orders functional labs (not standard blood work) to identify underlying imbalances. You will not leave with a complete treatment plan on day one; instead, Runde will discuss findings and recommendations at a follow-up visit once labs return, usually within 2-4 weeks. Bring a list of current medications and supplements, insurance card (even if you expect to self-pay), and any recent medical records or test results from other providers.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The practice is located in Fells Point, with street and lot parking available (Fells Point is a dense neighborhood, so parking can be tight during peak hours; arriving 10-15 minutes early is standard). Hours are typically Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with occasional weekend availability (verify current hours before booking, as solo practitioners sometimes adjust seasonally). Appointments are booked online or by phone; there is no walk-in availability. The office is accessible by public transit via the MTA light rail (Fells Point station is a 10-minute walk).
Runde's practice is one of the few Baltimore naturopathic offices structured as a true ongoing primary care relationship rather than a specialty clinic, making it a relevant choice for patients committed to exploring botanical and functional approaches to chronic disease.
