What is Naturopathic medicine?

Did you know these Healthy facts?

What is the difference between a naturopathic doctor and a medical doctor?

Who should see a Naturopathic Doctor?

What are the types of treatments that a naturopathic doctor would use?

What conditions and illnesses do naturopathic doctors commonly treat?

What are the advantages to seeing a naturopathic doctor?

What can I expect on my first visit to a naturopathic doctor?

How long will my visits take?

What are the principles of naturopathic medicine?

What is naturopathic medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct, integrated system of primary health care offered by the Naturopathic doctors. These doctors have undergone rigorous training before they became licensed healthcare practitioners so you can rest assured that you are in good hands. Naturopathic medicine allows for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human disorders by the therapeutic use of various science based complementary treatments. While modern medicine is a youngster of less than 200 years old, Natural Medicine has been the primary medicine used by most of the human community even into the 21st Century. Herbal and traditional medical arts remain the primary medical choice of over 65% of people. Naturopathic doctors combine the wisdom of nature with modern science that may bring a more holistic approach to a person’s needs. Holistic, proactive prevention and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of a patient is something which you may expect with Naturopathic treatments. It offers safe, cost-effective solutions for many healthcare problems. Competence and respect for tradition, the scientific method and innovation are hallmarks of a Naturopathic medical practice. By using protocols that minimize the risk of harm, Naturopathic physicians help facilitate the body’s inherent ability to restore and maintain optimal health. It is the naturopathic physician’s role to identify and remove barriers to good health by helping to create a healing internal and external environment. The goal of Naturopathic Medicine is to develop optimal wellness for each patient, and to teach the principles of ideal health.

Did you know these Healthy facts?
In 1983 the World Health Organization recommended the integration of naturopathic medicine into conventional health care systems.2

In 1994 Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences, a naturopathic medical school, was awarded almost $1 million in research funds from the

National Institutes of Health’s Office of Alternative Medicine to research alternative therapies for patients with HIV and AIDS.3

Graduates of accredited naturopathic medical colleges are required to have more hours of study in basic sciences and clinical sciences than graduates of Yale or Stanford medical schools.4

The “anti-cancer” diet recognized by the National Cancer Institute was first published in a naturopathic medical textbook in the 1940s.5

Graduates of accredited naturopathic medical colleges receive more formal training in therapeutic nutrition than M.D.’s, osteopathic physicians, or registered dietitians.6

The government of Germany now requires conventional doctors and pharmacists to receive training in naturopathic techniques because they have been found to be so cost-effective.7

Today there are over one thousand licensed practicing naturopathic physicians (N.D.’s) in the United States.8

As of August 1996, twelve states in the U.S. and five provinces of Canada now license naturopathic doctors as primary-care physicians. (It is projected that all fifty states will license naturopathic physicians by the year 2010.)9

Three accredited colleges educate and train naturopathic doctors in North America.10

The County Council in Seattle, Washington, established the nation’s first government-subsidized naturopathic medical clinic.11

© Michael Alan Morton PhD, Mary Morton

(Excerpted from Five Steps to Selecting the Best Alternative Medicine, New World Library, 1997)

What is the difference between a naturopathic doctor and a medical doctor?
The difference with Naturopathic doctors is that they treat their patients holistically, taking into consideration the individual’s biochemistry, biomechanics, and emotional predispositions. They also try to use gentle yet effective treatments and these treatments may avoid side effects or interactions between treatments. Naturopathic physicians also recognize the importance of using conventional medicine when it is necessary and often work together with medical doctors to help support the patient’s health needs. ND’s also use conventional lab work, x-rays, and functional laboratory testing which is a type of testing that goes above and beyond conventional lab testing in allowing the practitioner to observe imbalances and potential pathology to prevent and treat illness at the root.

Who should see a Naturopathic Doctor?

The GOOD NEWS: Naturopathic Medicine is for the entire family. From newborns to the elderly, all can benefit from Naturopathic Medicine and we encourage not just preventative medicine for the entire family but treatment for chronic health conditions. Naturopathic Medicine allows those who wish to optimize their health and wellness and uncover the root cause of chronic illness and prolong longevity.

Naturopathic doctors treat most chronic medical conditions and can provide both individual and family healthcare.

Some of the most common ailments the Naturopathic Doctors treat are allergies, chronic pain, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, obesity, respiratory conditions, heart disease, fertility problems, menopause, adrenal fatigue, Cancer, Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue syndrome. Naturopathic doctors can perform minor surgeries also, such as removing cysts or stitching up superficial wounds. ND’s are trained to utilize prescription drugs, although the emphasis of naturopathic medicine is the use of natural healing agents.

You should remember that good health is an investment. Invest now and it will pay a good return to your quality of life. When you consider how important it is to maintain your car, it is considered smart to spend money on maintenance and upkeep. It lengthens the life of your car and keeps it running well and prevents breakdowns.

If you would do that for your car, wouldn’t you do it for yourself?

What are the types of treatments that a naturopathic doctor would use?

Preventative Medicine – a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s health risks including diet, exercise and stress. The doctor will then provide preventative health protocols for the patient to follow.

Nutritional Medicine – using dietary protocols, nutritional advice and supplements to heal and repair the body.

Botanical (herbal) Medicine – ND’s are professionally trained herbalists and know both the historical uses of plants as well as the modern pharmacological mechanisms.

Homeopathic Medicine – small amounts of natural substances are used to stimulate the body’s self-healing abilities.

Manipulation and Physical Medicine – corrections of stress or trauma induced misalignments of muscle, connective tissue and the skeletal system. The therapeutic use of water, light electricity, ultra-sound, massage and exercise.

Traditional Chinese Medicine – includes the use of acupuncture and Chinese herbs.

What conditions and illnesses do naturopathic doctors commonly treat?

Naturopathic doctors treat chronic conditions. Many patients visit an ND form many reasons.  We hear from some of our patients that they have been to many physicians and specialists and have not been able to resolve their health concern(s).  Other patients are more proactive and want to live a long and healthy life and these individuals are interested in anti aging therapies that help keep them look and feel young and healthy from the inside and out. We work with our patients  and treat chronic health conditions and optimize overall health and wellness.

What are the advantages to seeing a naturopathic doctor?

The goal of a naturopathic doctor is to understand the individual health needs of each patient. ND’s take a more traditional approach and spend a great deal of time with each patient in order to understand each person, and their specific health issues.

ND’s look to the underlying cause of the condition, not just the symptoms, and use treatments that are defined by the individual and their health at that time. A naturopathic doctor will take more time with you, to do an initial assessment, which may include a full physical exam.

What can I expect on my first visit to a naturopathic doctor?

As Naturopathic Medicine treats the underlying cause of the disease, our Naturopathic doctor’s will conduct a comprehensive visit allowing a greater understanding of where your healthcare issues are originating.  Your health personal health as well as your family history along with your lifestyle, eating habits, exercise, stress, and exposure to environmental toxins will all be evaluated. In some cases a physical exam to help determine where the condition will be necessary in order to start you on the right path to optimal wellness.

How long will my visits take?

The initial visit is up to an hour and the second visit will be up to 45 minutes.  On going visits will be determined by the type of treatment necessary to treat the particular health condition(s). The response to treatment varies with respects to individuals.

Fees for naturopathic medicine

Good health is an investment. Invest now and it will pay an immediate return to your quality of life. When you consider how important it is to maintain your car, it’s considered smart to spend money on maintenance and upkeep. It lengthens the life of your car and keeps it running efficiently. You certainly do not want your car to breakdown going up a steep hill. If you would do that for your car, wouldn’t you do it for yourself?

You are worth it. Speak to your Naturopathic Doctor about what tests and treatments may be necessary to help resolve your health conditions.  We strive to give our patients an objective clinical and scientific approach to your health and wellness and performing various testing helps the practitioner understand what treatments and duration of treatments are necessary in order to keep our patients optimally healthy.

The services of a Naturopathic Doctor are not usually covered by insurance companies in the UK, however it is best to check with your insurance provider. Payment of all Naturopathic Services is the patient’s responsibility and we cannot ensure your insurance company will or will not pay for Naturopathic Visits or Services.

Laboratory Testing: Varies on type of Testing performed

Principles Of Naturopathic Medicine

First Do No Harm(Primum No Nocere)
Use methods and medicines that do not cause adverse reactions using treatments that will enable proper care and prevention.

Co-operate with the Healing Power of Nature
Vis Medicatrix Naturae) Naturopathic Medicine creates treatment programs that enable the body to heal itself through support and functional treatment.

Identify the Fundamental Cause(Tolle Causam) The naturopathic doctor seeks to address the underlying causes of disease, rather than suppress the symptoms.

Heal the Whole Person through Individual Treatment (Tolle tottum)
Naturopathic doctors treat each patient individually and take into consideration physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors that may attribute to one’s health.

Teach Principles of Healthy Living and Preventative Medicine (Docere) 
”Doctora” means teaching, it enables the naturopathic doctor to share information and knowledge with their patients to promote self-responsibility for health care.