NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Modalities

Nutrition and supplementation – Proper nutrition is the foundation of health and healing. It is the most important modality. Supplements can be used to enhance nutritional status or healing.

Botanical medicine – Herbs can be used for acute and chronic conditions and can aid a number of physiological processes in the body. They can be used in the form of capsules, teas, tinctures, and topicals.

Naturopathic physical medicine – Similar to chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, naturopathic physical medicine is the manual correction of structural misalignments in the body.

Hydrotherapy – Hydrotherapy is the application of hot and cold, through the use of water, to parts of the body to stimulate healing, immune response, circulation, and lymphatic drainage.

Homeopathy – Homeopathy is a safe and effective way to treat nearly any medical condition. Without any dangerous side effects, it is ideal for mental health conditions, children, and highly sensitive patients.

Acupuncture – The application of (small) needles along energetic meridians in the body can be a powerful tool in reducing pain, stimulating the immune system and healing, and aiding a number of other physiological processes in the body.

Environmental medicine – Heavy metal toxicities, chemical sensitivities, allergies, and food sensitivities can be major obstacles to health that most physicians overlook and can be the main cause of many chronic health conditions.

Naturopathic Principles & Philosophy

Licensed naturopathic physicians (NDs/NMDs) attend a 4 year medical training at a federally accredited naturopathic medical school and pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX). Naturopathic physicians receive the same basic medical sciences coursework as MDs, with similar clinical rotation and patient-contact requirements prior to graduation. However, NDs receive additional training in the areas of medical nutrition, nutritional supplementation, botanical/herbal medicine, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, environmental medicine, naturopathic physical medicine, hydrotherapy, and counseling.

Naturopathic doctors practice medicine in accordance with the 6 naturopathic principles:

First, Do No Harm – NDs use therapies that are safe and effective without suppressing symptoms.

The Healing Power of Nature – The human body has an inherent ability to heal itself. NDs support this process by enhancing the bodies environment and natural processes, and removing obstacles to health.

Identify and Treat the Cause – NDs focus on treating the underlying cause of disease, not merely suppressing symptoms.

Treat the Whole Person – This includes body, mind, and spirit. Individualized, patient-centered care is essential in successfully treating any patient.

Doctor as Teacher – NDs’ primary objective is to teach their patients how to obtain and maintain optimal health by empowering them in their own healing journey.

Prevention – Prevention is always better than a cure.