Naturopathic Medicine Doctors Near Me

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FAQs:

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. It embraces many therapies, including herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional counseling. Naturopathy was brought to the United States from Germany in the 1800s, but some of its treatments are centuries old. Today, it combines traditional treatments with some aspects of modern science.

How Does Naturopathic Medicine Work?

The goal of naturopathic medicine is to treat the whole person -- that means mind, body, and spirit. It also aims to heal the root causes of an illness -- not just stop the symptoms. A naturopathic doctor may spend 1 to 2 hours examining you. They’ll ask questions about your health history, stress levels, and lifestyle habits. They may order lab tests. Afterward, they will typically discuss your personal health plan. Naturopathic medicine focuses on education and prevention, so your doctor may give you diet, exercise, or stress management tips. They might use complementary medicine -- like homeopathy, herbal medicine, and acupuncture -- in addition to naturopathic treatments. They may also use touches, such as massage and pressure, to create balance in your body. This is called naturopathic manipulative therapy.

Is Naturopathic Medicine Safe?

Naturopathic medicine emphasizes prevention and the self-healing process to treat each person holistically and improve health outcomes. The following are some facts showing that naturopathic medicine is in fact safe:

- Numerous research studies of naturopathic treatments for common conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic low back pain, and anxiety have shown that naturopathic medicine is both safe and effective.

- Licensed naturopathic doctors complete a rigorous, four-year, in-residence, science-based, post-graduate medical education consisting of 4,100 hours of coursework and clinical training at an accredited naturopathic medical school.

- Medical malpractice insurance rates for naturopathic doctors are among the lowest of any medical services provider.

- Few medical treatments are 100% safe, but some are safer than others.

Is There Good Evidence Supporting Naturopathic Medicine?

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is considered the paradigm in conventional healthcare and has been suggested as the methodology for natural medicine. The underlying foundation of EBM is the randomized controlled trial, which is very valuable in evaluating single treatments for individual diseases. There are randomized controlled trials that suggest that naturopathic treatments, such as botanical medicine, nutritional therapies, acupuncture, and physiotherapy are effective at treating some conditions, such as fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, depression, asthma, hypertension, and type II diabetes.

While randomized control trials are effective at testing single treatments, they may not be the best paradigm to judge the use of multiple treatments in patients with more than one disorder or disease. For this and other reasons, some scientists have suggested that an evidence-based approach should include not only research evidence but also clinic expertise and patient preferences (Geyman, 1998). For example, riboflavin, a B vitamin, has been proven in a randomized controlled trial to reduce the frequency and duration of migraine headaches when used for three months. Thus a naturopathic physician will often use riboflavin as part of a treatment plan, while also including other treatments based on clinical expertise. These treatments may include the use of omega-3 fatty acids to decrease inflammation or an elimination diet to identify possible food or chemical triggers. Individual patients will have different triggers-for some it could be MSG, and for others, it could be wheat. Noting individual responses is part of taking patient preferences into consideration.

In short, naturopathic medicine is personalized medicine that does not always lend itself to a strict adherence to treatments based on randomized controlled trials alone. It is essential to test the value of individual treatments, but the actual clinical application is much more complex. (Indeed the clinical application of conventional healthcare follows a similar model: according to a recent article in the British Medical Journal, only 13% of standard tests and treatments are supported by strong evidence.)

What are the Differences Between Naturopathy and Homeopathy?

When looking for a holistic approach to your health, you may hear of both homeopathy and naturopathy. Both ideals cause about finding the root cause of an issue so that a patient can be treated on a fundamental level. However, both schools of thought have different philosophies and steps they take to go about the process of treating a patient. Homeopathy and naturopathy reflect one another in a lot of ways but knowing the differences between homeopathy and naturopathy creates a more holistic approach to life.

While both homeopathy and naturopathy believe in providing non-invasive treatment for their patients there is one major difference. Homeopathy only uses its principles to treat the sick, while naturopathy uses homeopathy as one of its many tools to treat patients. Some naturopathic practitioners may use homeopathy more or less than one another, but an overall homeopathy is a common tool used. Because naturopathic practitioner may use other forms of treatment besides homeopathy the ways of naturopathic doctor goes about their work change from doctor to doctor.

How Effective is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine has been practiced in some form or another for centuries. The techniques used by naturopathic doctors have been fine-tuned for effectiveness.

What makes naturopathic medicine so effective is that the goal of natural treatments is to treat the whole person — not just the symptoms. Rather than simply medicating problems, naturopathic doctors examine your whole body, consider your mental health, and take your work and life stresses into consideration when coming up with a personal health plan.

By bringing your entire body and environment into focus, a skilled naturopathic doctor can help you recover from existing conditions and mitigate the risk of potential, future problems.

To learn more about how naturopathic treatment can effectively treat your condition and help you achieve your optimal level of health, please contact Port Orchard Natural Medicine. Our qualified team of staff and naturopathic doctors are ready to help you pursue greater health and wellness with naturopathic treatment.

How Does Naturopathy Differ from Conventional Medicine?

The primary differences between naturopathic and conventional medicine are the philosophical approach and the therapies used. Naturopaths (NDs) help people by treating them as individuals and by addressing the physical, environmental, lifestyle, attitudinal, and emotional aspects of health. This allows naturopaths to find and treat the cause of the disease using a variety of therapies. Conventional doctors generally address and treat the symptoms of disease and use pharmaceutical therapies or surgery.

What is Naturopathy?

Naturopathy is a distinct primary healthcare system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. It is based on the healing power of nature and it supports and stimulates the body’s ability to heal itself. Naturopathy is the art and science of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention using natural therapies including dietetics, botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, fasting, naturopathic manipulation, traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, exercise, lifestyle counseling, detoxification and chelation, environmental assessment and adjustment, spiritual healing, health promotion, and disease prevention.

History of Naturopathic Medicine

The origin of naturopathic medicine as an organized profession in North America dates to European doctors in the 1600s and 1700s who incorporated herbal medicine and traditional therapies and ultimately their legacy made its way here. Modern-day naturopathic medicine also emphatically embraces multicultural holistic practices that are integral to so many countries and cultures across the globe. Additionally, ND programs work hand-in-hand with leading research institutions to grow the body of evidence supporting natural therapies.

The term ‘naturopathy’ was formally codified in North America and attributed to Dr. Benedict Lust. Dr. Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy in New York in 1902. By the 1920s naturopathic practice acts were increasing across North America. However, after WWII, the demand for naturopathic education was on the decline as surgical and pharmaceutical therapies grew in stature and demand.

In the 1970s, a resurgence in naturopathic healing resulted in the rapid growth and maturation of the naturopathic profession to where it is today. Public demand has continued to grow for the many natural therapies and root cause-based approaches core to naturopathic practice. Access to naturopathic doctors has been expanded through increased insurance coverage and legislative recognition. The profession is poised to continue to grow and provide evidence-informed natural therapies to the masses.

6 Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

All naturopathic doctors abide by the six principles of naturopathic medicine. These are:

First, do no harm. NDs focus on using medications, procedures, and other treatment approaches that are as minimally invasive as possible. However, in cases where natural treatment methods aren’t effective, an ND can refer out for further care.

The healing power of nature. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the healing power of the natural world as well as the body’s ability to heal. NDs help the patient use this power by helping to create a healthy environment, both internally and externally.

Identify and treat the causes. NDs work to identify the underlying physiologic, biochemical, structural, and psychospiritual contributors to symptoms. By addressing the underlying root cause, naturopathic medicine aims to treat the cause of symptoms rather than ameliorate the symptoms.

Doctor as teacher. NDs function not only as practitioners of natural medicine but also as teachers to their patients. Within the scope of their practice, NDs teach patients everything they need to know to take care of their bodies.

Treat the whole person. Naturopathy emphasizes the idea that there are multiple factors — physical, mental, genetic, environmental, and more — that impact one’s health. During treatment, NDs focus on addressing all these factors, rather than just one.

Prevention. While NDs do diagnose and treat health conditions, the primary focus of naturopathic medicine is the prevention of illness and disease.

By using the six principles of naturopathic medicine, NDs aim to help patients recover from both acute and chronic health conditions while using the most natural and least invasive approaches possible.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Visit a Naturopath

Here are the top five reasons why patients should visit a Licensed ND.

1. Naturopathic Doctors Focus on Prevention

Naturopathy focuses on the underlying issues and causes of a condition and then applies treatments and therapies that work in coordination with the natural healing mechanisms of the body. An ND will not only target the side effects, or symptoms of a disease/illness but will tackle the challenge of finding the reason why a patient may be experiencing said symptoms. Once discovered, an ND will provide a clear, personalized healthcare plan for patients that will empower them to improve their well-being while also minimizing the chance for further/future illnesses.

2. Naturopathic Doctors Can Help with Prevalent Health Conditions

Contrary to popular belief, naturopathy is not some witch-doctor-esque or home remedy practice of medicine. Naturopathic Doctors in the United States must pass stringent courses from certified medical colleges. With that being said, NDs are well-versed and more than capable of tackling many of the healthcare challenges and conditions that patients face today. Naturopathic doctors can treat common health conditions such as cardiovascular health, hormonal imbalances, fertility, menopause, digestion, immune system improvement, stress, sleep disorders, allergies, migraines, arthritis, and more. The major benefit and difference between how a Naturopathic Doctor and a conventional medical doctor approach these ailments is that Naturopathic Doctors more often look at the cause of the ailments and provide treatment plans that aim to cure the cause, rather than just treat the symptom.

3. Naturopathy is Non-Invasive

Naturopathic Doctors utilize non-invasive and natural therapies to tap into the body’s self-healing abilities. NDs will examine a patient’s physical symptoms, as well as the influence of lifestyle factors and emotions on the person’s whole health. Nutrition from whole foods and superfoods can be used to strengthen and nourish the body. Furthermore, all NDs in the United States study pharmacy and can prescribe or create healthy, natural, treatments that prevent addiction and other harmful side effects found in Big Pharma prescription drugs.

4. Naturopathy is Compatible with Modern Medicine

All Naturopathic doctors are trained to work alongside any current modern medicine treatments a patient may be taking. We take pride in being able to safely integrate evidence-based natural medicine, treatments, and therapies alongside modern medicine. This type of whole health approach helps put patients’ minds at ease, knowing that their ND has created a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to their individual needs.

5. Naturopathy Consultation is Affordable

In the United States, arguably the largest barrier to patients seeking out proper healthcare is the associated costs. Naturopathy consultations are significantly more affordable than traditional doctor visits and treatments. While prices may vary, most naturopathy consultations range in the $175-$300 range for an hourly session. Many insurances will also cover the cost of an ND visit, making your trip to the ND more affordable, however, the advantage of paying out of pocket is there will be no surprise bills later. As the saying goes, you can’t put a price on peace of mind, and that’s exactly what you get when you combine the affordability of a naturopathy consultation and the full benefit of natural treatments that treat your entire well-being.

Conditions that Naturopathic Medicine Can Treat

Those who struggle with chronic health conditions find naturopathic medicine to be a great relief. If you struggle with any of the following health ailments, naturopathic medicine is a good option for you.

1. Allergies: naturopathic remedies are a good alleviant to allergy symptoms

2. Chronic pain: acupuncture and other naturopathic remedies have been used to alleviate chronic pain for centuries.

3. Digestive issues: soothing naturopathic remedies are often used to rectify digestive issues.

4. Hormonal imbalances: hormones affect every aspect of your life and mood. Having an imbalance in hormones can greatly affect your quality of life. The good news is that you don’t need to turn to synthetic remedies to balance your hormones. Naturopathic medicine has been used to stabilize and balance hormones for many years.

Benefits of Naturopathy

Naturopathic medicine has long been seen as a holistic approach to treating illnesses and disorders of all kinds. Naturopathic healing involves combining different approaches in both modern medicine and traditional healing methods, from acupuncture to herbal medicine to nutrition. Naturopathic physicians are devoted to helping their patients while minimizing the side effects of prescription drugs or surgery. There are many benefits of naturopathy, let’s take a look at some of these benefits!

1. Naturopathy can treat a variety of disorders…

Many of the common ailments treated by traditional medicine can also be treated holistically by a Naturopathic physician. Some of the most common types of disorders treated using naturopathic medicine are digestive disorders, allergies, headaches, and common colds. Skin conditions may also be treated such as eczema and psoriasis. There are several holistic approaches to treating mental disorders like anxiety and depression. Nutrition, another part of the naturopathic process, is also a key part of managing your symptoms.

2. Naturopathy can be a great sleeping aid…

If you are experiencing insomnia or other sleep disorders, naturopathic medicine offers a solution. Rather than taking sleep aids in the form of prescription drugs, you can use many of the herbal treatments offered or can engage in a nutritional regimen that will ultimately help you to sleep better.

3. Naturopathy can be used for disease prevention…

The most effective way to combat disease is to prevent it from developing in the first place, and that is one of the central aims of naturopathic medicine. Disease prevention is at the forefront of the field, and proper nutrition is simply one of the many ways to gain a healthy body and a healthy immune system.

4. Naturopathy involves alternative therapy…

There are many treatment options in Naturopathic medicine. A naturopathic doctor can employ the use of supplements and herbs, botanical remedies, homeopathy, perform reiki and acupuncture, or use a combination of these treatment options. Nutritional counseling is also often used along with these therapies.

Who Provides Naturopathic Treatments?

There are 3 types of practitioners in the US:

- Naturopathic doctors who complete a 4-year, graduate level program at an accredited naturopathic medical school. These naturopathic doctors obtain licenses to practice.

- Traditional naturopaths, usually called “naturopaths” receive their training in a variety of ways. These programs vary in length and content and are not accredited. Consequently, these naturopaths often cannot obtain licenses to practice.

- Finally, other healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses and chiropractors, sometimes offer naturopathic treatments. Training for these providers varies.

Common Treatments Used by a Naturopath

Some of the more common treatments used by a naturopath include:

- Nutritional counseling

- Herbal medicine

- Homeopathic medicine

- Acupuncture

- Hydrotherapy (water therapy). These therapies include drinking natural spring water, taking baths, alternating hot and cold applications, and water exercise, all of which are thought to stimulate healing and strengthen the immune system.

- Physical medicine. This natural approach to healing involves using touch, hot and cold compresses, electric currents, and sound waves to manipulate the muscles, bones, and spine.

- Detoxification. This therapy removes toxins from the body by fasting, using enemas, and drinking lots of water.

- Spirituality. N.D.s encourage personal spiritual development as part of an overall health program.

- Lifestyle and psychological counseling. An N.D. may use hypnosis, guided imagery, or other counseling methods as part of a treatment plan.

- Pharmacotherapy. In states where N.D.s are licensed to prescribe drugs, many do use conventional medications in addition to natural therapies.

What Should I Expect from a Visit to a Naturopath?

A visit to an N.D., is similar to a visit to visiting a family doctor. Your first visit may take more than one hour. The doctor will take a very thorough history, asking about your diet, lifestyle, stress, and environmental exposures. Next, the N.D. will do a physical examination, which may require laboratory tests. In addition to conventional tests, N.D.s may use unique laboratory techniques, such as the Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA). This test allows naturopaths to examine your digestive process, as well as see which nutrients your body is absorbing, among other things. N.D.s treat the whole person, which means they consider a variety of factors before they diagnose an illness. An N.D. might look at your mental, emotional, and spiritual state; your diet; your family history; your environment; and your lifestyle before making a diagnosis.

How to Find a Good Naturopathic Doctor Near Me

1. Consider what kind of naturopathic practitioner you want.

In some countries, including the US and Canada, there’s a difference between ‘naturopathic physicians’ and ‘naturopaths’ (also known as ‘traditional naturopaths’).

2. Look for naturopathic doctors on the internet.

Most countries and regions have professional bodies which have directories of naturopathic practitioners. Begin your search by looking in these directories for practitioners in your local area. This will help you create a shortlist of potential candidates who are close to where you live.

3. Ask for references.

Talk to other people who’ve used naturopathic doctors, whether from your local community or on internet message boards. They may have useful tips and recommendations about which naturopathic doctor to choose.

4. Look for personal websites.

See if the practices you are investigating have an online presence. If they do, have a look at the website to get a sense of the personality of the doctor and the atmosphere of their practice. This will help give you an initial idea of their personal approaches to medical practice and patient welfare before you go deeper.

5. Look for appropriate credentials.

Because naturopathic regulatory bodies are usually not subject to statutory regulation, the nature and reliability of their qualifications are extremely variable. Research your region's regulatory body or bodies and determine what kind of qualification you should be looking for. If possible, ask others who have used naturopathic doctors which credential-issuing institutions are more reputable.

6. See if you and your doctor are compatible.

It’s important that your doctor has a good bedside manner, and that you get on well with them. Arrange a phone call with your prospective doctor to introduce yourself and get to know them. This will help you understand whether or not your personalities, beliefs, and approaches to healthcare are compatible.

7. Ask about the practice’s policies.

Find out how long it takes to get an appointment, whether same-day appointments are available, and how long patients have to wait before seeing the doctor. The staff at the naturopathic practice should be able to tell you this important information.

Sources:

WebMd

AANMC

Natural Medicine Journal

Taking Charge

Healthline

NEX Wellness

Las Vegas Homeopath

Port Orchard Natural Medicine

GCRN

Mount Sinai

Zaggo Care

ND on Demand

Wikihow

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.