What is a Naturopathic doctor? Why see a Naturopathic
doctor?
What can I expect in a Naturopathic visit?
Naturopathic doctors offer a unique approach to health and
wellness. ND’s diagnose illness and dis-ease using the same tools as MD’s, taking
a patient history, performing physical exams, ordering lab tests, xrays, and other
diagnostic tests. However, the approach
and methods of treatment are different. The focus is more on what will benefit
this person and lead to better health, overcoming disease by enhancing an
individual healing abilities and less focus on illness or disease.
ND’s use food based nutrition,
nutritional therapy, botanical medicine, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulative
therapy, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, lifestyle and family counseling. Each naturopathic
doctor may practice differently, all practice according to the Principles of
Naturopathic Medicine:
1.
First do
no harm- give nothing that will bring harm or add suffering
2.
Healing
power of nature- the body and mind have inherent knowledge of how to heal
and maintain homeostasis or balance
3.
Treat the
whole person, body, mind, and spirit- we are an integration of these
components, each interacting to allow us to LIVE the life we live, achieve our
goals and dreams.
4.
Doctor as
teacher- from the Greek word, ‘docere’,
to teach, the role of the doctor is to educate people in health and well-being
5.
Remove
any obstacle to cure- identify and remove that which is inhibiting the
ability to be healthy, whether through modifying diet or environment or eliminating
damaging habits
6.
Prevention
as a deterrent to illness and disease
Naturopathic education is extensive, four year of undergraduate
study followed by four years of medical training in an accredited naturopathic
medical school. 2 years of study in the basic sciences, anatomy, physiology,
biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, physical examination and diagnosis, and
laboratory diagnosis. The 3rd
and 4th year of training includes extensive internships in both clinical
and classroom settings and trains doctors in the natural therapeutics as well
as gastroenterology, pediatrics, gerontology, women’s and men’s health,
respiratory medicine, EENT, physical medicine, body mechanics, public health and
more. Licensing regulation and scope of practice for ND’s varies state to state
with about 15 states licensed to date. In Alaska
Naturopathic doctors are trained as the specialists in
alternative therapies. They will guide and assist you in achieving personal
health goals and creating wellness. Many people will see both a naturopathic doctor
and a conventional medical doctor to provide the best collaborative approach to
health.
