What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine focusses on the underlying dietary, nutritional, lifestyle, environmental and psychosocial factors that might affect health, and seeks to treat the underlying cause behind the expression of illness. Naturopathic medicine is a system of medicine that assists in the restoration of health by following a set of specific rules. A basic assumption is that nature is orderly, and this orderliness is designed to result in ongoing life and well being. This dependable orderliness is believed to be guided by a kind of inner wisdom that everyone has. This inner wisdom can be assisted to return a person to their best balance by naturopathic treatments.Naturopathic physicians are trained in the art and science of natural healthcare at accredited medical colleges. Integrative partnerships between conventional medical doctors and licensed NDs are becoming more available. This cooperation makes more effective therapies available to consumers. It increases patient satisfaction in their relationships with their care providers. More people are recovering their health by adding naturopathic medicine to their health care options.
What is a licensed Naturopathic Physician (ND) ?
A licensed naturopathic physician (N.D.) attends a four-year post graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences a medical doctor, (M.D.), but also studies holistic and non-toxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, physical therapy, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health). A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he/she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician.
Naturopathic physicians are often called “Physicians Who Listen” due to the fact that your first consultation is often ninety (90) minutes long, assuring that you are heard, respected and understood. ND’s are trained to perform all physical exams, order laboratory tests and thoroughly interpret results so each patient understands their individual health risks. Treatment plans are individualized to meet the unique characteristics and needs of each patient.
Additional information on naturopathic schools can be found on the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges website, www.aanmc.org and the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians website, www.naturopathic.org.
What can I expect from my appointment with a ND?
The first thing that patients find very difficult to believe is that you are spending 90 minutes talking with a doctor. The average time spent with a doctor in a traditional health practice is around 15 mins. A 90 minute consultation; requires a comprehensive history, often going back to the patients early life, and comprehensive details of the current medical issue extending back to the patients early life. A review of systems investigates the health of all the systems of the body. Assessment of emotional well being includes a discussion of the patients lifestyle, current stressors and overall mental state. An assessment and treatment plan will be given to the patient at the culmination of the visit, along with a plan for laboratory testing if necessary.