Unlike many health-care disciplines that seek treatment for symptoms, naturopathic physicians look first for the underlying cause. This involves assessing all aspects of the condition including biochemical and psychosocial contextual ramifications.
Naturopaths believe that the body/mind is able to heal itself provided it is given the proper opportunity. They also promote healthy lifestyles and encourage spiritual development. Call Dr. Anne Berkeley PLLC for trusted advice.
In naturopathy, doctors understand that it is much easier and more cost-effective to prevent disease than to treat it. NDs encourage patients to live healthy lives and make lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of developing common health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and cancer.
In addition, naturopaths believe that illness has multiple causes and is a result of a complex interaction of factors. These include physical, nutritional, emotional, genetic, environmental and spiritual aspects. For this reason, naturopathic medicine focuses on treating the whole person by taking into account all of these areas when determining treatment strategies.
Naturopathic physicians use a variety of techniques to promote wellness, including diet and lifestyle counseling, herbal medicine and acupuncture. These modalities can be used individually or in combination, and they are always personalized to the patient. Naturopathic physicians also recognize that mental health is a key component of overall well-being and offer various strategies to support mental health, including dietary recommendations, stress management and sleep hygiene practices.
A major tenet of naturopathic medicine is that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and doctors aim to identify and remove any barriers to healing. In doing so, they support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment and conserve vital energy, help remove toxins and restore structural integrity and encourage patients to adopt healthy life-styles.
While the naturopathic philosophy is based on many ancient traditions, such as Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, its core is the concept of “tolle totum” or treating the whole person. This principle takes into account the complex interaction of the mind, body and spirit and recognizes that all aspects are interconnected and play a role in health and disease.
While naturopaths are able to diagnose most health conditions, they are not allowed to perform the same types of lab tests as medical doctors. As a result, if they suspect that a health condition is more serious than they can treat on their own, they will refer the patient to a specialist for further testing and a diagnosis.
First Do No Harm
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession that employs therapeutic methods and substances to encourage your inherent self-healing process. These therapies are gentle, non-invasive and highly effective in treating many conditions. They include modern and traditional techniques, such as short-term situational counseling, acupuncture, dietary and lifestyle changes, homeopathy, phytotherapy, classical Chinese medicine, massage therapy, naturopathic physical medicine and more.
The principle of first do no harm is at the heart of naturopathic practice and is one of the Hippocratic Oaths taken by naturopathic physicians. First do no harm means that your naturopathic physician will choose treatments and remedies that are low risk and minimally invasive. It also means that your naturopathic physician will seek to treat the underlying causes of disease rather than suppressing the symptoms of disease (symptoms are expressions of the body’s attempt to adapt and recover, not just the result).
In addition, your naturopathic physician will consider all factors in your life which may have an impact on your health. This includes lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, emotional issues such as stress, social and environmental factors, as well as spiritual challenges. Illness often arises from a combination of these issues and it is important to address all levels to find wellness.
Because naturopathic doctors are trained as primary health care practitioners, they are familiar with the common conditions such as asthma, colds and allergies, high blood pressure, digestive problems, and many other diseases. In addition, naturopathic doctors are educated in a broad range of diagnostic techniques and conventional medical theories so they can make an informed diagnosis. This allows your naturopathic physician to create the most comprehensive treatment plan for you. This individualized approach provides you with the best chances of success. And it is the most cost-effective way to achieve optimum health!
Supporting the Healing Power of Nature
Many naturopathic therapies utilize substances from the natural world. They also emphasize the importance of a healthy natural environment as foundational to human health and healing. This approach supports the body’s innate ability to heal itself. NDs work to identify and treat the underlying physiologic, biochemical, structural or psychospiritual contributor to symptoms. NDs use the least invasive and most safe treatments for the patient, referring out when their patient’s presentation falls outside their scope of practice or level of skill.
The naturopathic philosophy is that there are no side-effects, only results and that the body has an inherent self-organizing and healing process (vis medicatrix naturae). The role of the naturopathic doctor is to support this process by identifying, removing or augmenting obstacles to health and wellness, and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.
A naturopathic physician is a teacher, and their teachings extend beyond their knowledge of medical sciences. They teach patients everything they need to know to maintain a state of health and healing. This is a life-long journey. It requires a commitment to living the principles of prevention of disease, and taking responsibility for one’s actions and their impact on others, one’s family, and community.
It is not uncommon for the body to experience a period of discomfort during this healing process. This is the natural response of the body to clear and detoxify itself, as it seeks to restore balance and health. It is important to stay committed and to work closely with your naturopathic doctor. This will help to ensure that the process is completed as efficiently and effectively as possible, with the minimum amount of discomfort and time.
As a professional healthcare provider, naturopathic doctors must adhere to a code of ethics. This includes practicing within their state’s scope of practice, as well as following yearly continuing education requirements. They must also take the oath of naturopathy. This oath, as well as the Principles of Naturopathic Medicine and Therapeutic Order constructs, helps to guide naturopathic doctors to provide ethical and effective care for their patients.
Using the Whole Person
The naturopathic doctor works with the patient to identify and remove the obstacles to health. This may include the use of therapies such as dietary therapy, constitutional hydrotherapy, botanical medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, and mind-body therapies. These modalities help to stimulate and strengthen the body’s innate healing processes. There is a growing body of research supporting the effectiveness of many of these modalities.
Naturopathic doctors are trained to perform or order physical exams, laboratory testing including nutritional and dietary assessments, metabolic analysis, allergy tests, X-ray exams, and gynecological exams. They are also trained to perform minor surgery such as repairing superficial wounds or removing cysts, and can prescribe medications.
Like any doctor, a naturopathic physician uses objective data such as laboratory results in combination with the patient’s subjective story to determine the most effective treatment strategy. In doing so, they seek to achieve balance and harmony within the whole person.
Rather than using powerful pharmaceutical drugs with their associated short-term side effects, naturopathic physicians strive to help patients avoid these drugs altogether or at least limit the number of times they must be taken. They also recognize that there is more than just the body and take the time to discuss emotional, spiritual, social and mental wellness.
A naturopathic physician will work in partnership with other healthcare professionals to provide their patients with well-rounded care. They might consult with MDs, DCs, DOs, NDs, RNs, registered massage therapists (RMT), and others to ensure their patients get the best possible outcomes.
While naturopathy is an excellent choice for a wide range of ailments, it should not be used in place of conventional medical treatments or as a substitute for emergency care. It should also be avoided for serious illnesses such as cancer, which require the attention of a licensed medical professional. For more information, visit AMA Advocacy in Action and learn about the resources available to fight scope creep. You can also find great tools for educating your policymakers about the differences between doctors and nonphysicians. You can make a difference!