Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine (also known as naturopathy) is a school of medical philosophy and practice that seeks to improve health and treat disease mainly by assisting the body’s innate capacity to recover from illness and injury.

Naturopathic medicine includes a broad array of modalities, including physical medicine, hydrotherapy, botanical (herbal) medicine, acupuncture, counseling, environmental medicine, nutritional counseling, homeopathy, and others. Naturopathic physicians are primary care providers trained in conventional medical sciences, diagnosis and treatment, and are experts in natural therapeutics.

Can Naturopathic Medicine help me?

159The short answer is, “Yes, most likely.” Naturopathic medicine can be helpful for many chronic and acute illnesses. Common colds, gastric and intestinal concerns, high cholesterol, weight issues, ADHD, ulcerative colitis hundreds of other ailments have responded successfully to treatment while clinical studies continue to bring us information about novel treatments and approaches to health. Our naturopathic physician, Dr. Jason Jensen, will spend the time needed for you to understand your health concerns and will work with you to determine a treatment plan that will maximize your healing potential.

Initial visits with a naturopathic doctor begin with a complete health history and a focused physical examination. Lab tests or other diagnostic tests may be necessary, and many, such as a cholesterol check, can be performed in the office the same day as your visit. In addition to a conventional medical history, Dr. Jensen may ask about your diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors in order to identify all aspects contributing to the illness and the way they affect the mind, body and spirit. Your doctor then formulates a treatment plan which may include one or more modalities.

Naturopathic Philosophy

Naturopathic medicine is based on the following six principles:

  • Vis Medicatrix Naturae – “The Healing Power of Nature” – The belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself. The naturopathic doctor provides therapies that support this process.
  • Docere – “Doctor as teacher” – Educating the patient is an important part of the treatment plan.
  • Primum non nocere – “First, do no harm” – The principle to first do no harm is fundamental to the naturopathic practice.
  • Tolle causam – “Treat the cause” – To treat the causes of the disease, rather than the symptoms.
  • Tolle totem – “Treat the whole” – We are dynamic beings that have complex interactions within ourselves and without. because of this nature, the entire person is taken into consideration when diagnosing and treating, including all aspects of the body, mind and spirit.
  • Praevenire – “Prevention” – The belief that prevention is the best medicine for good health

What can Naturopathic Medicine treat?

This is just a short list of what can be treated with naturopathic medicine.

   * ADD/ADHD
   * Alcohol Addiction
   * Anxiety
   * Arthritis
   * Alzheimer’s Disease
   * Autism
   * BPH, Prostate concerns
   * Constipation
   * Colds, flu
   * Cholecystitis
   * Depression
   * Diabetes
   * Eczema
   * Fibromyalgia
   * Gastritis
   * General skin conditions
   * Hypertension
   * Lupus
   * Nail fungus
   * Psoriasis
   * Many other acute and chronic conditions

What training do Naturopathic Doctors receive?

Naturopathic Doctors (N.D.’s or N.M.D.’s) attend a four-year graduate-level naturopathic medical program and are educated in the same basic sciences as in conventional medical school, such as anatomy, physiology, clinical diagnosis, etc, as well as training in naturopathic modalities such as botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, clinical nutrition, etc. Studies concentrate on holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. Graduates become primary care physicians with a specialized focus in preventative medicine and natural therapeutics.

Upon completion of the graduation requirements, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree (N.D.) is awarded. Graduates sit for professional state board exams to become licensed as general practice naturopathic doctors within licensed states or as individual jurisdictions allow.