Depending on the state, Naturopathic Doctors are licensed and some can write prescriptions for medications or antibiotics when symptoms and illnesses do not respond to less invasive treatments. Also, they can help patients with things like navigating referrals, general health screenings, laboratory testing and illness prevention.
Botanical Medicine, also known as Herbal Medicine, is the use of plant chemical constituents. The constituents are used to treat and sometimes prevent illness or disease. Plants used in botanical medicine have been used for thousands of years to treat medical conditions and maintain health. Even today many pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by doctors are made from these same plant substances.
Physical Medicine is the practice of manipulating the soft tissues, joints, bones, and muscles. This form of medical treatment may be in the form of Kinesio taping, regenerative injections, trigger point injections, craniosacral therapy, myofascial release, cold laser, hydrotherapy, and cupping. Many Naturopathic Doctors advise patients to seek these physical medicine options as they are proven to aid in pain reduction, joint function, and overall general health.
Naturopathic Doctors offer Lifestyle Coaching as part of their treatment of patients. Naturopathic Doctors may coach their patients on dietary health, spiritual or emotional health, stress relief and environmental modifications to promote optimal health. Naturopathic Doctors have a significant focus on educating their patients to understand all aspects of their health and the root cause of the illness.
Naturopathic Medical Providers are also able to handle small in office procedures. This would include things like caring for superficial wounds and PRP facials.
Six Principals That Guide Naturopathic Doctors
Healing Power of Nature
Naturopathic Doctors acknowledge the body’s built-in healing processes as an intelligent system that is ordered and able to self-heal. They utilize medical modalities and techniques to promote and amplify this ability by finding and removing any hurdles to this healing process.
Identifying the Cause
Naturopathic Medicine stands out in the fact that physicians do not merely treat symptoms but strive to identify and treat the underlying cause. Using conventional Medical testing and science-based imaging, doctors can help patients find the source of their ailments.
First, Do No Harm
Naturopathic Doctors follow three important principals to prevent harming patients or causing side effects. These three principals include using the least invasive methods to treat a patient, address the underlying source of the illness, and work with the bodies self-healing abilities vs. against them.
Doctor as Teacher
Naturopathic Doctors see patient education as part of their healing process. Teaching patients how to care for themselves and prevent illness is a crucial factor in Naturopathic Medicine. Education allows patients to be self-accountable in their health, as well as, make good decisions to promote longevity and wellness.
Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic Medicine is an integrative health practice. Recognizing that a patient’s health is a reflection of a combination of factors including physical health, mental health, emotional wellbeing, genetic factors, environmental and social factors. All of these factors are taken into account when treating a patient or creating a preventive health plan.
Maintaining Wellness and Optimal Health
Providing patients with wellness goes beyond only treating their current ailments. Naturopathy also integrates preventive health practices by using diagnostic testing to determine their patient’s risk factors and creating a long-term health plan. Educating patients and forming a partnership in their care is essential to maintaining health.