What is a naturopathic doctor?

NDs are licensed, board-certified doctors who complete 4+ years of holistic medical school, log over 1,000 patient contacts, and complete clinical rotations, OSCEs (in-person standardized patient exams), and licensing exams.

A naturopathic doctor is a holistic doctor who is especially equipped to address chronic illness, hormonal imbalance, thyroid disorders, gut health, and so much more, from a functional perspective.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct health care profession that combines the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science. It is one of the original systems of medicine offering safe, effective patient-centered care that is a vital part of healthcare in the twenty-first century.

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The Six Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

  • First try gentle healing to avoid unecessary side effects

    First Do No Harm

  • NDs work to stimulate the medicatrix, which is our vitality, our inner ability to heal

    The Healing Power of Nature

  • Root causes are what should be diagnosed; not a collection of symptoms

    Identify and Treat the Causes

  • Patient education and understanding your doctor are important.

    Doctor as Teacher

  • Holistic doctors look beyond the physical body to your mental health, emotional health, spiritual health, etc

    Treat the Whole Person

  • Preventative medicine means stopping disease processes before they cause permanent damage

    Prevention

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ND vs. MD: What’s the difference?

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    Naturopathic Doctor

    Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained as primary care physicians who diagnose, treat and manage patients with acute and chronic conditions, while addressing disease and dysfunction at the level of body, mind and spirit.

    Education is holistic and wellness-oriented.

    Curriculum includes biomedical sciences plus botanical medicine, lifestyle, physical medicine and nutrition.

    Insurance plans (including Medicaid) cover NDs in some states.

  • Medical Doctor

    Medical doctors (MDs) are physicians, specialists or surgeons who take a biological approach to healing. They utilize various techniques and tests to diagnose a patient’s symptoms and develop a treatment plan to address the disease.

    Education is disease-specific and heavily pharmaceutical-based.

    The curriculum includes standard biomedical sciences.

    Insurance plans (including Medicaid) cover MDs in all states.

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Care with YOU at the Center

 

The principles of naturopathic medicine are grounded in a philosophy of prevention and patient empowerment. This includes individualized treatment plans and longer appointment durations.

The Naturopathic Therapeutic Order:

Start Gently and Safely

 

1. Remove Obstacles to Health

2. Stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms

3. Strengthen Weakened or Damaged Systems – Restore and Regenerate

4. Correct Structural Integrity

5. Use Natural Therapies to Address Pathology and Symptoms

6. Use Pharmaceutical or Synthetic Substances to Stop Progressive Pathology

7. Use High Force, Invasive Therapies to Suppress Pathology