What to Expect from a Naturopathic Doctor
We understand that many people are unfamiliar with naturopathic medicine. To help you increase your understanding and overcome the hesitation for seeking care, we want to explain what to expect when meeting with a naturopathic doctor. First, the scope of practice for naturopathic doctors varies from state to state. Depending on the state where you are seeking care, your expectations can vary from primary care to health consulting services. However, the services provided by naturopathic doctors (NDs) are consistently holistic, integrative, and include several approaches to prevent and treat disease.
In most cases, NDs begin with an in-depth interview to address your health history. Physical examinations, lab assessments, and imaging may be performed. NDs offer unique functional lab assessments which may include hormones, neurotransmitters, heavy metals, food sensitivities, inflammatory markers, and genetics. Functional lab testing allows your treatment plan to be specifically tailored to you. And at the end of every visit you will receive an individualized plan from your doctor.
What makes NDs unique is that they use many ‘modalities’ or different approaches to treat and prevent disease. NDs are trained in the clinical use of dietary supplements, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, mobilization of the muscles and joints, intravenous therapy, minor surgery, and prescription medications. Other treatment modalities available to patients are mindfulness practices, hydrotherapy, biofeedback, and homeopathy. In addition to these tools, you must know that naturopathic doctors choose the best approaches to use by following a therapeutic order.
The therapeutic order is a systematic approach to treatment in naturopathic philosophy. It starts with the gentlest approaches and moves to more high-force interventions like medications and surgery. The therapeutic order assists naturopathic doctors by delivering an effective approach to health that upholds their oath to “First do no harm”. The foundation of the therapeutic order includes making lifestyle changes - things such as exercise, diet, sleep, and stress management. By addressing these basic determinants of health, you can remove obstacles to health and allow your body to heal. NDs call this the healing power of nature or vis for short.
The most distinct therapeutic modalities in naturopathic medicine are botanical medicine and nutrition, including dietary supplements. NDs understand the medical applications of nutrients, foods, and plants and provide this knowledge to their patients to create health and alleviate disease. Plants and foods are often overlooked for their medicinal properties. When used correctly, nutrients and plants contain powerful healing properties. And many natural medicines lead to the development of new pharmaceutical drugs. Work with a naturopathic doctor to ensure you are safely and effectively using natural products with the best dosing and formulation.
NDs also treat the muscles and joints with systematic approaches to movement and mobilization. These techniques work to improve the body’s structural integrity, muscle tone, flexibility and exercise capacity. Movement and mobilization techniques include soft tissue work, post-isometric relaxation, strain-counter-strain, novel movement exercises, nerve flossing, and grade 1-4 mobilizations. In these ways, NDs are proficient in alleviating pain, improving mobility, and increasing range of motion.
Hydrotherapy is another tool used by NDs to promote healing. It consists of applications of hot and cold water, steam baths, and infrared saunas. Hydrotherapy is stimulating to the immune system, promotes circulation and the elimination of toxins. Specific therapies include constitutional hydrotherapy, hot fomentation and cool sheet wraps. Hydrotherapy is a simple, gentle, and effective modality for stimulating a healing response.
In closing, naturopathic doctors provide the best natural and evidence-informed approaches to health for many diseases and health concerns- from the common cold to diabetes. NDs are happy to collaborate with your entire health care team to provide the best care possible. NDs are your ally in a complex healthcare system that doesn’t have the time to sit down with you, educate you about your health, and answer all of your questions. Schedule a free introductory phone call today and see how naturopathic medicine can add value to your health. We are excited to work with you on your healing journey.
