Naturopathic Medicine
The practice of naturopathic medicine is based on the understanding of the body’s ability to heal itself. When people experience signs and symptoms of illness, these serve as an indicator that there is an imbalance or a problem within the body. Ignoring symptoms doesn’t make the problem go away and often the signs and symptoms worsen until one has to pay attention and seek medical help.
In some cases, people experience symptoms but the cause is undetermined so symptoms are ignored or are overlooked and become a new ‘normal.’ It is important to understand that our bodies are wise and use signs and symptoms to let us know when there is an imbalance. This imbalance could be cumulative; it could be based upon a lack or excess of nutritional factors; could be created by daily habits, infection or environmental issues. Instead of ignoring the problem or suppressing symptoms through the use of medicines designed to alleviate or hide symptoms to ‘help you get through your day,’ naturopathic medicine looks to support the body in dealing with these assaults in a more comfortable and efficient way. In other words, naturopathic medicine works with the body, not against it. The goal of naturopathic medicine is always to find the cause of the imbalance by allowing symptoms to guide us to the root cause of the illness or disease.
About Naturopathic Doctors are board certified experts in natural medicine?
Naturopathic doctors seek to uncover any underlying cause for an individual’s health concerns in an effort to prevent and reverse illness, rather than simply treat symptoms. Various factors including environmental irritants and food sensitivities are considered in order to work towards a goal of holistic and comprehensive support. Naturopathic doctors collaborate with all branches of medicine, referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate. NDs are pledged to fostering individual and community health through the application of naturopathic principles.
What to Expect From Your Visit with Velise Total Health Naturopathic Doctor
During your first visit, your Naturopathic physician at Velise Total Health will gather information about your past and present medical history. They will ask for details about current concerns and symptoms but will also ask in depth questions to gain an overall picture of you, your lifestyle, your habits, family history and outside influences which may be impacting your overall health. They will inquire about your current diet, medications, stress levels, as well as your long-term health goals. During this process your ND works to create a trusting, healing environment in which patients feel at ease and are able to share fully their concerns from a physical, mental and emotional perspective.
The History of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine experienced a decline in the mid-20th century with the rise of technological medicine, pharmaceutical drugs, and the quick-fix idea that drugs and surgery could eliminate all diseases. Over the past three decades, a health conscious public has increasingly sought healing through natural medicine. Naturopathic medicine has served in this capacity as a natural, useful, and cost-effective solution.
Naturopathic Medicine adheres to six principles:
2. Identify and treat the cause
3. Do no harm
4. Doctor as teacher
5. Treat the whole person
6. Prevent illness and preserve health
The practice of naturopathic medicine is based on the understanding of the body’s ability to heal itself. When people experience signs and symptoms of illness, these symptoms serve as an indicator that there is an imbalance or a problem. Ignoring these symptoms doesn’t make the problem go away; often times the signs and symptoms worsen until one has to pay attention and gain medical help. In some cases, people experience symptoms of a problem but the cause is undetermined or it is overlooked. However, the body is wise, using signs and symptoms to let you know that there is an imbalance. This imbalance could be cumulative or based upon lack or excess of nutritional factors, daily habits, infection or environmental issues. Instead of ignoring or suppressing symptoms or signs of a problem, naturopathic medicine looks to support the body to deal with these assaults in a more comfortable and efficient way – in other words, working with the body, not against it. The goal is to find the cause of the imbalance and use the symptoms to guide and lead one to finding the cause of disease.