Naturopathic Medicine is a system of primary health care focusing on wellness, education, and prevention by identifying the root cause. A naturopath utilizes conventional medical assessment and laboratory diagnostics combined with a broad range of alternative modalities.  Naturopathic Medicine is a vital component of health care of which treatments can be utilized on their own or concurrently with conventional health care.  Naturopathic Medicine focuses on the disease process in comparison to isolating it as an entity.

Naturopathic medicine is a diverse system of primary health care that strives to support the body’s own ability to heal.  Modalities of treatment may include acupuncture/Traditional Chinese Medicine, orthomolecular medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, clinical nutrition, nutritional therapies, intravenous therapies, and lifestyle counseling.

Botanical Medicine

Utilization of plant parts as healing and nutritional adjuncts in treatment and prevention of the body.  Multiple or individual parts of the plant may be used such as the flower, root, leaves or oils as part of the medicinal remedy.  They may be prescribed as teas, tinctures, ointments, essential oils, or supplements.  As there can be the potential for adverse drug reactions with prescription medication or over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, your ND will carefully review your health history before recommending a specific botanical remedy as part of your treatment plan.

Orthomolecular Medicine (OM)

A classification of medicine, first discussed by Nobel-Prize winner Linus Pauling, focuses on bringing back optimal equilibrium of the internal cellular environment by correcting imbalances and deficiencies based on individual biochemistry.  It utilizes medicines such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, trace elements and fatty acids.  OM takes into consideration influence of genetic factors on the physical characteristics and internal biochemical balance of a cell.  NDs then look at the genetic differences and focus on finding individual patient, internal balance, also known as biochemical homeostasis.

Homeopathic Medicine

An avenue of medicine, dating back to the 1700s, that works on a non-toxic level, homeopathy supports the body’s own means of physical and emotional healing through stimulating our internal ‘vital force’, yielding minimal side effects.  Homeopathy is based on three major principles: i) like treats like (Law of Similars); ii) the more dilute the remedy, the stronger the medicine is (Law of the Infinitesimal Dose); and iii) every illness is specific to the individual (holistic medical approach).  Medicines are formulated using a variety of sources such as plant, animal or mineral substances.

Nutritional Medicine

Nutrition plays a paramount role in preventative health care and disease treatment.  Naturopaths look closely at individual nutritional needs, dietary requirements, by analyzing current lifestyle and diet, assessing current and essential nutritional components and advising patients on the best recommendations indicated in their own unique case.  Nutritional medicine can be closely paired with lifestyle counseling, orthomolecular medicine, and IV therapies as part of a patient’s overall treatment plan.