Why Seeing a Naturopathic Doctor is Great for You!

First of all, what is a naturopathic doctor? There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what a naturopathic doctor actually is and what they do. Are they witch doctors? Hippies? Naturopathic doctors are indeed real doctors that are regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario. They require a science based undergraduate degree before going through another 4 years of intense schooling at an accredited naturopathic college. They must also pass two sets of the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations. Naturopathic doctors are trained in many areas, including acupuncture, botanical medicine, nutrition, lifestyle counselling, diagnosing, physical examinations, and lab tests, among others. They are evidence based practitioners, which means they treat based on what the research shows.

It sounds like naturopathic doctors do a lot of the same things as medical doctors, how are they different?

Medical doctors have a different scope than naturopathic doctors, they are able to prescribe pharmaceutical medication, perform surgeries and certain procedures. Naturopathic doctors prescribe natural alternatives to medication, and do not perform surgeries. These treatments are safe, natural, and they help promote the body’s natural healing ability. Naturopathic doctors can treat most of the same conditions that medical doctors treat. If anything is out of their scope, then a referral will be done to ensure the patient receives the proper care. It is not that naturopathic medicine replaces traditional medicine, it works in conjunction with it to provide patients with integrative care.

So what’s so great about seeing a naturopathic doctor?

Naturopathic doctors are primary care providers that take the time to do a thorough health history and examine all aspects of health. They will never tell a patient that they are limited to discussing only one symptom in a visit, in fact, it is the opposite, they want to know everything that’s going on! Naturopathic doctors will give patients the time and attention that they need. Naturopathic medicine is holistic; not only is a patient’s physical health evaluated, but also their mental, emotional, social, and environmental health. It isn’t just about treating, it also involves prevention and education. Education is crucial to preventing many diseases and conditions that would otherwise need intense medications, treatment or surgery. Naturopathic doctors always want to find the root cause of disease and not just put a temporary band aid solution on the problem. This ensures that the real problem is identified and addressed. Another great thing about naturopathic medicine is that it is very individualized medicine. Treatment plans are tailored to each patient. Since each person is unique, why shouldn’t treatment plans be unique as well? These treatment plans are comprised of the different naturopathic modalities in order to address all components of health. A naturopathic doctor will work with patients to determine which treatments work for them and are best suited for their lifestyle. This means that naturopathic doctors get patients involved in their own healthcare by encouraging them to be proactive. So, when should someone see a naturopathic doctor? Naturopathic medicine can help with a variety of conditions, ranging from stress to migraines to digestive problems, and more. There are also patients who see naturopathic doctors for general health maintenance or health optimization as well. Essentially, anyone can see a naturopathic doctor, for any reason, at any time in their life.

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Why seeing a Naturopathic Doctor is great for you!