Naturopathic Medicine
“Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage the individuals’ inherent self-healing process. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods.”
You Should See a Naturopathic Doctor When...
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You want a doctor that will treat all of you.
When seeking medical care, it's crucial to find a healthcare professional who recognizes the significance of treating the entirety of a person, especially for women patients. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) specialize in addressing the holistic needs of their patients. Dr. Hannan ensures a comprehensive understanding by dedicating ample time to listen and analyze the genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors influencing women's health during initial consultations that often last an hour or more.
You want to actively participate in managing your own health.
Actively involving individuals in managing their health is a key aspect of naturopathic care. Dr. Hannan empowers her patients by educating them on their body's needs and involving them in decisions regarding their well-being. This approach fosters a sense of empowerment and hope among patients who actively engage in the management of their health.
You want personalized treatment.
Personalized care is paramount for women's well-being. Recognizing that there is no universal solution that fits every individual, NDs craft treatment plans uniquely tailored to the specific health status, goals, and lifestyle of each individual. This personalized approach ensures that patients leave the doctor's office with a plan designed to cater specifically to their individual needs.
You have chronic pain and don’t want to use pharmaceutical drugs to manage it forever.
For those experiencing chronic pain, there's a preference to avoid long-term reliance on pharmaceutical drugs. NDs employ a holistic and long-term strategy to manage chronic pain, steering clear of highly addictive medications. By working collaboratively with patients, they identify a personalized combination of therapies to safely address and manage pain, enabling patients to resume their daily activities.
You want to treat the root cause of an illness, not just the symptoms.
Focusing on the root cause of an illness, rather than merely addressing symptoms, is a cornerstone of naturopathic medicine, particularly beneficial for women facing issues like trouble sleeping, aches and pains, skin rashes, and digestive discomfort. NDs prioritize understanding and treating the underlying causes, providing more effective and sustainable solutions.
You have tried all conventional medical options for diagnosing and treating a health condition.
When conventional medical options fall short in diagnosing and treating complex health conditions naturopathic medicine offers a holistic alternative. NDs utilize both conventional and alternative diagnostic tools, delve into detailed health histories, conduct physical exams, and employ targeted laboratory testing. Additionally, they consider lifestyle factors, exercise history, and social/emotional aspects to comprehensively assess women's needs, thereby uncovering new treatment pathways and options.
Naturopathic Principles
The Healing Power of Nature
(Medicatrix Naturae):
Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in people that is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.
First Do No Harm
(Primum Non Nocere):
Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient:
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Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat;
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Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms; and
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Acknowledge, respect, and work with individuals’ self-healing process.
Identify and Treat the Causes
(Tolle Causam):
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere):
Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship. Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.
Prevention:
Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and by making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.
Source: http://www.naturopathic.org