Naturopathic Medicine
Healing that honors the connection of mind, body, and spirit. Ancient wisdom meets evidence-based natural therapies to support you holistically.
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a holistic, integrative and root-cause-based approach to healthcare. Naturopathic doctors seek to find the cause of your symptoms, instead of treating the symptoms alone, focusing on all parts of the patient in the healing process. Ample time is devoted to unearthing the root cause of conditions and understanding you as a whole.
Naturopathic medicine encompasses a large toolbox of modalities, ranging from nutrition counseling, to botanical medicine, physical medicine, and more, all of which can support individuals with conditions like gastrointestinal issues, hormonal imbalances, physical aches and pains, mental illness, to environmental and complex chronic illness.
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) defines Naturopathic Medicine as "a distinct primary care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals' inherent self-healing process. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods.”
The Six Principles of Naturopathic Medicine:
Do No Harm
Core to all medical practice is the desire to help the human form and condition. NDs typically approach care by utilizing the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies, referring when the patient’s presentation is outside their scope or level of skill.
The Healing Power of Nature
NDs recognize the value of our natural world in assisting the healing process, utilizing not only substances that originate in nature, but also incorporating a healthy natural environment as foundational to human health.
Identify and Treat the Causes
There is a time and place for symptom suppression, however most naturopathic patients will benefit from identifying the underlying causes of illness and removing obstacles to cure.
Doctor as Teacher
Naturopathic doctors elevate patient health literacy, helping patients have a better understanding of what it takes to be and stay well. Through education and a trust-based relationship, patients gain a clearer idea of the steps they need to take to achieve and maintain health.
Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic doctors understand the interconnectedness of our body, our environment, and our lifestyle on total health. It is only through this whole-person-based approach that NDs seek to restore balance and health.
Prevention
Naturopathic medicine affirms that it is better to prevent illness and suffering whenever possible. Through their comprehensive practice, NDs combine all six principles in order to identify potential areas of imbalance and teach patients how to get well and stay well.
Modalities
Lab ordering and analysis
(including functional labs)
Gain profound insights into your body's inner workings through comprehensive lab analysis and functional labs, guiding personalized health solutions tailored to your unique biochemistry and well-being goals.
Nutritional and lifestyle counseling
The right food and lifestyle choices can be pillars of your well-being. Together, we’ll evaluate what’s best for you and set you on a path of improved routines.
Craniosacral therapy
Experience this subtle yet profound and non-invasive healing technique where a gentle touch can lead to significant improvements in your well-being. Targeting the body’s connective tissue can help alleviate pain, relieve stress, and promote relaxation.
Botanical and herbal medicine
Botanical and herbal medicine offers a range of natural healing options. Together, we’ll lay out a holistic approach to your health which includes botanical and herbal remedies.
Visceral Manipulation
This gentle, manual therapy technique focuses on the body’s internal organs, primarily within the abdominal area and aims to release restrictions and unhealthy compensations that cause pain and dysfunction, helping with organ function and mobility.
Supplementation and pharmacology
(pharmaceuticals only in the state
of Oregon)
We’ll first recognize and understand your needs, then unlock the potential of your optimal health with carefully-chosen supplements and pharmacology, covering both nutritional gaps and health concerns.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
This specialized treatment involves a combination of exercises, manual therapy, and biofeedback to strengthen or relax your pelvic muscles, improving your symptoms and quality of life.
Naturopathic Therapeutic Order
“The Therapeutic Order guides how the naturopathic principles are applied, and is based on the idea that the human body possesses an inherent drive to heal itself. It posits that the least amount of force be employed in order to promote gentle, safe and long-lasting health and well-being.
The Therapeutic Order characterizes the natural progression of naturopathic therapeutic recommendations to maximize patient benefit and reduce the potential for damage or harm. Naturopathic care ultimately focuses on the individual and what is best for them at that moment in time.”
*More info here: https://aanmc.org/featured-articles/therapeutic-order/
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F.A.Q.
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Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are trained in both conventional standards of care as well as traditional and holistic healing modalities, including botanical medicine, behavioral medicine, and hydrotherapy, to name a few. NDs play a key role in their patients’ healthcare team, providing a unique perspective to support the healing of the whole person.
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A licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) attends a four year CNME-accredited medical school. The CNME is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and classifies NDs as Doctorate Professional degrees, similar to MDs and DOs.
During Naturopathic Medical school, the first two years are allocated to basic sciences (anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, and more), similar to the MD curriculum. The final two years are allocated to clinical sciences, including diagnosis and treatment (both allopathic and naturopathic approach) and hands-on clinical rotations.
In order for a ND to become licensed, they must pass two national exams, NPLEX1, which covers the basic sciences learned the first two years and NPLEX2, which covers the clinical sciences learned the final two years.
Upon graduating, NDs have both the knowledge of allopathic care, including standard pharmaceutical approaches, as well as a vast toolkit of holistic approaches that includes herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, physical medicine, and more.
Follow this link to see requirements and how ND training compares to MD’s and DO’s.
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Naturopathic doctors are trained in pharmacology and may prescribe prescriptions depending on the state regulations. Dr. Garfinkle holds a license in Oregon where she has full prescriptive authority and can prescribe to patients located in Oregon. She cannot prescribe to patients in Colorado.
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While both traditional naturopaths and licensed naturopathic doctors aim to help the body heal through natural substances, such as food, herbs, and water, their education is very different, and their scope of practice and regulatory status vary from state to state, and province to province—and, in some states and provinces, there are not yet any regulations pertaining to any types of naturopathic practice. Thus, traditional naturopathy, or health coaching, differs from the practice of naturopathic medicine.
The titles “traditional naturopath” and “naturopathic doctor” (or “naturopathic physician” and/or “naturopathic medical doctor”) are not interchangeable. A licensed naturopathic doctor (ND/NMD) is a primary care physician who is trained to diagnose and prescribe, while a traditional naturopath is not licensed to do either. In some states where naturopathic medicine is not yet a regulated medical profession, a traditional naturopath may, on their own, choose to use the title “naturopathic doctor,” which is confusing to patients looking for a licensed ND.
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Some common naturopathic treatment modalities include herbal medicine, acupuncture, nutrition and lifestyle counseling, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, and physical medicine.
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To find a qualified naturopathic doctor in your area, you can check with your state or province's medical board for a list of licensed practitioners. You can also check the website of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) or the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) to find a naturopathic doctor near you.
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Naturopathic doctors (NDs) undergo a comprehensive training program that integrates conventional medical sciences with natural medicine modalities. This journey begins with an undergraduate degree, often in a science-related field such as biology or chemistry. However, various undergraduate backgrounds are also accepted.
Following undergraduate studies, aspiring NDs enroll in a four-year accredited naturopathic medical school. Here, they delve into core medical sciences like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, and pharmacology. Concurrently, they study naturopathic principles and therapies such as herbal medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, counseling, and lifestyle interventions.
Clinical training is a cornerstone of naturopathic medical education. Under the supervision of experienced NDs, students gain practical experience in diagnosing and treating patients. This hands-on training typically occurs in teaching clinics associated with naturopathic medical schools or through internships at private practices.
Upon completion of their education, naturopathic doctors must pass rigorous licensing exams to obtain licensure. The Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) assess their readiness to practice independently. Licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction, with additional criteria in some states or provinces.
Continuing education is vital for NDs to maintain licensure and remain current in the field. This involves participating in seminars, workshops, conferences, and self-directed study.
Follow this link to see requirements and how ND training compares to MD’s and DO’s.