Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a beautiful blend of traditional wisdom informed by modern research. As doctors, we are trained to diagnose and treat disease, and yet our higher calling is to promote wellness and prevent the development of chronic illness.
The hallmark of naturopathic medicine is its desire to treat the individual, not the illness. This means that two patients with the same disease diagnosis might receive two different treatment plans based on what is actually going on. We recognize that symptoms are the body’s way of communicating with us that something is in a state of imbalance. Our job is to get to know the individual in such a way as to bring their body back into balance.
Most patients comment on the thoroughness of their initial intake and physical examination. They feel “heard” in a way that they might not have ever experienced in a physician’s office. They also enjoy our commitment to collaboration with their existing team of physicians so that their care feels truly integrative.
Our training prepares us to serve as primary care physicians in states where the licensure allows it, including Oregon. This means that we can perform a full diagnostic workup using labs and imaging, and prescribe medications when needed. The classroom medical science education includes anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, radiology, minor surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, EENT, psychology, dermatology, and clinical and physical diagnosis. This is followed by over 1200 hours of clinical training in community-based clinics serving a wide diversity of patients.
Naturopathic Principles
Naturopathic physicians base their practice on six timeless principles founded on medical tradition and scientific evidence:
1. First do no harm. This is truly a tenet amongst all physicians. We will always utilize methods and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side-effects.
2. The body has an innate ability to heal. When barriers to healing are identified and removed, the healing power inherent within our bodies can act. The skilled naturopathic physician identifies these barriers, assists the patient in their removal, and supports the body’s innate ability to heal.
3. Identify and treat causes. Naturopathic physicians understand that symptoms will only return unless the root illness is addressed. Rather than cover up symptoms, they seek to find and treat the cause of these symptoms.
4. Educate patients. Naturopathic medicine believes that doctors must be educators, as well as physicians. That’s why naturopathic physicians teach their patients how to eat, exercise, relax and nurture themselves physically and emotionally. They also encourage self-responsibility and work closely with each patient.
5. Treat the whole person. We each have a unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and spiritual makeup. The naturopathic physician knows that all these factors affect our health. That’s why these factors are considered in the development of an individualized treatment plan.
6. Prevention. Prevention is proactive and will ultimately save money, pain, misery and lives. That’s why a naturopathic physician will evaluate your risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease and will make appropriate recommendations to prevent illness.
The hallmark of naturopathic medicine is its desire to treat the individual, not the illness. This means that two patients with the same disease diagnosis might receive two different treatment plans based on what is actually going on. We recognize that symptoms are the body’s way of communicating with us that something is in a state of imbalance. Our job is to get to know the individual in such a way as to bring their body back into balance.
Most patients comment on the thoroughness of their initial intake and physical examination. They feel “heard” in a way that they might not have ever experienced in a physician’s office. They also enjoy our commitment to collaboration with their existing team of physicians so that their care feels truly integrative.
Our training prepares us to serve as primary care physicians in states where the licensure allows it, including Oregon. This means that we can perform a full diagnostic workup using labs and imaging, and prescribe medications when needed. The classroom medical science education includes anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, radiology, minor surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, EENT, psychology, dermatology, and clinical and physical diagnosis. This is followed by over 1200 hours of clinical training in community-based clinics serving a wide diversity of patients.
Naturopathic Principles
Naturopathic physicians base their practice on six timeless principles founded on medical tradition and scientific evidence:
1. First do no harm. This is truly a tenet amongst all physicians. We will always utilize methods and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side-effects.
2. The body has an innate ability to heal. When barriers to healing are identified and removed, the healing power inherent within our bodies can act. The skilled naturopathic physician identifies these barriers, assists the patient in their removal, and supports the body’s innate ability to heal.
3. Identify and treat causes. Naturopathic physicians understand that symptoms will only return unless the root illness is addressed. Rather than cover up symptoms, they seek to find and treat the cause of these symptoms.
4. Educate patients. Naturopathic medicine believes that doctors must be educators, as well as physicians. That’s why naturopathic physicians teach their patients how to eat, exercise, relax and nurture themselves physically and emotionally. They also encourage self-responsibility and work closely with each patient.
5. Treat the whole person. We each have a unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and spiritual makeup. The naturopathic physician knows that all these factors affect our health. That’s why these factors are considered in the development of an individualized treatment plan.
6. Prevention. Prevention is proactive and will ultimately save money, pain, misery and lives. That’s why a naturopathic physician will evaluate your risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease and will make appropriate recommendations to prevent illness.