Naturopathic physicians are clinically trained in a wide variety of medical systems and licensed in the state of Washington as primary care physician. Some of the natural therapies practiced by Naturopathic physicians are:
Clinical Nutrition
Nutrition and the therapeutic use of foods have always been a cornerstone of Naturopathic medicine. A growing body of scientific knowledge in this area is reflected in numerous professional journals or nutrition and dietary sciences, validating the Naturopathic approach to diet and nutrition. Many medical conditions can be treated as effectively with foods and nutritional supplements as they can be by any other means, but with fewer complications and side effects. Naturopathic physicians receive more than 140 classroom hours in clinical nutrition; most medical doctors receive fewer than 20 hours.
Homeopathic Medicine
This powerful system of medicine is more than 200 years old, and is widely accepted in other countries. Homeopathic medicines, when properly prescribed, effect the body’s “vital force” and strengthen its innate ability to heal. Homeopathic remedies function on both the physical and emotional levels and seldom have side effects. Some conditions for which conventional medicine has no effective treatment respond well to homeopathy.
Botanical Medicine
Many plant substances are powerful, gentle, effective medicines, with advantages over conventional drugs. They are effective and safe when used properly, in the right dose and in the proper combinations with other herbs and treatments. Botanical medicine can be prepared in many forms – teas, tinctures, capsules. Naturopathic physicians are trained in both the art and science of botanical medicine.
Physical Medicine
Physical medicine offers treatment for musculoskeletal concerns. Treatments vary and include soft tissue work (including therapeutic massage), spinal manipulation, physiotherapy using heat and cold, gentle electrical impulses, ultrasound, diathermy, hydrotherapy, cranio-sacral therapy and exercise therapy.
Psychological Counseling
Mental attitudes and emotional states can important elements in healing and disease. Naturopathic physicians are trained in various psychological techniques. Psychological counseling offers support for those exploring the mind/body connection, short term situational counseling, and couples counseling.
Pharmaceutical Medicine
While not the first option we reach for, NDs are licensed to prescribe almost all prescription medications in the state of Washington.
Cranio-Sacral Treatment:
Cranio-sacral Therapy is a gentle form of hands-on bodywork that releases restrictions that may be held anywhere in the body. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, the Cranio-Sacral rhythm can be felt throughout the body in the connective tissues that hold our muscles and bones in place.
Modern life, with all its stresses and challenges, often creates blocks and constrictions. When our body gets out of alignment, such as when we are injured, in pain or ill, pregnant, our natural rhythms lose their usual form. This therapy helps the body release blocks and re-establish it’s natural rhythm. Cranio-sacral Therapy is also helpful in releasing emotional blocks that are affecting our body’s well-being. Additionally, Cranio-sacral is extremely useful in treating young children with frequent ear infections and newborns soon after birth to release any residual birth trauma.
Cranio-sacral Therapy is a versatile tool. Used in combination with emotional dialoguing techniques, it becomes even more powerful. These dialoguing techniques allow the patient to confer with their body’s innate wisdom. This inner wisdom, combined with the knowledge of a skilled practitioner, allow the true causes of illnesses to emerge. This helps the practitioner and patient create treatment plans that work to meet your deeper needs as a whole person. Both the symptoms and the root causes of illness can be treated. Healing often happens on profound levels.
Biotherapeutic Drainage:
Biotherapeutic drainage is an elegant, gentle, yet deeply-acting therapy that accomplishes profound organ-specific detoxification. Although relatively to the U.S., physicians in Europe have utilized this specialized form of homeopathy, with remarkable success, for more than a century, to facilitate the excretion of toxins stored within cells—toxins which inhibit proper function within an organ or organ system, and ultimately throughout the entire body. The elimination of these toxins facilitates the body’s ability to increase its vital force and heal itself from chronic degenerative disease. Biotherapeutic drainage increases the effectiveness of other therapies.
Preconception:
Coming soon...
Chronic Conditions:
Naturopathic physicians often serve as a primary care physicians. Additionally, they can provide excellent complementary care for co-management of severe illnesses including but not limited to:
- high blood pressure
- elevated cholesterol
- heart disease
- obesity
- thyroid dysfunction
- diabetes
- macular degeneration
- cognitive decline
- dementia (Alzheimers and vascular)
- osteoporosis
- arthritis
- acid reflux
- constipation and diarrhea
- IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- colds and flu
- liver dysfunction
- bladder dysfunction
- asthma
- allergies