What is a Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) ?
A Holistic or Naturopathic doctor undergoes rigorous training before he or she becomes a licensed or board certified wellness practitioner. Naturopathic physicians work in private practices, hospitals, clinics, and community health centers, throughout the United States and Canada.
“Holistic” is a broad encompassing term to describe a variety of therapies that attempt to treat the patient as a whole person. “Naturopathic” medicine is based on the theory that disease can be successfully treated or prevented without the use of drugs.
Naturopathic physicians treat the body as a whole, affecting all medical conditions, and can provide both individual and family health care. The lifestyle changes they can affect include common ailments such as allergies, chronic pain, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, obesity, respiratory conditions, heart disease, fertility problems, menopause, adrenal fatigue, cancer, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
FIRST VISIT
A naturopathic physician will take time with you. During your first appointment, your doctor will note your health history, learn about your diet, stress levels, use of tobacco and alcohol, and discuss what brought you there. He or she may perform an examination and order diagnostic tests.
Naturopathic physicians keep themselves up-to-date on the latest scientific research and incorporate this evidence into their treatments. The naturopathic physician will work with you to set up a customized health management strategy. If necessary, your doctor will refer you to other health-care practitioners.
A first visit with a client may last one to two hours, with follow-up visits ranging from 30 to 60 minutes, although this varies depending on the ND. Naturopathic physicians need sufficient time to ask questions and gain an understanding of the patient’s health goals. NDs also need time do an appropriate examination and teach his or her clients about managing their condition and improving their health.
Furthermore, a naturopathic physician may utilize diagnostic tests to fully understand their patient’s health status. Besides taking the time to carefully and fully assess a patient’s root problem, the naturopathic physician brings to the client a whole new arsenal of treatments and insights. Optimal health is not the absence of disease. Instead of waiting for a disease to manifest itself, NDs work to head it off before it happens.
Source: Naturopathic.org
This Naturopathic Doctor (Dr. Crenshaw, ND) combines the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science. Steeped in traditional healing methods, principles and practices, naturopathic medicine focuses on holistic, pro-active prevention and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. By using protocols that minimize the risk of harm, naturopathic physicians help facilitate the body’s inherent ability to restore and maintain optimal health. It is the naturopathic physician’s role to identify and remove barriers to good health by helping to create an internal and external environment that heals.