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Home » Articles » Relationships
Naturopathic doctors: Your "green" allies
* From the Editrix: This feature is the first in an occasional series where we bring in health care experts who explain what they do and how you might find a similar health care provider in your area. Please remember that we're not docs - we're not trying to tell you how to treat yourself, simply showing you an option to consider. Always tell your primary care providers about new treatments you wish to try before going for it.
by Stephanie Draus, ND
Natural medicine is experiencing a renaissance in North America. We know that eating the right foods and taking the right supplements can help us to avoid or minimize some of our most common ailments. Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to separate fads and "miracle cures" from time-honored remedies. So who do we turn to? One option is to find a health-care professional who is trained in the art and science of natural medicine.
That's where I come in - I am a Naturopathic Doctor (ND). Like thousands of my colleagues nationwide, I am trained as a primary care physician who specializes in natural methods. I graduated from the National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, Ore., and am licensed as a Naturopathic Physician by the State of Oregon (14 states in the U.S. license NDs - as does most of Canada, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico).
I chose to return to my home state of Illinois to practice. Illinois doesn't license NDs (yet), so I practice as a "health consultant." What's the difference? Physicians can treat and diagnose their patients; they can order testing and perform invasive procedures. As a health consultant, I make recommendations, and refer my patients to their MD for necessary testing. In most cases, my patients already have a diagnosis (or several); what I provide is a different approach to healing.
NDs in North America learn many approaches to healing: herbal medicine, homeopathy, clinical nutrition, manipulation and bodywork, counseling, minor surgery, and more. You will probably not find an ND who uses all of these modalities, all of the time. Those of us in unlicensed states avoid invasive procedures (e.g., minor surgery); and each of us has particular strengths. My practice, for instance, focuses on herbs, nutrition, and lifestyle counseling. Although my practice is more limited here than it would be in Oregon, it suits my needs - and those of my patients - just fine to work within these parameters.
Who can be helped by an ND?
Almost anyone, but here a few examples of conditions I see regularly:
- Common chronic illnesses: diabetes, GERD, allergies
- Autoimmune/inflammatory conditions: RA, FM, scleroderma
- Acute illnesses: colds, flu, strains & sprains
- Those requesting guidance re: healthy eating & general wellness
How do we help patients?
The new slogan of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) is "Physicians Who Listen." You see, it isn't so much the natural methods we use that make us different; it is the way we work with our patients. There are six Principles of Naturopathic Medicine:
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): We believe that there is an innate wisdom in the body and in nature, and we seek to work with that wisdom whenever possible.
Identify and Treat the Causes (ToIle Causam): We endeavor to find the true cause of a patient’s symptoms--the root of the problem.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): Part of the oath which guides all physicians.
Doctor As Teacher (Docere): We strive to educate and empower our patient.
Treat the Whole Person: We view the body as a connected whole.
Prevention: The key to health is preventing illness and harm before it starts. It is said that NDs, with our focus on nutrition, lifestyle, and stress management, are the best practitioners of preventive medicine.
We help our patients by listening to their side of the story, applying our knowledge of diagnostic methods, and delving into their words as well as their signs and symptoms in order to understand the true cause of their illness. We believe that every patient that sits in front of us is unique, and each treatment plan we create reflects that uniqueness. As an example:
Two women in their 40s have Type 2 Diabetes; neither suffers from complications, but both struggle to maintain their blood sugar at an acceptable level. For both, I recommend daily exercise and dietary changes. Patient 1 suffers from mild insomnia. I recommend a formula of hypoglycemic herbs and a gently relaxing tea to drink before bed, and meditation. Patient 2 is concerned about bone health (her mother has osteoporosis). I recommend a similar hypoglycemic formula and a tea made of "bone building" herbs, containing calcium, magnesium and other minerals vital to bone health.
Both patients are concurrently being treated with conventional medicine, and their MDs support their use of natural medicine. The strength of the simple changes we've made is demonstrated by their improved health and lowered blood sugars.
Can NDs and conventional physicians work together?
Of course! Many NDs work with or for MDs. If you would like to add an ND to your treatment team, it is important to broach the subject with your primary care physician and other docs. Acceptable responses include: full support of your wishes; curiosity; and the honest admission that "I don't know much about natural medicine."
The unacceptable response? To forbid your use of natural medicine, or to otherwise make clear that the doctor is threatened by your use of unfamiliar methods. This goes both ways; avoid the practitioner of alternative medicine who wishes you to abandon conventional medicine entirely.
Both approaches have their place; just remember to inform each of your practitioners about your combined treatments. Before I recommend any herb or supplement, I need to know what pharmaceuticals you are taking; by the same token, your other docs need to know what I have recommended. Ideally, your caregivers are united by our focus on you.
When searching for an ND:
Look for a graduate of an accredited 4-year Naturopathic Medical college. They should hold a valid license, even if they are not practicing in the issuing state; this guarantees that there is a governing body that sets standards for their education and has disciplinary power over them. The AANP maintains a database of member NDs; most states also have professional associations (including Illinois). If you are curious about natural medicine, find yourself an ND and get to work!
Stephanie Draus, ND is the owner of Stellaria Natural Health, an innovative wellness center located in Chicago. She strives to help patients create real, lasting changes in their lives and in their relationship to their bodies. She lectures around Chicagoland on natural and herbal medicine, and is a lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine's Chicago campus. She is also an accomplished performer who teaches Belly Dance for Beginners twice a week at Stellaria, and hosts a regular Hafla (belly dance performance/party) at a local café. You can contact her here, and check out her her new Naturopathic blog.
Posted: 1/17/2007 in Relationships
