What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct medical profession that offers both primary and specialized medical care. Naturopathic
medicine can best be described by the education of a naturopathic doctor, modalities used, and approach to treatment.
Naturopathic Education
Licensed Naturopathic Doctors (ND/NMD) have attended a 4-year post graduate accredited medical school, taken
standardized national board exams in the medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, biochemistry) and
naturopathic modalities (see below). Once in practice, NDs are licensed and regulated by state naturopathic medical boards.
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct medical profession that offers both primary and specialized medical care. Naturopathic
medicine can best be described by the education of a naturopathic doctor, modalities used, and approach to treatment.
Naturopathic Education
Licensed Naturopathic Doctors (ND/NMD) have attended a 4-year post graduate accredited medical school, taken
standardized national board exams in the medical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, biochemistry) and
naturopathic modalities (see below). Once in practice, NDs are licensed and regulated by state naturopathic medical boards.
- Clinical Nutrition
- Botanical Medicine
- Homeopathy
- Physical Medicine
- Environmental Medicine
- Hydrotherapy
- Acupuncture
- Lab Analysis
- Pharmacology
- Minor Surgery
Naturopathic Modalities
Naturopathic doctors are trained in a set of treatment modalities that focus on getting to the
root of the patient’s condition. See box at right. Because of the significant impact of diet on
health, naturopaths often use clinical nutrition as a starting point of treatment. From there,
naturopaths can use a variety of the other modalities according to their medical judgment
and preferences of the patient. Of particular interest to patients with auto-immune conditions
is environmental medicine. This modality recognizes the impact of the environment on health
in general and the immune system in particular. In treating an environmentally sensitive
patient, naturopaths will work to reduce toxic exposure through diet and lifestyle changes,
assess toxic body burden, and use treatments that improve the body’s own detoxification
function (e.g., GI status, liver function, chelation therapy). Naturopaths also use conventional
as well as specialized laboratory testing and are trained in the use of pharmacology and
minor surgery when appropriate.
Naturopathic doctors are trained in a set of treatment modalities that focus on getting to the
root of the patient’s condition. See box at right. Because of the significant impact of diet on
health, naturopaths often use clinical nutrition as a starting point of treatment. From there,
naturopaths can use a variety of the other modalities according to their medical judgment
and preferences of the patient. Of particular interest to patients with auto-immune conditions
is environmental medicine. This modality recognizes the impact of the environment on health
in general and the immune system in particular. In treating an environmentally sensitive
patient, naturopaths will work to reduce toxic exposure through diet and lifestyle changes,
assess toxic body burden, and use treatments that improve the body’s own detoxification
function (e.g., GI status, liver function, chelation therapy). Naturopaths also use conventional
as well as specialized laboratory testing and are trained in the use of pharmacology and
minor surgery when appropriate.
Naturopathic Approach to Treatment
The most significant difference between naturopathic and conventional medicine is in the philosophy of treatment. To a
naturopath, the body has an innate ability to heal. The prevalence of most chronic disease is thought therefore to be due to
dietary and lifestyle habits and often suppressive drug therapies that prevent normal healing mechanisms in the body. The
role of the naturopath is to uncover obstacles that prevent these curative bodily mechanisms. As part of this process,
naturopaths recognize the significant impact the patient has on their own health and spends time educating the patient as to
why treatments are done and how the patient can become actively involved in their own health.
Naturopathic Medicine at Arthritis Health
Arthritis Health has two naturopathic doctors, Drs. Leslie Axelrod and Keith Wilkinson, on staff. To see what naturopathic
medicine can offer you, schedule an appointment today.
The most significant difference between naturopathic and conventional medicine is in the philosophy of treatment. To a
naturopath, the body has an innate ability to heal. The prevalence of most chronic disease is thought therefore to be due to
dietary and lifestyle habits and often suppressive drug therapies that prevent normal healing mechanisms in the body. The
role of the naturopath is to uncover obstacles that prevent these curative bodily mechanisms. As part of this process,
naturopaths recognize the significant impact the patient has on their own health and spends time educating the patient as to
why treatments are done and how the patient can become actively involved in their own health.
Naturopathic Medicine at Arthritis Health
Arthritis Health has two naturopathic doctors, Drs. Leslie Axelrod and Keith Wilkinson, on staff. To see what naturopathic
medicine can offer you, schedule an appointment today.
Naturopathic Treatments
available at Arthritis Health
For Conditions such as . . .
available at Arthritis Health
- Nutritional Therapy
- Comprehensive Supplementation
- IV Nutrient Therapy
- Detoxification Protocols
- Chelation Protocols
- Acupuncture
- Myer's IV Cocktail
- Heavy Metal Testing
- GI Function Testing
- Fatty Acid Analysis
- Food Allergy Testing
- Organic Acid Testing
- Neurotransmitter Profiles
- and more . . .
For Conditions such as . . .
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Sjogren's Syndrome
- Scleroderma
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Lupus
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Immune Dysfunction
- GI Dysfunction
- Cholesterol Management
- High Blood Pressure
- Diabetes
- Chronic Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Osteoarthritis
- Pediatric Conditions
- and more . . .
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