Practice Modalities

Like medical doctors, naturopathic doctors are also educated in basic and clinical sciences. Naturopathic doctors, however, are also trained in a variety of natural therapeutics including Botanical (Herbal) Medicine, Clinical Nutrition and Diet Therapy, Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine including Acupuncture, Hydrotherapy and Naturopathic Manipulative therapies. Thus, naturopaths learn how to integrate their conventional medical education with the principles of naturopathic medicine to provide their clients superior healthcare. Weaving together these two philosophies enables naturopathic doctors to create a natural health care program tailored for each individual needs.

Naturopathic physicians work with their patients to prevent minor illnesses from developing into more serious, chronic, or degenerative diseases. Moreover, they are able to treat acute and chronic illness or disease, restore and preserve health as well as establish optimal wellness by teaching their patients the principles with which to live a healthy life.

Naturopathic doctors are the only primary care physicians clinically trained in the use of a wide array of natural therapeutics including:

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  Clinical Nutrition
  Clinical nutrition is one of the main cornerstones of naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic physicians use nutrition to effectively treat many medical conditions without unpleasant side effects or complications. For instance, several possible mechanisms can be responsible for contributing to disease initiation or progression. Such processes include digestive disturbances, nutrient deficiencies or imbalances, and food allergies or sensitivities which lead to a toxic or imbalanced environment within the body. As the body is overwhelmed by toxins it becomes sluggish and unable to function optimally. The health or strength of the body begins to break down, and symptoms of various illnesses can surface. Naturopathic physicians correct these processes by prescribing detoxification diets, elimination diets, anti-inflammatory diets and nutritional supplements to correct the underlying cause of disease, to preserve and encourage health.
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  Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
  Traditional Chinese Medicine is a medical system based on the concept of vital energy that is believed to flow throughout the body. Qi (pronounced chee) is the Chinese term for this vital energy or life force. It is believed that disease is a result of the flow of qi being disrupted or obstructed. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, qi is believed to regulate a person's spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health. Traditional Chinese Medicine includes Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Moxibustion, Cupping therapy and Dietary prescriptions.
  • Moxibustion, or Moxa for short, is an ancient form of heat therapy. The Chinese herb mugwort, is processed into a concentrated form, and then it is burned similar to a stick of incense. It can be applied to the handle of an acupuncture needle, or it may simply be held above the surface of the skin, where it exudes a deeply warming effect. The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of qi and maintain general health and wellbeing.
  • 
    Cupping Therapy works by creating a partial vacuum in cups placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place. In order to allow easy movement of the glass cups along the skin, medicated massage oils (with extracts of herbs) are often used. Cupping is applied by acupuncturists to certain acupuncture points on the body, as well as to regions of the body that are affected by pain. Cupping therapy has been further developed as a means to open the meridians of the body. A meridian is a Traditional Chinese Medicine term for the pathways throughout the body where qi flows. Thus, meridians are considered to be conduits through which energy flows to every part of the body. There are meridians on the back that, when opened, allow invigorating energy to travel the whole length of the body. It has been found that cupping is an effective way of opening those meridians.
  • 
    Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles along precise locations throughout the body. Practitioners believe this process triggers the release of naturally occurring painkilling substances called peptides and keeps the body's normal flow of energy unblocked. During an acupuncture treatment, the points to be used are first sterilized with alcohol, and then fine, sterile, disposable needles are inserted to a depth of approximately 3-5 mm. The needles are retained for 15-20 minutes while the patient rests, and then they are removed. For pain related conditions, the needles may be retained for up to 30 minutes. Most patients report a pleasurable "tingling" sensation and feeling of relaxation while the needles are in place.
  • Acupuncture may be combined with electrostimulation, where a machine that produces a mild electric current is attached to the acupuncture needles with clips. This is intended to increase the stimulation of the needles and is generally used for more painful conditions. The frequency and intensity of the electric current depend on the condition of the patient.
    
    Acupuncture is best known for the control of pain. However, acupuncture can treat a wide variety of common and uncommon disorders. In the United States, acupuncture is used frequently for the treatment of conditions including but not limited to:
    • Chronic Pain
      • Osteoarthritis
      • Bursitis
      • Headache
      • Tendonitis
      • Athletic Injuries
      • Fibromyalgia
      • Post Traumatic and Post Surgical Pain
    • Immune Dysfunction
      • Psoriasis
      • Allergies
      • Asthma
      • Rheumatoid Arthritis
      • Chronic Fatigue
    • Mind-Body Disorders
      • Alcoholism
      • Addiction
      • Smoking
      • Eating Disorders
      • Anxiety
      • Insomnia
      • Depression
    • Others
      • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
      • Hypertension
      • PreMenstrual Syndrome
      • Menopausal Symptoms
  • 
    Botanical (Herbal) Medicine
    Naturopathic doctors use herbs as medicine either individually or in combination with other herbs. The power and potency of the healing herbs vary. Every herbal treatment is carefully balanced to create a particular action within the body. Herbal preparations work gently and holistically so they may take longer to exert their effects. Herbs are available in a variety of forms, including fresh, dried, or bottled in liquid form. These formulations include:
    • Tinctures
    • Extracts
    • Capsules and Tablets
    • Teas
    • Lozenges
    • Ointments, Salves, and Rubs
    Natural herbal preparations are generally well tolerated, and most are nontoxic. Adverse reactions are unusual if herbal remedies are used in recommended doses. Problems are more likely to occur if an herb is overused, if the dosage is too high, or if the herb is taken continuously for too long. Herbal treatment is useful for both acute and chronic conditions. It is also valuable for preserving health, preventing illness and enhancing vitality.
  • Naturopathic Bodywork
    Naturopaths employ therapeutic exercises, soft tissue manipulation and hydrotherapy to realign and support the innate healing processes of the body. For example, hydrotherapy can be used to improve digestive function by brining additional blood to the inner organs. Hydrotherapy is usually one component of an overall program. It can offer specific relief to people with:
    • Arthritis
    • Back and Neck Pain
    • Sports Injuries
    • Sinus Congestion
    • Common Cold
    • Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
    • Digestive Complaints
    • Anxiety
    One type of hydrotherapy that has particular anti-inflammatory effects is alternate hot-cold therapy. Used correctly, hot and cold treatments are probably the most powerful anti-inflammatory treatments with essentially no side-effects. While the anti-inflammatory effects are certain, it takes other remedies working in concert with hot and cold treatments to bring about a cure for the inflamed body part, i.e. tendonitis or bursitis. Generally, a good diet, supportive nutritional supplements, and an exercise program are all needed to act synergistically with the hot and cold therapy to permanently cure the inflammation.
  • Lifestyle Counseling & Stress Management
    Naturopathic physicians believe the patient's emotional and psychological makeup can greatly influence the ability to heal. In fact, mental attitudes and emotional states may not only influence but may even cause a physical illness. Thus, many naturopaths are trained in psychological techniques including counseling, stress management and biofeedback. Lifestyle counseling and stress management is commonly used in conjunction with other modalities.
  • Homeopathy
    The history of homeopathy's use spans over two hundred years. Homeopathy makes use of minute doses of plant, mineral or animal substances to treat illnesses. Homeopathic treatments take into account the totality of a person's symptoms addressing physical, mental and emotional imbalances while gently acting to strengthen the body's healing and immune response.
    
    While homeopathy treats the underlying cause of disease, determining the right remedy involves obtaining the specific symptoms as they are experienced by the individual. Thus, it is an individualized approach as the homeopath studies the whole person. It may be that the treatment of the same symptoms experienced by two different people is entirely different.
    
    Homeopathy has been documented to be effective for many illnesses including but not limited to:
    • Allergies
    • Arthritis
    • Children's Health
    • Digestive Problems
    • Headaches
    • Insomnia
    • Mental Health
    • Pregnancy & Labor
    • Sinusitis
    • Urinary Complaints
    • Women's Health