Fourni par Blogger.

By Bonnie Contreras


When seeking the naturopathic doctor Tempe AZ, it is first necessary to have a full understanding of exactly what they do. They do offer an alternative to more traditional medicine but not necessarily exclusive of it. Seeking more than one way to handle a health issue is just being smart. Good health is the one thing in this world no one can do without.

It is important to know that there is a difference between a naturopath and an ND. An ND must have a bachelor's degree, go to medical school for naturopathy and spend two years doing clinical training. They earn a doctorate to practice natural medicine. They will also have gone through all the necessary licensing and board examinations in their state.

Before committing to an appointment, take some time to check their credentials. Find out what medical college they attended. The list of accredited schools is very short. Ask if they are licensed to practice. Keep in mind that there are just sixteen states that have regulations in place for licensing. This is one reason that checking them out online or asking direct questions is important.

Naturopathy considers the whole person. This basically means truly getting to know a patient. An initial consultation can be up to two hours. There are questions about every aspect of life. A person's emotional, spiritual, mental, physical, environmental and social circumstances affect their well being. Diagnostic testing will also be done. The point is to not only treat symptoms but to eliminate what is causing them, if possible.

Part of treating the entire person is addressing how they eat and what their habits are, how they handle stress. Since a person is not just made of one system on solution is not enough. A problem is handled in various ways based on what is found in the different areas of life. The patient must be a part of the solution and be partners with their physician. As each person is unique so is their treatment, there is no one size fits all answer to any health issue.

The primary belief is that the body can heal itself. The point is to help the body do so. Patient education and participation is essential. Everything will be explained and how an issue is to be addressed. The physician will work with someone who is going to their traditional MD and using traditional prescriptions, but they must be informed. Because a remedy is natural does not mean it cannot interact with current medication.

Ben Franklin is quoted as saying "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". This statement is taken seriously in naturopathy. Part of treating the whole person is knowing their medical history including genetic history. The ND will go over what can be done to prevent future illnesses. Diet, lifestyle and nutrition are usually the first to be addressed and used to enhance and build the immune system.

As a general practitioner, the naturopathic doctor Tempe AZ may be a good choice. They handle everything with an eye toward what is natural and the least invasive. They will refer their patients to another physician, when required. A general practitioner often sends their patients to a specialist as well. It is a different experience for a patient to be true participant in their own healthcare.




About the Author: