3 Reasons You Should Start Seeing A Naturopathic Doctor
If you’re anything into holistic health, you may have been wondering if you should start seeing a naturopathic doctor.
Whatever body changes or health struggles you may be facing, a naturopathic doctor is there to help.
In this article, we’ll explain exactly what a naturopathic doctor is and why you need to see one, especially in your 30’s.
What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
Naturopathic Doctors are trained medical practitioners that go through four years of medical school to be able to treat patients as primary care physicians.
Contrary to popular belief, naturopathic doctors are not against using pharmaceutical medications. They just use more “natural” interventions like supplements, herbs, botanicals, or acupuncture.
There are several reasons why it’s beneficial to visit a naturopathic doctor, but there are three main reasons naturopathic doctors can be helpful.
Reason One: They Treat the Root Cause
Most patients want answers to their problems, not just a band aid to slap on a symptom.
This is where naturopathic medicine shines.
Naturopathic doctors take a deep dive into your health history.
They order comprehensive lab work, looking for mold, toxins, or pesticide exposure. They inquire about your diet, emotional state, stress levels, and more.
By addressing the root cause, they can treat the source of the problem, eliminating the need for other potential treatments, surgeries, or drugs down the line.
Addressing the root cause not only stops the symptoms from manifesting, but it also allows the body to function optimally.
While managing the symptoms may have gotten you this far, it’s time to get serious addressing the problem causing your symptoms.
An example of how naturopathic medicine treats the root cause can be seen in patients with skin conditions. There is research to suggest that psoriasis flares can be reduced with a gluten free diet.¹ While topical medications may help control flares, they may not treat the root of the problem.
Reason Two: They Use Individualized Medicine
Naturopathic Doctors understand that each person comes with a unique history and a set of genes that makes them different. What may work for some may not work for others.
When you meet a naturopathic doctor, they will take into account everything from your history and intake to come up with the best plan for you.
You get an input. Instead of blindly following recommendations, the naturopathic doctor will take your opinions into account to decide if their treatment plan is realistic.
Since this medicine is more individualized, they may also want to tackle other areas of health that are not directly related to your chief complaint.
For example, you may come into the office because of your hormonal acne. The naturopathic doctor may prescribe herbs to treat your acne, but may ask about your stress levels.
They may also throw in some supplements to help with stress management since there is evidence that stress and acne may be intertwined.²
Reason Three: They Give You Quality Time & Undivided Attention
You will typically spend between one to two hours speaking with your naturopathic doctor during your first appointment.
This is because naturopathic doctors need to know the details of your entire health history to figure out what is happening.
They will also take the time to hear all of your concerns without the rush of meeting their next patient.
While there is no research that longer consultation times do not increase patient visit satisfaction, there are some potential benefits to longer consultation times.³
In the case of complicated cases, longer consultations may be beneficial to figure out the source of the problem without the constraints of time.
You may be the type of person who wants to understand why things are happening to your body. One of the principles of naturopathic medicine is “doctor as teacher.”
Your naturopathic doctor will patiently go through each step and let you know what exactly is going on in your body.
Longer appointment times can help you think of all the questions you want to ask without feeling sorry for “taking up your doctor’s time”.
You can leave the appointment feeling satisfied that everything was covered.
What if I can’t afford to see a naturopathic doctor?
Unfortunately, naturopathic medicine is not covered by insurance in many states.
If you have insurance, contact your provider to see if you can be reimbursed for any services provided by a naturopathic doctor.
The good news is that naturopathic doctors also understand how expensive seeing them can be.
Many naturopathic doctors have financial aid programs that allow you to pay what you can based on your income.
Make sure to reach out to your local naturopathic doctor and explain your situation. It never hurts to ask.
If you can afford to see a naturopathic doctor but are still spooked by the cost, ask yourself this questions:
How much of a priority is your health?
Most people would agree that health is everything.
Instead of splurging on that new handbag or trip to Cancun, invest in yourself and your health because no one can put a price tag on your health.
Should I only go to a naturopathic doctor?
Definitely not.
While naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care physicians, they are only one part of the medical system that is comprised of medical doctors, physical therapists, dentists, acupuncturists, and more.
When conventional medicine and naturopathic medicine work together. They create a synergy that truly becomes integrative and optimal for their patient.
Where Can I Find a Naturopathic Doctor?
You can find a naturopathic doctor through a simple Google search.
The demand for naturopathic medicine has been on the rise so chances are, there will be a naturopathic doctor where you live.
Just make sure they have graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school⁴ and passed their board exams.
Naturopathic medicine is still unregulated⁵ in some states. This means anyone can call themselves a naturopathic doctor, even if they have not graduated from medical school.
If you cannot find a naturopathic doctor in your neighborhood, don’t worry!
Due to the pandemic, there has been an increase in the use of Telehealth amongst naturopathic doctors.
You must see a licensed naturopathic doctor in the state you reside. If you live in California but your naturopathic doctor practices in Arizona, you cannot call them your doctor.
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Take the step to start investing in your health in your thirties.
This has been an article about three reasons you should see a naturopathic doctor in your thirties.
References:
Bhatia BK, Millsop JW, Debbaneh M, Koo J, Linos E, Liao W. Diet and psoriasis, part II: celiac disease and role of a gluten-free diet. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Aug;71(2):350-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.03.017. Epub 2014 Apr 26. PMID: 24780176; PMCID: PMC4104239.
Chatzikonstantinou F, Miskedaki A, Antoniou C, Chatzikonstantinou M, Chrousos G, Darviri C. A novel cognitive stress management technique for acne vulgaris: a short report of a pilot experimental study. Int J Dermatol. 2019 Feb;58(2):218-220. doi: 10.1111/ijd.14227. Epub 2018 Sep 19. PMID: 30229883.
Elmore N, Burt J, Abel G, Maratos FA, Montague J, Campbell J, Roland M. Investigating the relationship between consultation length and patient experience: a cross-sectional study in primary care. Br J Gen Pract. 2016 Dec;66(653):e896-e903. doi: 10.3399/bjgp16X687733. Epub 2016 Oct 24. PMID: 27777231; PMCID: PMC5198642.
https://aanmc.org/naturopathic-schools/
https://aanmc.org/licensure/