Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine uses a combination of natural remedies and traditional medicine to help the body heal itself. Rather than just treat symptoms, the naturopathic doctors (NDs) at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health identify underlying causes of illness and develop personalized treatment plans to support the self-healing process.
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Why See a Naturopathic Doctor?
Naturopathic medicine uses a holistic approach to help the body heal from acute and chronic illnesses. It combines natural therapies and modern science to address disease in body, mind and spirit. The benefits of naturopathic medicine include:
- Receive personalized treatment: Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained to treat the whole person. When you visit an ND, they work with you to develop a treatment plan uniquely tailored to your health status, health goals and lifestyle. They take time to listen and understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle/behavioral factors that affect your health.
- Treat the root cause of an illness, not just the symptoms: While symptoms of illness can often be managed, it’s more important to understand and treat the root cause of the symptoms: This is the focus of naturopathic medicine.
- Actively participate in managing your health: An ND can help you learn what your body needs to restore and maintain good health. When patients are actively engaged in managing their health, they often feel empowered and hopeful.
- Manage chronic pain without having to rely on medication: Pain lasting six months or longer often benefits from a holistic approach. Your ND can work with you to find which combination of therapies works best to treat your pain, so you can return to your daily activities and enjoy a better quality of life.
- Conventional treatments or testing haven’t been effective: Certain health conditions that are difficult to diagnose and treat can benefit from a holistic approach. NDs use a variety of tools to diagnose and treat their patients, including:
- Targeted laboratory testing (functional lab tests for food sensitivities, digestive function and microbiome, hormones and more).
- Detailed health, diet, exercise and medication history.
- Food-based therapies and dietary supplements.
What Conditions Can Naturopathic Medicine Help Manage?
- Allergies and asthma
- Anxiety
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
- Chronic pain
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Digestive disorders
- Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Hormonal imbalances
- Injuries
- Menopausal symptoms
- Sleep disorders
- Weight issues
- Long-term wellness/disease prevention
Naturopathic Education
A naturopathic doctor attends a four-year, in-residence, accredited graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in the basic sciences like an MD. A naturopathic doctor also studies holistic medicine, with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. A naturopathic doctor takes rigorous professional board exams and has opportunities to complete a residency.
