Naturopathy

Naturopathic medicine is a unique, integrative system of health care offered by licensed physicians who are trained in both conventional and alternative medical disciplines.  Although Naturopathic physicians are equipped to treat acute and chronic illness, the prevention of disease and promotion of sustainable health are their ultimate goals.

Naturopathic physicians consider health to be not just the absence of disease, but complete physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and environmental well-being. Naturopathic medicine does not see the individual as a collection of their symptoms and complaints. The Naturopathic physician subscribes to a person-centered medical paradigm, meaning the individual is the focus of the visit and the symptoms or conditions are the unique way that the individual expresses "dis-ease".  The main objective of the naturopathic session is to identify the underlying cause of illness, remove obstacles to healing, and help discover the path back to balance and harmony.  

Naturopathic medicine supports the body's natural tendency to heal itself and return to a state of health.  We experience this innate tendency to heal throughout our lives.  For example, we come into contact with a germ, the body responds by developing a fever (germs don't do well in high temperature environments), inducing excessive tiredness (a sign that the immune system is working and a signal to rest), discharge of mucus (bringing immune cells to the surface to fight the germ), followed by coughing and sneezing to clear the airways.  Naturopathic medicine recognizes these symptoms as a necessary part of the healing process.  Therefore, naturopathic support involves removing obstacles to the immune response and, if needed, stimulating and strengthening the immune system.   

Naturopathic physicians use a wide variety of tools to promote health including:  Diet & Nutrition counseling, lifestyle recommendations, Herbal medicine, Hydrotherapy & Physiotherapy, Homeopathy, and Mind-Body medicine.  Treatment plans are tailored to the individual's needs and the goal of treatment is to create and maintain sustainable wellness. 

In the state of Connecticut, as well as in many other states, naturopathic physicians are licensed physicians with the title N.D. – Doctor of Naturopathy. Only those physicians who have graduated from an accredited institution of naturopathic medicine and successfully completed the board-certified Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX) may become licensed as a naturopathic physician in the United States.

 Naturopathic physicians focus on determining the cause of illness rather than focusing on the suppression of symptoms. This is different from the conventional medical care model, which focuses primarily on alleviating symptoms, oftentimes neglecting the individuality of the person. Naturopathic treatment is specific to the needs of the individual and proper support is given to the innate healing processes of the body to overcome illness and re-establish balance.  

Naturopathic physicians are guided by these six principles of Naturopathy:

1.    The Healing Power of Nature:  Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent, ordered and intelligent self-healing process in the person.  Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recover, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.
2.    First, Do No Harm: Naturopathic physicians follow these guidelines to ensure the least-harmful treatment of the patient; a) Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat, b) Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms, c) Acknowledge, respect and work with the individual's self-healing process.
3.    Find and Address the Cause: Naturopathic physicians seek to identify and remove the underlying cause of illness, rather than to merely suppress the symptoms.
4.    Doctor as Teacher:   Naturopathic physicians educate, empower, and encourage the individual to take an active role in their health and well-being.
5.    Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account an individual's physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, sense of meaning and purpose, and other factors that contribute to one's health and wellness.
6.    Prevention: Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assess risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease, and make appropriate interventions to prevent the onset of illness.  "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Conditions helped by Naturopathy

Naturopathy has successfully treated many common health conditions, including:

• Bowel and Digestive problems, Constipation, Diarrhea, Nausea, Hemorrhoids, GERD/Acid reflux, Weight issues, Food allergies, Nutritional deficiency
• Recurrent illness or infections, Seasonal allergies, Asthma
• Skin Conditions:  Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne, Cuts and scrapes
• Circulation or Vascular Conditions:  High cholesterol, High blood pressure, anemia, heart disease, Raynaud's disorder
• Muscle aches and pains, Overuse injuries, Bumps and bruises, Fibromyalgia, Arthritis, Post-surgery recovery
• Hormone imbalances, Menopausal symptoms, Infertility, PMS (cramps, bloating, mood shifts), Osteoporosis prevention
• Thyroid disorders, Blood sugar imbalances including Diabetes, Diabetic nerve pain (neuropathy)
• Anxiety, Depression, Mental and Emotional stress, Grief and Loss, Fatigue, Insomnia, Chronic fatigue syndrome, Memory issues, Headaches, Migraines