Finding A Naturopathic Doctor Tempe AZ

By Bonnie Contreras


Looking for a naturopathic doctor Tempe AZ is often a way of finding an alternative to the conventional medical doctor. Looking for another way to approach health is simply an intelligent way of taking control of one's wellbeing. This is one area of life that all others follow. In order to do so it is must to find out just how and ND approaches medicine.

Not all naturopaths are created equally. The ND or NMD has an actual doctorate in medicine. They have a bachelor's degree as well and have spent two years training with a practicing physician. They have passed their board examinations and obtained their license to practice. These are issued on a state level.

Only sixteen states currently provide licensing. Arizona, Kansas and Maine to name a few, have regulations in place for how they should practice. The naturopath is not able to be a practicing physician. This is especially true in those states that don't offer licensing. The biggest difference is the requirement for education and lack of clinical training. A careful background is necessary.

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.

One of the primary mandates of practicing naturopathy is educating patients. When a person knows what is affecting them and how they are more likely to directly address it. They become active in caring for their health instead of passive. Along with changes in habits herbal remedies, supplements, and homeopathy may be prescribed. Often these are in office to ensure quality, since these are not regulated the same as traditional medicine.

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.

The naturopathic doctor Tempe AZ can be visited in the same way as a general practice physician. They will do what they can in office an send a patient to a specialist for everything else. The naturopath does the same. A physician whose practice is about listening to and working with a patient is ideal.




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