Well Natural Health

Naturopathic medicine is a unique profession of health care that emphasizes prevention and the promotion of optimal health through the use of natural therapeutics.

The philosophy is based on six principles:

The healing power of nature. The body has an inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health.

Identify and treat the cause. Naturopathic doctors seek to identify and remove the underlying causes of an illness, rather than suppress presenting symptoms.

First do no harm. Naturopathic doctors use the least invasive, non-toxic therapies to minimize the risk of harmful side effects.

Doctor as teacher. A doctor's most important role is to educate and encourage each patient to take responsibility for their health.

Treat the whole person. Naturopathic doctors treat the whole person by taking into consideration one's physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, genetic, environmental, and social factors.

Preventative medicine. A Naturopathic doctor's ultimate goal is to prevent disease; they are specifically trained to assess risk factors and hereditary susceptibilities and make the appropriate interventions.

Naturopathic Doctors hold a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from one of four accredited Naturopathic medical schools. The four-year post-graduate training consists of comprehensive study of the conventional medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, etc. The education is unique in that Naturopathic Doctors complete extensive academic and clinical education in the use of natural medicines including clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, and counseling. Naturopathic Doctors take a national board exam, the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX), and attain a state license where it is available. The states that currently license Naturopathic Doctors are Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.

In licensed states Naturopathic Doctors practice as independent primary care practitioners, with the ability to diagnose and treat medical conditions, perform physical exams, and order laboratory testing. In unlicensed states, like Texas, Naturopathic Doctors are not able to offer all of the services they are trained to provide, but their expertise is an invaluable resource to the community as lifestyle and nutrition consultants.

Contact Well Natural Health for more information.