What is Naturopathic Medicine?
A proven safe and gentle system of medicine, Naturopathic Medicine utilizes the healing wisdom of many ancient cultures and relies on its core philosophical belief that nature embodies powerful healing abilities. Although Naturopathic Medicine has been an established profession for over a century, it has evolved over the course of time to incorporate elements of modern science while still holding firm to its basic principles which are: First do no harm | Treat the Whole Person | Identify and Treat the Cause | The Healing Power of Nature | Doctor as Teacher | Prevention

What does a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) do?...and how does that differ from Conventional medicine?

Naturopathic Doctors (or Naturopaths) utilize various natural therapies which work in synergy with the human body. These include such methods as nutrition and lifestyle counseling, herbal medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and other preventive & therapeutic modalities. In conjunction with the basic principles mentioned above, Naturopaths tailor treatments to the specific needs of each client in order to help them restore and/or maintain health. The main difference between Naturopathic and Conventional Medicine is the philosophical approach to health and healing. As a team, Naturopath and client work together to find the cause of the illness and uncover those factors which may be preventing cure. This allows the Naturopath to treat the whole person, not just symptoms. The primary goal is essentially on educating clients as to how to take an active role in not only creating their own health but also preventing illness - acute and chronic - using the power of natural medicine.

Who should see a Naturopathic Doctor?
The short answer is anyone who wants to be healthy! The longer answer is - Naturopathic Medicine is great for people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Natural therapies can often help prevent and alleviate acute or chronic conditions such as:

How and where is a Naturopathic Doctor trained and educated? Naturopathic Doctors receive undergraduate education in standard premedical courses, followed by four years of graduate level studies at Naturopathic Medical schools which are accredited by the Council on  Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Course of study is similar to conventional medical education in that the first two years focus on basic sciences such as: anatomy, physiology, pathology, immunology, etc. The next two years emphasize clinical sciences with courses in dermatology, neurology, pediatrics, gynecology, radiology, minor surgery, pharmacology, laboratory diagnostics, cardiology, etc. Natural therapeutics are also an integral part of the course of study throughout the four years and includes clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical (herbal) medicine, hydrotherapy, and more. Clinical training in primary care occurs in naturopathic and community-based outpatient clinics under direct supervision of licensed physicians. By the end of the education and training NDs will have undergone examination by a Naturopathic examining board which, upon successful completion, will allow them to sit for licensing exams in  states which license Naturopaths. At present there are 14 states which license Naturopaths, yet Naturopathic Doctors are practicing in nearly all states, although often with a limited scope of practice compared to how they were trained. (Dr. Barry is currently licensed in the State of Oregon and is a member of the AANP).

Where can I find more information on Naturopathic Medicine? Check out the website of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), the professional association for Naturopathic Medicine, at www.naturopathic.org. Also, the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges, at www.aanmc.org.

What can I expect in a visit to the doctor at Healthy By Nature?
Because Naturopathic Medicine is so unique in that it focuses on finding the cause of illness and treating the whole person, an initial visit to a Naturopath can take up to an hour or more. (We can't possibly learn about you and your health needs in just 5-10 minutes!) At Healthy By Nature, Dr. Barry will spend this time not only reviewing your health history and discussing your health concerns and goals, but also going over any pertinent lab results, assessing medications and/or supplements, making sure there aren't any interactions, and assuring that the supplements are meeting your individual needs. While the first visit is mainly information gathering, Dr. Barry does give some suggestions to get you started on your path to better health. Follow-up visits range from 30-45 minutes and are spent evaluating your progress and determining how best to proceed. Since we work together as a team to help you attain your health goals, the frequency of our visits is determined not only by your individual needs but also your commitment to maintaining your own health.

Will insurance cover the cost of visits to the Naturopathic Doctor?
Some insurance companies will allow a certain amount towards alternative or complementary practitioner services. You will need to check with your insurance company to verify if it is part of your policy. If so, often times your Naturopath can provide you with a receipt that you can submit to your insurance company for any reimbursement.

Why should I see a Naturopathic Doctor?
Some of the most common reasons people seek Naturopathic care are those which may sound familiar to you:

Whatever your reasons for wanting to be healthy, Naturopathic Medicine is a natural, gentle way to help you achieve that goal. It is  cost-effective because its primary goal is preventing chronic, debilitating illness, and safe because it utilizes therapies that work with your body's inherent ability to heal itself. It is so much more than just substituting an herb for a drug. Naturopathic Medicine can provide a healthier way of life to help give you and your family a "common sense approach to good health" that can last a lifetime.