Healthcare and Healing Thyself
Healing yourself is complex and there are many possible paths... the purpose of this article is to explain our philosophy of care so that you can make an informed decision about your options. Unlike conventional medical care, Naturopathic Medicine is governed by the Principles of Naturopathic Medicine (click here to read about these principles).
Conventional medicine strives to alleviate symptoms, generally with the use of drugs. Naturopathic Medicine strives to promote and sustain exceptional health without the ongoing need for suppressive-symptom-relieving medication by solving underlying health problems. While conventional healthcare lends itself to short visits, prescribing drugs and minimal opportunity for the exchange of knowledge from physician to patient; Naturopathic Medicine is BASED on education, patient self responsibility and a healthy mutual relationship between doctor and patient.
Just as our philosophy is unique, so is the structure of our office and the nature of our interactions. In Naturopathic Medicine, rather than educating patients about diseases, we educate ourselves about the unique conditions of an individual. Since each patient is the expert on their symptoms, experience and health related goals; their input is essential to the partnership between physician and patient. The Physician is the expert in medical knowledge, diagnostics, therapeutics and brings to the table the experience of observing and learning from many people who have shared their journey towards better health. According to Naturopathic Medicine, the physician is the teacher who gains from the exchange of knowledge and the opportunity to 'practice'. The patient is the student who gains insight and acquires tools to maintain exceptional health in a long-term sustainable manner.
Insight, Education and Change
All journeys to exceptional health require insight, education and change. Although a standard medical office with many para-medical people assisting with care and the physician overseeing and briefly 'checking in' to reassure you that the treatment plan is THE option; a few people find the experience dissatisfying and...well unhealthy. That's because a system like this is dependent on symptom alleviation through constant medication.... or keeping patients sick but more comfortable with drugs. This is not the fault of managed care, physicians or patients; but a series of philosophical expectations and financial exchanges that have evolved to satisfy the needs and expectations of patients for convenience, speed, and consistency. I call this disease-care and it is the dominant form of medicine in the Western World.
Healthcare on the other hand USES symptoms as clues to find out WHY there is a problem, solves the underlying problem, and allows the body to restore a state of health. And THIS philosophy requires work on behalf of the patient, time devoted to education by the physician, and a relationship with a physician who considers wellness a process that unfolds at the pace most suitable to the patient. Naturopathic Healthcare is part of an ongoing process of learning how to be healthy. Unlike symptom suppression which is pretty uniform.... Tylenol suppresses headaches caused by a diverse range of conditions.... achieving exceptional health is highly individualized and requires special training not covered by conventional physicians.
What Services Does Healthy by Nature Offer?
Rather than bill fee for service, which penalizes for preventive care, asking of questions, accumulation of knowledge, and makes healthcare costs uncertain; we provide Global Care packages that include all fees except medications and labs. Clients pay a monthly fee for unlimited service and renew each 6 months as needed.
Is Naturopathic care appropriate for all conditions?
I believe all people benefit from improving their health, increasing their level of education, and receiving support for their state of well being. We treat people not diseases so 'what' you have matters less to me than 'who' you are. Often people focus on a quick solution to alleviate symptoms and forget that symptoms often indicate significant underlying problems. Because of this I do not 'list' conditions I have treated. Instead I work best with people that are highly motivated, want to learn, take responsibility for their health and desire exceptional health.
If you read this and think.... I don't need all that, I just want to focus on this one issue.... then holistic care is not for you. If you seek a dominant practitioner who tells you what to do and you don't have to think about it.... then I am not a good match. And if you are content to take medication indefinitely in return for living your current lifestyle, then achieving a state of exceptional health is not your priority.
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