Naturopathic Medicine
A Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) is a licensed primary care physician. An ND’s prerequisite education includes standard pre-med undergraduate studies, followed by 4-5 years of academic and clinical study in the field of Naturopathic Medicine. Bastyr University, where the ND’s at Alliance Healing Arts earned their degrees, is recognized worldwide as a leader in science-based natural medicine, education, and research. N.D.’s are licensed and trained to diagnose through history taking, physical examination and ordering diagnostic tests such as X-rays. ND’s can prescribe certain drugs, but tend to treat using natural therapies. These include nutrition, lifestyle counseling, exercise, detoxification, homeopathy, herbal medicines, and therapeutic supplementation with nutrients.
Naturopathic Treatment Areas
It is the aim of our ND’s to ensure that our patients engage in lifestyle activities necessary to build and maintain healthy lives. This is done by building strong “foundations,” which help resolve disease and promote staying healthy. The doctors at Alliance Healing Arts include the following 10 “foundations” in the treatment and evaluation of every patient:
- Health Promoting Diet
- Effective Digestion
- Complete Elimination
- Metabolic Power
- Hormone Balance
- Mood Balance
- Good Posture/Physical Fitness
- Effective Rest and Recovery
- Supportive Relationships
- Life Affirming and Enhancing Goals
Treatment Principles
At Alliance Healing Arts, our Naturopathic Doctors operate with the following six principles in mind. Adherence to these philosophies has led to a long history of strong results within our practice:
- To do no harm.
- To act in cooperation with the Healing Power of Nature.
- To identify and treat the causes of disease.
- To teach and educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health.
- To heal the whole person through individualized treatment.
- To teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine.
While naturopathic medicine can be used as an alternative to conventional medicine, we consider natural cures to be a valuable and necessary compliment. Everyone should round out their healthcare team with a naturopathic physician.