Naturopathic medicine is based on the principle that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are taught to view the patient as a complex, interrelated system (a whole person), not as a disease.
Naturopathic physicians individualize treatment plans that blend the best of modern medical science and traditional natural medical approaches to not only treat disease but also optimize health.
Naturopathic medicine is based on the following 6 principles:
- First Do No Harm
- To act in cooperation with the healing power of Nature
- To address the fundamental causes of disease
- To heal the whole person through individualized treatment plans
- Docere – physician as teacher
- Prevention
These important principles of Naturopathic medicine are taken into consideration on each of your visits to Singing River.
Your first visit will include a thorough history of your health, your lifestyle, and your mental/emotional well-being. If necessary, lab tests will be ordered, and a physical exam performed. Once your doctor has a thorough understanding of your health, a treatment plan will be drawn up tailored to your needs.
In the state of Oregon, Naturopathic physicians must attend a 4-year graduate-level school of naturopathic medicine and sit for basic science and clinical board exams in order to prove their clinical proficiency.
A licensed naturopath is recognized in the state of Oregon and by some insurance companies as a primary care provider.
As primary care providers (PCPs), we pride ourselves on being well-trained, experienced physicians who act as a solid base for our patient’s primary care needs. We listen. We ask good questions. We dig deeper. We look at both the immediate symptoms and also the big picture and tie the two together. We explain things in language that makes sense. We care to educate our patients and have them truly understand how their bodies work, what their labs are telling us, and how our treatments are meant to help them not only feel better now but also to prevent future illness. One of the unique ways that we are particularly well suited to the role of PCP is because of the amount of time we spend with patients during office visits.
Other duties we perform as PCPs include:
- Acting as first-contact care for patients with any undiagnosed health concern
- Providing comprehensive, big-picture care for patients that is beyond problem-specific management
- Offering continuous care for our patients through time and changes
- Being responsible for coordinating referrals and other health services as they relate to our patients’ care
- Prescribing and refilling necessary pharmaceutical medications
- Ordering and interpreting necessary lab work and imaging
