Many
patients, especially those unfamiliar with natural
and holistic medicine, have questions. Here are some
answers to commonly asked questions. If you don't
find the answer to your question here, please
contact us.
We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
What Do Naturopathic Doctors Do?
Are Naturopathic Doctors Licensed?
What is the Education and Training of Naturopathic
Doctors?
What is the difference between a naturopathic doctor
and a medical doctor?
What kinds of conditions do you treat?
What happens at my first appointment?
What should I do before my first visit?
How often do patients see Dr. Thomas?
What Do Naturopathic Doctors Do?
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs):
- Are primary care practitioners trained to be
experts in natural medicine.
- Concentrate on whole person health;
treatment is tailored to each individual patient
and emphasizes prevention and self-care.
- Attempt to address the underlying causes of
the patient's condition rather than focusing
narrowly on symptomatic treatment.
- Believe in integrative medicine and form
relationships with all other branches of
medicine, and refer patients to other
practitioners for continuing care when
appropriate.
Are Naturopathic Doctors Licensed?
Naturopathic Doctors are licensed in 15 states in
the U.S., in Puerto Rico and in all provinces of
Canada. The licensed states in the U.S. include:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Connecticut,
Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Montana, Utah, Kansas, Vermont, and the District of
Columbia. In unlicensed states, NDs most commonly
obtain other licenses and work within their scope of
practices while offering naturopathic care. There
are active licensing efforts going on in many
states. Please visit the
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
website for more information.
What is the Education and Training of
Naturopathic Doctors?
Education of NDs is rigorous. It includes premedical
undergraduate coursework, completion of a four year
graduate level program at an accredited naturopathic
medical school, two years of supervised clinical
training ( and in some cases a one- or two-year
postgraduate residency program). NDs study the same
basic and clinical sciences as traditional medical
students as well as a full spectrum of natural
medicines and therapies. To be licensed, NDs must
then pass state board examinations and meet other
requirements for licensure.
NDs
are extensively trained in physical examination,
laboratory testing, nutritional and metabolic
analysis, allergy testing, X-ray analysis and other
diagnostic tests. NDs are the only primary care
physicians trained to use a wide variety of natural
therapies including nutrition, herbal medicine,
homeopathy, lifestyle counseling, and physical
medicine. NDs can also prescribe pharmaceuticals and
order laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging.
What is the difference between a naturopathic
doctor and a medical doctor?
While
there are many similarities in how NDs and MDs are
trained and practice, there are also important
differences. Both NDs and MDs are taught methods of
diagnosis based on measurable criteria (such as
laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, patient
history and physical examination). MDs then continue
on to treat the diagnosis with therapies
(pharmaceuticals) aimed at blocking or suppressing a
symptom. Examples are using pain killers and
anti-inflammatory agents for arthritis, or using
antibiotics to treat an infection. This approach is
very effective for treating emergencies and
life-threatening health problems, but does not work
to correct the causes of health conditions, and has
a poor track record in treating chronic disease. MDs
by and large tend to take a reductionist approach to
health care; that is they focus on treating the
diagnosis and disease and not the patient.
NDs
take a more holistic approach in examining what is
contributing to disease and preventing one from
optimal health. For example, an ND may prescribe
nutritional substances for arthritis that help to
give the body the nutrients it needs to repair
itself, while at the same time, using therapies to
restore damaged tissues and healthy joint alignment
and function. Using a more holistic model, an ND
will also look into the role that food sensitivities
or gastrointestinal health may play in the patient
with arthritis. All of this helps to correct the
underlying causes of the condition and prevents
dependence upon a drug to mask the symptoms. With
any condition, the innate healing power of the body
is given an opportunity to restore function and
health to all aspects of the body with this kind of
holistic approach.
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What kinds of conditions do you treat?
Dr.
Thomas treats a wide range of conditions. Some
examples include, allergies, asthma, pains and
injury, headaches, digestive problems, chronic
fatigue, immune problems, ADD/ADHD, depression,
anxiety, learning disabilities, and sleep disorders.
Dr. Thomas also works with patients to optimize and
maintain health with her specialty therapies of
applied
kinesiology,
Neurofeedback, and/or
nutritional
counseling. These therapies address many varied
physical and emotional health conditions, and are
excellent resources for peak performance training.
What happens at my first appointment?
During
the initial visit, a health history is taken, any
necessary physical exams are done, and primary
health concerns are addressed therapeutically.
Referral for blood, urinary, salivary, and/or other
diagnostic lab tests may be requested depending upon
the condition(s). A first visit takes between 1 1/ 2
to 2 hours. There is ample metered parking on the
streets adjacent to
1306 NW Hoyt
St. in the Pearl District (the Gadsby building).
Make sure to park in and pay for a zone allowing for
2 hours (on 13th Ave, 14th Ave, or 15th Ave).
What should I do before my first visit?
Please
print the
Intake Forms and fill out before your initial
visit. It is also recommended to look over the
Healthy Eating
guidelines. Dr. Thomas will discuss with you how
nutrition plays a major role in health and disease.
Patients that make the most progress are those
amenable to making any necessary dietary adjustments
and taking nutritional supplements, herbal
medications, or homeopathy when needed. If you are
not ready to make changes at this time, it may be
more advantageous to wait to make an appointment
until you are. Meridian Natural Medicine clinic is a
fragrance-free environment for the health of staff
and patients. Please refrain from wearing perfume,
cologne, scented body/hair products and/or clothing
scented of cigarette smoke at the time of visit.
How often do patients see Dr. Thomas?
The
frequency of visits depends upon which therapeutic
methods are used to help resolve your conditions.
With
applied
kinesiology treatments, patients initially visit
2-3 times per month. As health improves and
stabilizes, patients often see Dr. Thomas once a
month for ongoing maintenance and preventative care.
By providing you with tools to be your own best
health coach, the goal at Meridian Natural Medicine
is to help you gain and maintain optimal wellness.
Neurofeedback is
found to be a very effective therapy with lasting
changes when 20-30 sessions are done. This range is
the minimum and typical number of sessions required
to create permanent positive changes in the
functioning of the nervous system and brain. The
brain learns how to make the changes more quickly
and successfully when 2-3 sessions are done per week
for the first 6-8 weeks. Sessions can be tapered
down to once per week, and then once every other
week before ending therapy. In more challenging
cases of ADHD, developmental disorders, traumatic
brain injury, and other cases, 40 or more sessions
are necessary for more successful condition
remediation. Neurofeedback requires a commitment to
the therapy as the brain learns and develops
new-gained skills and improved neurological
function. The rewards are often nothing short of
miraculous and life changing. |
