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Naturopathic MedicineMedicine Talk LectureMedicine Talk Lecture

Medical Disclaimer

The information contained in this Medicine Talk self study course is presented for educational purposes. Nothing contained on this presentation should be construed nor is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provideradvice of your physician or other qualified health care provider. Should you have any health care related questions, please call or see your physician or other qualified health care provider promptly. Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet or fitness program. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this presentation.

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Overview

• History

• Philosophy

• Principles

• Healing Modalities

• Medical Licensing

• Insurance Coverage

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History of Naturopathy

• Hippocrates taught the healing power of nature.

• During the 18th and 19th century, conventional medicine was using leeches and mercury during treatments.

• Naturopathy was a movement away from harsh treatments toward the belief that nature can stimulate healing.

• Naturopathic Medicine rivaled conventional medicine in popularity during the 19th and early 20th century.

• Several hospitals exclusively used Naturopathic Medicine.

History of Naturopathy

• In the1940s, pharmaceutical companies began developing drug therapies based on scientific evidence.

• Conventional medicine turned toward drug therapies as evidence-based research showed their effectiveness.based research showed their effectiveness.

• Recently, evidence-based research has shown that natural therapies can be just as effective as drug therapy, often with less side effects.

• Naturopathic Doctors have extensive education in both biological sciences and Naturopathic therapies.

Naturopathic Approach

• Distinct primary and adjunctive healthcare system.

• Uses safe and effective natural therapies.

• Methods include modern, traditional, scientific and empirical data.

• Utilizes a combination of healing modalities.

• Focuses on correcting the cause of disease.

• Governed by six Naturopathic principles.

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Naturopathic Principles

First Do No Harm

• Naturopathic Medicine uses therapies that are safe and effective.

• Therapies and treatment start with the least intrusive method to encourage health.

• Treatment always moves in the direction of health versus promoting another disease state.

Naturopathic Principles

The Healing Power of Nature

• The human body possesses the inherent ability to restore health.

• The doctor facilitates this process with natural, nontoxic therapies.

• Blockages to healing are removed so that nature can take its course to restore health.

Naturopathic Principles

Treat the Cause

• Doctors seek and treat the underlying cause of disease.

• Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body's natural attempt to heal.

• The patient’s imbalance is treated not the “disease”.

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Naturopathic Principles

Treat the Whole Person

• There is an individualized process within each person that leads to health or disease.

• The multiple factors are considered while treating the whole person.

• Doctors provide flexible treatment programs to meet individual health care needs.

Naturopathic Principles

The Doctor is a Teacher

• “Docere” was the original Latin term used for doctors and it translates to “teacher”.

• The doctor's major role is to educate, empower, and motivate patients to take responsibility for their own health.

Naturopathic Principles

Prevention is the Best “Cure”

• Naturopathic Doctors are preventative medicine specialists.

• Doctors assess patient risk factors and heredity susceptibility and intervene appropriately to reduce risk and prevent illness.

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• Clinical nutrition• Botanical medicine• Traditional Chinese Medicine

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Healing Modalities

• Homeopathy• Physical medicine• Environmental medicine• Lifestyle counseling/

stress management• Hydrotherapy• Alternative lab testing

Clinical Nutrition

Clinical Nutrition

• Clinical nutrition emphasizes health through food.

• Energy, nutrients and proper hydration are the building blocks of physiological reactions.

• Good nutrition supplies the body with vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, sugars and fats.

• Whole-foods are free of pesticides, environmental toxins, preservatives, artificial sweeteners and flavor enhancers.

Clinical Nutrition

Whole Food Diet

• Supports a healthy immune system.

• Helps maintain gut health.

• Decreases inflammation.

• Provides nutrients (essential vitamins, minerals and fats) necessary for good health and proper body function.

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Clinical Nutrition

Toxicity in Food• Reduce pesticide exposure by avoiding

the most contaminated fruits and vegetables.

• Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables will expose a person to nearly 20 pesticides per day, on average.

• Eating the 12 least contaminated will expose a person to about 2 pesticides per day.

Clinical Nutrition

Dirty Dozen: Toxic FoodThese 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables are consistently the most contaminated with pesticides — buy these organic.

A l• Apples• Bell Peppers• Celery• Cherries• Grapes (imported)• Nectarines• Peaches• Pears• Potatoes• Red Raspberries• Spinach• Strawberries

Clinical Nutrition

Least Contaminated FoodsThese 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables consistently have the lowest levels of pesticides.• Asparagus • Avocados• Bananas• Broccoli • Cauliflower • Corn (sweet)• Kiwi • Mangos • Onions • Papaya • Pineapples • Peas (sweet)

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Botanical Medicine

Botanical Medicine

• Botanicals are derived from plants to induce healing in the body.

R t t l fl d• Roots, stems, leaves, flowers or seeds can be prepared into teas, tinctures, essential oils or compresses.

• The right combination of botanicals with the right preparation can help target healing in an individualized way.

• Gentle and effective therapy that results in few, if any, side effects.

Botanical Medicine

Examples

• Calendula and Plantain which can help heal diaper rash.

• Hawthorne which can help strengthen heart tissue.

• Slippery Elm which can encourage healing in the GI tract.

• Rose Hips which can help supply Vitamin C to boost immune function.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Oriental Medicine

• Traditional Chinese Medicine

• Acupuncture, Acupressure, dietary therapies, Chinese herbs

• Achieve harmony in the body rather than focusing on disease.

• The theory of Qi.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture

• Balances Qi within the body.

• Consists of thin needles being placed into idi i t i th b d t ti l tmeridian points in the body to stimulate

and calm Qi.

• Clinical research shows positive results when taking measurements before, during, after and long-term post treatment.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy

• Developed by Samuel Hahnemann, MD, a German doctor.

B d th L f Si il lik• Based on the Law of Similars -- like cures like.

• Symptoms are not looked at singularly, but taken as part of a larger picture of an imbalanced vital force.

• Stimulates the body’s natural ability to heal.

Naturopathic Manipulation

Naturopathic Manipulation

• Healing the physical body, which consists of the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, and bones, through Naturopathic Manipulation.

• Addresses pain, misalignments, injury, degeneration, circulation, nervous system function and inflammation.

• Treats underlying causes of chronic disease and neck, back, sports, and motor vehicle injuries.

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Environmental Medicine

Environmental Medicine

• Children and adults are now exposed to greater quantities of chemicals in the environment and food supply.

• Organophosphates are toxins used in pesticides such as Sevin Dust.

• These chemicals interact synergistically to increase their negative effects.

• Naturopathic detoxification and immune boosting therapies are an important aspect of restoring health

Environmental Medicine

Heavy Metals

• We are exposed to toxins through inhalation, ingestion, absorption, injection or implantation.

• Sources of toxins include vaccines, fish, amalgam fillings, polluted air and water.

• Effects on health include compromised immune system, detoxification pathways, mental function and nervous system.

Stress Management

Life Style/Stress Management

• Stress and poor lifestyle choices can affect immunity and overall well-being.

• Prolonged exposure can lead to serious health complications.

• Lifestyle changes can help minimize the effect of stress on the body and can stimulate the restoration of health.

• Naturopathic Doctors are trained in counseling, stress management, and other methods.

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Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy• Cold water stimulates blood vessels.

• Hot water relaxes blood vessels.

• Alternating between the two improves circulation and increases blood flow to vital organs.

• Improves the immune system, encourages healing and detoxification.

• Sports medicine uses hydrotherapy.

• Constitutional Hydrotherapy uses sine wave stimulation.

Lab Testing

Alternative Lab Testing

• Specialized tests designed to assess function.

• Alternative tests often become mainstream over time.

• Common tests are Food Sensitivies, Organic Acids and Heavy Metal.

Licensing in the US

• Licensure ensures qualified individuals can call themselves Naturopathic Doctors.

• Provides a regulatory board to overseeProvides a regulatory board to oversee Naturopathic Medicine.

• Licensed states include Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, aWashington and Washington DC.

• In non-licensed states, anyone can portray themselves as a Naturopath.

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Insurance Coverage

• In licensed states, NDs may be covered by insurance.

• Usually most PPO companies cover services.

• This varies between insurance carriers.

• Health Flex and Health Savings Plans also usually cover services.

• Often, it is up the patient to file for reimbursement from the insurance carrier.

Summary

• Naturopathic Philosophy strives to treat the cause of disease, rather than treat symptoms.

• Naturopathic Medicine is based on six healing principles.

• Several natural healing modalities are used to treat the whole person individually.

• Naturopathic Medicine is governed separately by each state through licensing laws.

• Depending on the state, insurance coverage may or may not be available.

Conclusion

• Further Resources

• Bibliography

• Contact Us!

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Further Reading

Books

• The Organon of Medicine– Hahnemann, MD 1810

• Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy– James Kent, MD 1900

• Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics– Henry Lindlahr, MD 1975

• Nature Doctors– Friedhelm Kirchfeld and Wade Boyle 1994

Resources and Further Reading

Websites

• www.aanmc.orghi• www.naturopathic.org

• www.naturopathicdirectory.com• www.findnd.com• www.swsbm.com• www.beyondflatearth.com• www.medicinetalk.org• www.ewg.org

Bibliography

• Haller, John S. Jr. History Of American Homeopathy: The Academic Years, 1820-1935. Informa HealthCare, 2003.

• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. “Naturopathic Philosophy”. www SCNM edu (accessed Jan 2008)www.SCNM.edu. (accessed Jan 2008).

• Environmental Working Group. “Chemical Index.” EWG.org. http://www.ewg.org/chemindex (accessed January 2008).

• “Traditional Chinese Medicine. ” University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing and the Life Sciences Foundation. http://takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/what-traditional-chinese-medicine (accessed June 2009).

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Bibliography

• “Acupuncture.” University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing and the Life Sciences Foundation. http://takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/acupuncture. (accessed June 2009).

• “Samuel Hahnemann ” Creighton University Medical Center School ofSamuel Hahnemann. Creighton University Medical Center School of Medicine: Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/history.htm. (accessed June 2009).

• Environmental Working Group. “Health/Toxics: The Environment.” EWG.org. http://www.ewg.org/featured/13 (accessed January 2008).

• Environmental Working Group. “Health/Toxics: Our Food.” EWG.org. http://www.ewg.org/featured/169 (accessed January 2008).

Bibliography

• Chaitow, Leon. Naturopathic Physical Medicine. Churchill Livingstone, 2008.

• Atkinson, W. “Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel syndrome: a randomized controlled trial ” Gut 2004 53(10):1459-64syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Gut, 2004 . 53(10):1459 64.

• “Naturopathic Doctor Licensure “ AANMC. http://www.aanmc.org/careers/naturopathic-doctor-licensure.php. (accessed June 2009).