NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of primary healthcare that blends natural therapies and modern scientific knowledge. It is a primary care approach that uses the least invasive therapy to achieve the desired therapeutic results. Naturopathic physicians are general practitioners who specialize in natural medicine. They view an individual’s symptoms as necessary guides to finding the underlying causes of an illness. Naturopathic medicine is unique among licensed health care professions in that it combines expert knowledge of standard medical science, diagnostics, and pharmacology with a broad knowledge of natural therapeutics.
Modalities used by naturopathic physicians include clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, dietary and lifestyle counseling, and mind-body medicine. Naturopaths are currently licensed in 23 states. While Georgia does not currently license naturopaths, Dr. Allen has obtained licensure in Vermont. Licensure as a Naturopathic Doctor requires 4 years at an accredited naturopathic medical school followed by the successful completion of rigorous board examinations.
Naturopathic medicine is truly holistic and does not replace conventional medical care by an MD. Integrating various healing paradigms provides optimal patient care, as no single system of medicine has all the answers. Naturopaths make referrals to specialists when necessary. In Georgia, virtually anyone can call themselves a naturopath, so it is important for consumers to inquire about educational training when selecting a practitioner.
NATUROPATHIC THERAPIES
Clinical Nutrition
You are what you eat. Studies show that eating a diverse, whole foods, organic diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains encourages optimal health and vitality. Dietary counseling, elimination diets and unearthing food sensitivities, all help to promote optimal health. Dr Allen is always encouraging her patients to, “eat the colors of the rainbow.” The bright pigments found in many fruits, vegetables and spices are loaded with antioxidants and bioflavonoids which reduce inflammation, cancer risk and are immunomodulating. Naturopaths strive to educate patients on how to make healthy eating both delicious and simple.
Botanical Medicine
Dr. Allen has a passion for botanical medicine, combining the theories of Chinese and Western herbal medicine. Herbs are organically grown and undergo rigorous quality control testing to ensure they are free of heavy metals, pesticides, and microplastics. Gas chromatography is used to ensure plant species identification and to determine the strength of individual medicinal compounds. Botanicals are gentle yet extremely effective medicines. They come in a variety of forms including teas, encapsulated powders, often in combination with other evidence-based nutrients, and tasty liquid forms, for pediatric applications or whenever a custom formulation is needed.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a 200-year-old system of medicine developed by Samuel Hahnemann, a German physician. Homeopathy uses highly diluted substances to stimulate the body's healing response. Because they are prescribed in such minute dosages, homeopathic medicines are completely non-toxic. This makes them a great modality for kids or any time a gentle therapy is needed.
Lifestyle Counseling and Stress Management
The mental and emotional aspects of the individual play a huge role in overall wellness. Chronic stress leads to inflammation in the body which is the root of all disease. Dr. Allen encourages her patients to develop unique stress management plans that incorporate deep breathing, meditation, exercise, massage, yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, time in nature, time spent with loved ones, gardening, creating art, and even flower arranging.
NATUROPATHIC PRINCIPLES
Naturopathic Principles
First, Do No Harm
Naturopaths use therapies that are as gentle as possible while still being effective. Most of our therapies have no “side effects” and instead have “side benefits.”
Identify and Treat the Cause
Naturopaths strive to understand and treat the underlying factors that result in a patient’s symptoms. By treating the cause of disease, we can help cultivate whole body wellness rather than simply controlling symptoms.
The Healing Power of Nature
The body demonstrates a remarkable ability to heal itself when supported with natural therapies. Time spent in nature is also healing and promotes a meditative state. Take a walk in the forest, observe the trees and flowers, listen to the sounds of water or bird song. Being in nature sparks creativity, reduces mental fatigue, enhances problem solving, promotes healing and encourages solace and inspiration.
Doctor as Teacher
Consumers are bombarded with an overwhelming volume of health information, much of it conflicting and confusing. Naturopaths seek to educate patients on safe, time proven principles that will help them achieve optimal health. Naturopaths help to educate and motivate their patients to make the necessary lifestyle changes that will engender optimal health. We view our relationships with patients as a partnership. This requires more dedication from the patient, but the results are so worth it!
Prevention
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The majority of our society’s illnesses are preventable through lifestyle changes. Cancer, heart disease, and diabetes are all examples of disease processes that may be reduced through preventive medical care.
