What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a unique American health care profession that combines non-toxic therapies with current health advances. The result is the best of whole family health, which is effective in treating most health conditions, both acute and chronic.
Training of Naturopathic Physicians
A licensed naturopathic physician (N.D.) attends a four-year graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as a M.D.. Furthermore, a naturopathic physician learns holistic, natural, and nontoxic methods, emphasizing disease prevention and supporting optimal wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, a naturopathic physician is also required to complete training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathy, botanical medicine, and lifestyle counseling. A naturopathic physician takes comprehensive board exams in order to be licensed by a state as a primary care general practice physician.
The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
The Healing Power of Nature
The body has the ability to heal itself. Dr. Brennan supports and assists this inherent self-healing ability by identifying and removing obstacles to healing and recovery.
Identify and Treat the Cause
Causes of illness may occur on the physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual levels. Symptoms are the result of the body's attempt to heal, not the cause of illness. Dr. Brennan seeks to identify the underlying cause of an illness, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.
First, Do No Harm
Naturopathic physicians use methods and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side effects and avoid (when possible) methods and medicines that are designed to suppress symptoms. Specifically, Dr. Brennan facilitates lifestyle changes and utilizes botanical medicines, nutritional supplements, homeopathy, and hydrotherapy.
Doctor as Teacher
"Doctor" in Latin (docere) translates to "teacher." Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. Dr. Brennan routinely gives lectures on various topics of natural medicine.
Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic physicians treat each person as an individual, taking into account that person's unique physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual factors. Dr. Brennan meets extensively with each individual incorporating the patient's full history, physical exam, and laboratory findings into the best individualized treatment plan.
Prevention
Naturopathic physicians assess lifestyle, risk factors, and susceptibility to disease and make the appropriate modifications to prevent disease or disease exacerbation. The emphasis is on improving health, rather than treating disease.
