What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Founded upon a holistic philosophy, naturopathic medicine combines safe and effective traditional therapies with the most current advances in modern medicine. Naturopathic medicine is appropriate for the management of a broad range of health conditions affecting all people of all ages.
Naturopathic physicians (N.D.s) are the highest trained practitioners in the broadest scope of naturopathic medical modalities. In addition to the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostics, naturopathic education includes therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, classical Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology and minor surgery.
What is the Naturopathic Philosophy?
Naturopathic physicians are primary care and specialty doctors who address the underlying cause of disease through effective, individualized natural therapies that integrate the healing powers of body, mind and spirit.
Naturopathic physicians are unique in providing diagnosis and treatment that bridges both conventional and natural medicine perspectives; they integrate scientific research with the healing powers of nature.
The goal of a naturopathic physician is to employ therapies that support and promote the body's natural healing process, leading to the highest state of wellness.
As professional leaders and pioneers in science-based natural medicine, naturopathic physicians advocate the development of professional standards, accountability, and regulation of all forms of medicine in all jurisdictions to maintain public safety and freedom of choice in health care. Further, we support broad inclusion, collaboration and equal access in the health care system at all levels.
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, in Washington, DC, is the national organization of the profession.
What are the Principles of Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care - an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness. Naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles upon which its practice is based. These principles are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances. The techniques of naturopathic medicine include modern and traditional, scientific and empirical methods. The following principles are the foundation of naturopathic medical practice:
Principles
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in the person which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.
Identify and Treat the Causes (ToIle Causam): The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms
.First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient:• Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat;
• Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms;
• Acknowledge, respect and work with the individual’s self-healing process.
Doctor As Teacher (Docere): Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.
Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.
Prevention: Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease - assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine is committed to the creation of a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.
What conditions can be treated by Naturopathic Medicine?
Here is a list of some of the conditions that can be treated with Naturopathic Medicine:
Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue, and Fibromyalgia
Anxiety & Depression
Gastrointestinal problems (i.e. Ulcers, Irritable bowel, Crohn's, Diarrhea, Constipation, and GERD)
Heart disease, High blood pressure, and High cholesterol.
Musculoskeletal complaints and/or injuries.
Arthritis
Allergies
Immune system disorders
Migraines, Headaches
Diabetes and Hypoglycemia
Problems with weight.
Common pediatric conditions like ear infections and allergies
Urinary tract infections
PMS, Endometriosis, Menopause, or other hormonal imbalances
Acne, Eczema, Dry skin
If you don't see your condition listed above, that doesn't mean it can't be treated with Naturopathic Medicine. Contact us to find out if we can help!
Will my insurance cover Naturopathic Medicine?
Dr. Bowker is currently a preferred provider for most insurance plans that cover Naturopathic Medicine, including Regence, Premera, BCBS, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and First Choice Health Network. If your plan provides coverage for Naturopathic Medical services and we are not a contracted provider, we will be happy to assist you in submitting your bill to your insurance company for reimbursement. It is your responsibility to find out what your plan will cover, and payment (or co-payment for accepted insurance plans) is always expected at the time of service. Acceptable methods of payment include: cash, check, Visa, or MasterCard (including Debit cards with the Visa or MC logos). Contracts vary by provider, so if you are interested in seeing one of the other providers located at our clinic, you will need to call to find out if your insurance is accepted. In 2014, Dr. Bowker will be able to contract with state-funded plans (medicaid/DSHS); in the meantime, we offer a sliding-scale fee schedule for people with limited incomes.
How do I make an appointment?
You may call, email, or stop by in person to schedule an appointment. The first visit usually takes 1-1.5 hours and you will be asked to fill out some paperwork before coming in. You may download the forms from our website, or you can contact us to have them mailed to you. Please go to our contact us page for information on how to contact us.
What are your Privacy Practices?
For information on how we maintain the privacy of Patient information, please read our Notice of Privacy Practices.
The following Privacy Notice pertains to any information we collect from this website (www.snovalleyholistic.com). Please note that we are not responsible for information you may enter after following links from our website to other business websites.
Privacy Notice for www.snovalleyholistic.com
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