The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.
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Thomas Edison.
Medicine has changed radically from the time of Thomas Edison. The medical doctors of today have more drugs and more facilities available to them to treat disease. Their hospitals and offices are furnished with state of the art equipment which can help diagnose internal problems. Many diseases of Edison’s time have been completely eradicated; yet there is a continuum of new diseases which appear.
But people are searching for something other than conventional medicine. They want good health.
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct profession of primary health care physicians who make conventional disease diagnoses, but are more oriented to prevention, education and promotion of optimal health and wellness rather that just treatment of disease. The following principles form the foundation of naturopathic medicine.
• First Do No Harm. Preferred are the least invasive diagnostic procedures, treatments and medicinal substances with minimal risk of harmful side effects.
•Prevention. Physicians assess risk factors, make early interventions, and promote wellness by supporting patients to create healthy lifestyles.
•The Healing Power of Nature. Naturopathic medicine recognizes and encourages the inherent ordered and intelligent healing process in each individual.
•Treatment of the whole person. Physicians address the complex interactions of a patient’s physical, emotional, mental, environmental, genetic, social and spiritual aspects.
•Identification and treatment of the causes of disease. Rather than merely eliminate symptoms, physicians identify and remove underlying causes of illness.
•Doctor as Teacher. The physician educates and develops patient self-responsibility, and the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship is valued and cultivated.
Naturopathic medicine integrates centuries-old knowledge of traditional, non-toxic therapies with the best of modern medical
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diagnostic science and standards of care.The scope of practice includes all aspects of family care, from natural childbirth to geriatrics.
Naturopathic Physicians are the only general practitioners of medicine trained in a wide variety of natural therapies. The U.S. Department of Labor defines the Naturopathic physician as one who” diagnoses, treats, and cares for patients, using system of practice that bases its treatment of all physiological functions and abnormal conditions on natural laws governing the body, utilizes physiological, and mechanical methods such as air, water, heat, earth, physiotherapy(treatment by use of plants), electrotherapy, physiotherapy, minor or orificial surgery, mechanotherapy, naturopathic corrections and manipulation, and all natural methods or modalities, together with natural medicines, naturally processed foods, herbs, and natural remedies…”
How Do Naturopathic Physicians Practice?
Most naturopathic doctors provide care through office-base, private practice. An increasing trend, is the establishment of associate practices and interdisciplinary clinics, which bring together the services of a diverse group of practitioners. Referrals are made to other health care professionals, such as MD’s, specialists, and chiropractors whenever appropriate.
Naturopathic medical colleges are four- year professional schools with admission requirements comparable to those of conventional medical schools. There are currently five schools in North America qualified to educate naturopathic physicians: Bastyr University School of Naturopathic Medicine, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. Other institutions may exist but these well know and fully accredited.
Modern educational standards for naturopathic physicians became officials when the Council on Naturopathic Medicine received recognition from the U.S. Department of Education in 1987. These standards involve completion of a pre-med education followed by a four- year residential curriculum with 4,500-5,000 hours of instruction. Basic medical science and clinical diagnostic skills are taught during the two years. The core therapeutic curriculum includes instruction in acupuncture, nutritional sciences, counseling botanical medicine, homeopathy, Oriental medicine, childbirth, physiotherapy, naturopathic manipulation, minor surgery, and other medical procedures. Students undergo extensive, supervised clinical training in outpatient naturopathic clinics, and there are a number of out-patient residency positions available for those desiring postgraduate training. |
Licensing: Graduates of approved programs are eligible to take the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam. These exam results are currently being used for licensing purposes by several states and Canadian provinces.
Research: Naturopathic methods are well supported by scientific research drawn from peer-reviewed journals from many disciplines, including naturopathic medicine, conventional medicine, European complementary medicine, clinical nutrition, Oriental medicine, phototherapy (Herbal medicine), pharmacognosy, homeopathy psychology and others. The two- volume textbook of Natural Medicine, published by Bastyr University, cities over five thousand references in the scientific literature documenting the efficacy of naturopathic therapies. Information technology and new concepts in clinical outcomes assessment are particularly well suited to evaluating the effectiveness of naturopathic medical schools and in the offices of practicing physicians. Published research may be found in the journal of Naturopathic Medicine.
History. The terms naturopathy and naturopathic medicine were coined in the late nineteenth century, but the roots of naturopathic medicine go back thousands of years. An eclectic system of healing naturopathy draws on the healing wisdom of the world’s traditional cultures, including India (Ayuvedic), China (Taoist), and Greece (Hippocratic).
The first naturopathic professional medical societies were formed at the turn of the century, and medical conventions in the 1920’s attracted more than 10,000 practitioners. At that time there were more that twenty medical colleges, and physicians were licensed in a majority of states.
After experiencing a decline in the 1940’s and 50’s due to the rising popularity of pharmaceutical drugs, technological medicine, and the theory that drugs could eliminate all disease, naturopathic medicine is experiencing a renaissance as a health conscious public turns to alternative treatment modalities. A national professional organization for naturopathic physicians was founded in the early 1980’s, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, to promote the development of credible, science-bases naturopathic medicine.
The Future.
Today’s health care crisis, with its spiraling costs and the rising number of chronic, degenerative diseases too often unresponsive to current treatments, has stimulated the renewal of naturopathic medicine and traditionally-based alternative healing modalities. More and more people are choosing natural medicine for primary care or in conjunction with conventional treatment. Naturopathic medicine offers many documented short and long-term cost containment benefits and, with its emphasis on causation, prevention, health promotion and lifestyle changes will play an important role in shifting our health care system from a disease to a wellness orientation. |
HOLISTIC AGING COMMUNITY EVENTS
Fall / Winter Series 2007
For dates and registration
Call 203-374-5309 or Email: doctors@doctorstohealth.com
1. SEMINAR 10: 00am - 12 noon
Communicating With Your Doctor - How to get the most out of your doctor’s visit
Many people are often disappointed about their doctor’s visit because often times they are either hurried by the doctor or they have a doctor who does not take the time to listen to their complaints. Learn about the best preparation you should make to get the best out of your visit. Learn the right questions to ask if you have diabetes, cancer or heart and kidney disease.
2. SEMINAR 10: 00am - 12 noon
Kitchen Cabinet Makeover & Grocery Shopping 101
Learn how to read food labels and select the right foods in a short time. Learn from nutrition experts about what should be in a healthy kitchen cabinet? Hear the naked truth for yourself about organic foods, insecticides, fertilizers and high fructose corn syrup.
3. SEMINAR 5pm – 7pm
Drug Awareness: The drug(s) you are taking could be what is making you sick
Learn about positive and negative drug / herb interactions before you take them. Learn how you can help to improve your quality of life depending on what drug or herb you are taking. Take control of what you put into your body. Learn about harmful side effect of some drugs you can avoid and take natural replacements.
4. SEMINAR 5pm – 7pm
Concierge Medicine: A new concept in modern medicine
Are you tired of being caught between multiple doctors, none of whom speak to each other about your illness? A doctor who practices concierge medicine may be what you need. An introduction to the concept and practice of Concierge Medicine. What it is and where can you find physicians that do it. Learn about its benefits and rewards to individuals or to the whole family.
5. SEMINAR 4:40pm – 7pm.
Chronic Fatigue / Adrenal Burnout
Tired all the time? Stressed out? This session highlights the role of stress, multi-tasking or the juggling of too many activities. Learn how to set priorities without feeling guilty about taking time for your self. Includes a social hour of yoga, chair massage, tea, toast & cocktails. This seminar is especially designed for professionals and working moms.
6. SEMINAR 10: 00am - 12 noon
Holistic Aging: Option and Outcomes
Confused about all the different terms and professional titles in alterative medicine? Tired of wasting your money on products or service that do not help you? Come learn about who the real experts are. Learn who can treat various diseases with use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Hear about the latest scientific research that supports the use of herbs, vitamins and other natural substances for disease management. Discuss important things you and your doctor should talk about.
7. SEMINAR 10: 00am - 12 noon
Weight Loss Secrets: How to lose weight and keep it off for good
Are you tired of everyone’s new diet? Come learn how you can stop yo-yo dieting and make your own that lasts forever! This seminar addresses the three most often hidden reasons why so many people fail at losing weight and keeping it off. The discussion includes body types and blood type diets. Discuss optimal exercise for losing and maintaining weight. It is all personalized so you are set up to win, not to fail at weight loss. You can do it in 28 days and keep it off for a lifetime! The program is medically supervised.
Free Nutritional supplements for Early Arrivals !!!
Seats are limited. All Seminars require Registration by calling 203-374-5309.
Seminars will take place at 239 Plattsville Rd, Trumbull, CT 06611 |
