What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a philosophy of healing that differs from what is often thought of as "main-stream" health care in four important ways:
Treat the Cause
Finding why a patient suffers from symptoms is as important as the symptoms themselves. Complete care of the patient depends on addressing the cause of the problem while relieving any immediate discomfort.
A Natural Perspective
Fundamentally, only the body heals itself. Drugs and supplements can heavily influence this process, but ultimately it is the body that does the work. Naturopathic physicians call this by the Latin phrase, the Vis Medicatrix Naturae, the healing power of Nature.
The Therapeutic Order
Naturopathic physicians use the Therapeutic Order to establish a treatment plan. This means that we lay a foundation for health and progress from there to restore health and relieve symptoms without creating unnecessary side effects.
The "Whole" Person
Treating the whole person is exactly that. Health and disease involve physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other aspects of the individual. We meet our patients where they are at, and together we create a plan to reach wellness, both in the short-term (symptom relief) and long-term (health restoration).
What is a Naturopathic Physician?
Trained as general practitioners who specialize in natural medicine, ND's are educated in conventional medical sciences, but are not conventional medical doctors (MD). Referring patients to other practitioners for further diagnosis or treatment when appropriate, naturopathic physicians prefer non-invasive treatments, which minimize the risk of harmful side effects. This approach offers many benefits for the patient.
A Naturopathic Physician has a large "tool box" of treatments, ranging from nutrition, herbal medicine, physical medicine, lifestyle modification, counseling, and exercise to dietary supplements and prescription drugs when they are appropriate for the patient, the condition and it's influence on the patient's life.
In the State of Washington, Naturopathic Physicians are considered general practitioners. This means that most insurance plans cover your visits as they would to any other family practice doctor. For more information about the practice of naturopathic medicine, check out the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) website.
Cost:
Many insurance plans cover naturopathic visits. Our providers are contracted with most insurance plans, but it is important to call your insurance to inquire about whether your plan includes benefits for naturopathic care.
For patients without insurance benefits for naturopathic care, we offer the following discounted rate for payment on the day of service. Exact pricing depends on the complexity of the visit.
New patients (1 hour appointment): $209
Established patients (1/2 hour appointment): $96-$138
Well Exams: These vary by age; please contact the office for specific pricing
Specialty Lab Blood Draw: $28