Naturopathic Doctors with Your Healthcare Team

The Role of a Naturopathic Doctor With Your Healthcare Team

Naturopathic medicine places a strong emphasis on prevention, improving quality of life, and education. These are the factors that led me to embrace the path of a naturopathic doctor instead of pursuing a career as a medical doctor. 

From a young age, I had a strong inclination towards a career in medicine, and as I matured, I found myself faced with the decision of which medical field would allow me to have the most significant influence on an individual’s well-being. For me, naturopathic medicine was the perfect fit because it provided me the tools and knowledge to understand, assess, and treat conditions but in a way that focused on the person sitting in front of me, rather than a standardized protocol. I resonated with the focus on: 

(1) Taking the time with patients to understand the full picture and  

(2) Being able tie it all together and help patients feel empowered to improve their health.   

A big part of understanding the whole picture is working alongside your medical doctor to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of your individual needs. We need testing, we need imaging, and we need tools such as medication and/or supplement. Looking at health from the approach of disease management vs. health optimization are two areas of difference expertise and why you need both a naturopathic doctor and a medical doctor on your healthcare team. 

A deeper look at how naturopathic doctors (NDs) work with medical doctors (MDs) and the benefits of this integrative approach: 

• Naturopathic doctors and medical doctors have different areas of expertise. Medical doctors are trained in diagnosing and treating acute and severe medical conditions using pharmaceuticals and surgical interventions. On the other hand, naturopathic doctors emphasize natural therapies, lifestyle modifications, and prevention. By collaborating, patients gain access to a wider range of treatment options as most patients need a comprehensive prevention AND action strategy.  
• Medical doctors might focus on managing specific symptoms or diseases, while naturopathic doctors consider the whole person, including lifestyle, diet, stress levels, and emotional well-being. This holistic perspective can lead to more effective and sustainable treatment plans overall 
• When NDs and MDs work together, patients can benefit from tailored treatment plans that consider their unique needs and preferences. For instance, a patient with a chronic condition might receive conventional medications from an MD while also incorporating naturopathic therapies to address underlying factors contributing to the condition. 
• Naturopathic therapies often aim to minimize the potential side effects associated with pharmaceuticals. Integrating natural remedies and lifestyle changes may help reduce the need for high doses of medications, potentially lowering the risk of adverse effects. 

By collaborating with both a naturopathic and medical doctor, the goal is to offer patients comprehensive and well-rounded care that leverages the strengths of both conventional medical practices and natural therapies. 

Bottom Line: A team of healthcare providers enhances your well-being by leveraging their individual strengths. 

Book with Dr. Jess, Naturopathic Doctor to dive into your health goals 

Specifics of working with me: 

• Helping you prioritize your goals and creating a realistic plan that includes a timeline, monitoring options, and pros/cons 
• Interpreting bloodwork from a health optimization perspective 
• Empowering you with education to make well-informed decisions about improving your health