Where are you located?
Good Eath Medicine is located in NE Portland near Alberta arts district and Vanport Mall. Please visit our location page for more information.Are you accepting new patients?
Yes! Please contact us to make an appointment. Initial appointments normally take between 90 minutes and two hours. We want to get a full picture of your health, which simply can't be done in under an hour.What's Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a natural approach to healing and health using both time honored wisdom and current advances in medical science to enhance health and well being. Naturopathic Medicine takes its roots from the vitalistic tradition of medicine, emphasizing the treatment of disease through the stimulation, enhancement, and support of the inherent healing nature of life. Naturopathic Medicine recognizes the integrity of the whole person and includes mental, emotional, spiritual, family and social nature as well as physical health in promoting wellness.A Naturopathic Doctor works to find the underlying cause of the patient’s condition rather than focusing on symptomatic treatment. Detailed interviewing and examination helps an ND to discover the factors causing an illness ans tailor treatment to address these causes, work with the the patient's unique nature and support the body's own healing power. Naturopathic physicians utilize natural and simple methods of healing with emphasis on self-care and prevention. An ND will address all aspects of health from prenatal to geriatric care including family, social and individual wellness.
Naturopathic physicians are rigorously trained in primary care medicine and use both modern and traditional physical, laboratory and imaging methods to diagnose and treat their patients. Naturopathic Doctors cooperate with all other branches of medical science referring patients to other practitioners for specialized diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.
Above all, Naturopathic medicine celebrates the healing power of nature. The goal of naturopathic physicians is to stimulate the body’s incredible power to heal itself. By focusing on cleansing and strengthening the body, an ND seeks to prevent both chronic and acute disease.
What are the Principles of Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic philosophy is the basis of naturopathic medicine. It is a dynamic philosophy as well as a profession that recognizes the interconnection and interdependence of all living things. It utilizes the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies to treat illness and to promote wellness by viewing the body as an integrated whole. Naturopathic medicine is defined by principles rather than by methods or modalities. Methods of treatments are chosen to work with the patient's vital force, respecting the intelligence of the natural healing process.The practice of Naturopathic Medicine emerges from six underlying principles of healing. These principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease. It is these principles that distinguish the profession from other medical approaches:
Vis Medicatrix Naturae – The Healing Power of Nature
Naturopathic treatments work in harmony with the body’s healing power, to increase vitality and eliminate disease. The body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health. The healing process is ordered and intelligent; nature heals through the appropriate response of the life force. The physician's role is to facilitate and augment this process, to act to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.
Primum Non Nocere – First, Do No Harm
Illness is a purposeful process of the organism. The process of healing includes the generation of symptoms which are, in fact, an expression of the life force attempting to heal itself. Naturopathic doctors focus their work on supporting the healing process instead of suppressing the symptoms of disease. By using natural medicines, an ND can support the body's natural healing force without causing unnecessary damage or side-effects.
Tolle Causum – Treat the Cause
Illness does not occur without cause. Underlying causes of disease must be discovered and removed or treated before a person can recover completely from illness. Symptoms are expressions of the body's attempt to heal, but are not the cause of disease. The physician must evaluate fundamental underlying causes on all levels, directing treatment at root causes. When the cause of an illness is addressed appropriately, the symptoms are addressed as well.
Tolle Totum - Treat the whole person
Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism. Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person taking into account all the factors contributing to the person's health. The harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual is essential to recovery from and prevention of disease, and requires a personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Prevenir - Prevent disease
The ultimate goal of health care should be prevention. Naturopathic physicians assesses risk factors and susceptibility to disease and help their patients make appropriate interventions to avoid future problems. The emphasis of naturopathic medicine is on building health, rather than on fighting disease.
Docere - Physician as teacher
The most important role of an ND is to educate and encourage their patients to take responsibility for their own health. The physician is a catalyst for healthful change, empowering and motivating the patient to assume responsibility. Naturopathic physicians are well trained in both modern and traditional medicine; they are the best partners to have in the journey of healthy living.
What do Naturopathic Doctors Do?
Naturopathic physicians utilize a variety of healing techniques including modern and traditional, scientific and empirical methods. NDs utilize diet, nutrition, nutritional supplementation, detoxification, herbal medicine, homeopathy, bodywork, spinal manipulation, and mind-body therapies to create personalized plans for their patients.NDs are trained as primary care providers and, as such, their scope of practice may include...
Diagnosis: Licensed naturopathic physicians are trained in clinical and physical diagnosis in much the same way as a primary care providing MD. Additionally, NDs are educated in many eclectic and traditional methods of diagnosis. An ND can provide physical exams, clinical evaluations, order lab work and imaging studies, provide referrals and work together with specialists in complicated cases. NDs can also offer specialized diagnostic techniques such as specialized allergy and digestion tests, kinesiology, pulse diagnosis, iridology and auscultory techniques, depending on their training.
Pharmacology: Naturopathic doctors are able to prescribe many pharmaceutical medicines, depending on the specific state license. Although NDs prefer to use natural medicines to treat their patients, naturopathic physicians can still offer their patients many medications and help tailor dosages for their patients.
Clinical nutrition: Food is the best medicine. Many medical conditions can be treated more effectively with special diets, foods and nutritional supplements than they can by other means, often without any side-effects. NDs use careful evaluation to identify foods or other substances that could be aggravating or causing an illness and deficiencies in essential nutrients. This evaluation serves as a basis for dietary recommendations that eliminate toxins and bring balance back to the body.
Botanical medicine: Many plant substances are powerful medicines. Many botanicals are more gentle or compatible with the body's own chemistry than pharmaceuticals, and can be gently effective with few toxic side effects. Naturopathic physicians are thoroughly trained in botanical medicine and can formulate safe and effective treatments using natural substances for many diseases.
Homeopathy: Homeopathy is the use of remedies made from weak or infinitesimal doses of substances (plant, animal, mineral) that have been potentized (diluted and shaken) to stimulate a natural healing response in an individual with a disease or other health disorder. NDs are trained in homeopathic prescribing, a process involving thorough interviewing and finding a remedy that fits the totality (entire symptom picture) of the patient. Many people have had profound experiences of healing through the appropriate administration of homeopathic remedies by their naturopathic doctor.
Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the use of water to treat disease or stimulate healing. Over half the body is water and water is a powerful agent for healing. Naturopathic physicians use water in many forms, from steam baths to cryotherapy, to help stimulate the natural healing force, and treat many specific ailments.
Physical Medicine: Naturopathic medicine has its own methods of therapeutic manipulation of muscles, bones, and spine to realign, relax and help restore the proper function of the body. NDs are also trained in physical treatments such as exercise therapy, ergonomics, ultrasound, massage, skin brushing, diathermy, electro-magnetic therapy and many others.
Psychological Medicine: Mental attitudes and emotional states may influence, or even cause, physical illness. Naturopathic physicians are trained in counseling, life coaching, stress management, and a variety of other psycho-spiritual methods.
Minor Surgery: As general practitioners, N.D.'s can do in office-minor surgery including repair of superficial wounds, removal of foreign bodies, cysts, and other superficial masses
Emergency medicine: As medical providers, NDs are required to have a working knowledge of emergency medicine in order to competently handle emergencies at the office or around town. NDs are not a substitute for EMTs, but can act as first responders and support other professionals in emergency situations.
Obstetrics: NDs who have additional training can provide natural childbirth care in an out-of-hospital setting including pre-natal and post-natal care.
Naturopathic physicians learn to treat all aspects of family health and wellness, from pediatrics to geriatrics. They tailor their therapies to meet the individual needs of each patient, factoring in physical, social, emotional and spiritual aspects before prescribing a course of treatment. Because they view natural remedies as complementary as well as primary medicines, naturopathic physicians cooperate with other medical professionals, referring patients to conventional medical doctors, surgeons and specialists whenever appropriate.
Are NDs Licensed?
Yes! Naturopathic Doctors are Licensed Physicians:A naturopathic physician is a practitioner that has graduated from an accredited naturopathic university. Naturopathic universities are full-time four year medical schools whose curriculum includes a substantial number of courses in western medical science, as well as courses in naturopathic healing principles, botanical medicine, nutrition, detoxification, homeopathy and mind-body medicine. These programs include approximately 4,500 hours of academic and clinical training.
Graduates from naturopathic medical schools must pass the comprehensive naturopathic physicians licensing examinations (NPLEX) to be licensed as primary care physicians. In order to become licensed, candidates must also satisfy all requirements of the individual state or province in which they plan to practice.
Today’s naturopathic physicians artfully blend modern, cutting-edge diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with ancient and traditional methods. They offer the world a healing paradigm founded on a rational balance of tradition, science and respect for nature.
What are homeopathic practitioners?
Where a naturopathic doctor is trained in a wide range of natural therapies including homeopathy, a homeopath uses one form of treatment: homeopathy. Homeopathy is the use of remedies made from weak or infinitesimal doses of substances (plant, animal, mineral) that have been potentized (diluted and shaken) to stimulate a natural healing response in an individual with a disease or other health disorder. Homeopathic prescribing is a process involving thorough interviewing and careful selection of a remedy that fits the totality (entire symptom picture) of the patient. Many people have had profound experiences of healing through the appropriate administration of homeopathic remedies.Why do some unlicensed doctors call themselves "naturopaths"?
Consumers beware of the terminology. "Naturopathy" has in the recent past been used as a generic and vernacular term to describe an individual who utilizes non-drug and "natural" therapies in working with customers. For example, in some states, anyone can call him/herself a naturopath, but naturopathic doctors have to be licensed. An unlicensable naturopath has NOT graduated from four-year, doctoral-level, accredited naturopathic medical education programs, and therefore is NOT trained or licensed to diagnosis and treat. The terms "naturopath", "naturopathic physician" and "naturopathic doctor" are protected titles in many states. Unfortunately, the term "naturopath" is often utilized in unlicensed states as an equivalent to naturopathic doctor and is heavily utilized by graduates of diploma mills. Always check your practitioner's credentials. Know Your Doctor!Good Earth Medicine is your local NE Portland health clinic for complementary and alternative medicine including naturopathic, homeopathic, Chinese and herbal medicine. Our physicians treat the whole person in order to advance health and prevent disease.
