Philosophy
Naturopathic doctors are trained as general family practitioners who address the underlying cause of disease through effective, individualized natural therapies that integrate the healing powers of body, mind and spirit. Naturopathic doctors 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 doctor is to employ therapies that support and promote the body's natural healing process, leading to the highest state of wellness.
The goals of the Sage doctors are to provide personalized care for each person that focuses on whole person wellness, listening to you so we get to know you as an individual, empowering you and/or your family through extensive health education, and finally encouraging you and your family to be active participants in your health journey.
As professional leaders and pioneers in science-based natural medicine, naturopathic doctors 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. The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians is the state organization of the profession. Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are the highest trained practitioners in the broadest scope of naturopathic medical modalities. The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine is a four-year program to train holistic primary care doctors and prepare them to sit for examination in states and provinces that license NDs.
Naturopathic medicine is a distinctive approach to health and healing that recognizes the integration of the whole person. It is an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness. Naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles which underlie and determine its practice. These principles are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances. Naturopathic medicine is heir to the vitalistic tradition of medicine in the Western world and emphasizes the treatment of disease through the stimulation, enhancement, and support of the inherent healing power of the body. Methods of treatment are chosen that respect the natural healing process and are chosen upon the basis of patient individuality.
Education of a Naturopathic Doctor
A Licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.) attends a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D. but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic doctor is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, psychology and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health), and Chinese medicine philosophy. A naturopathic doctor takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice doctor. Additional information on naturopathic schools can be found at http://www.aanmc.org/.
Naturopathic doctors are trained as general family practitioners who address the underlying cause of disease through effective, individualized natural therapies that integrate the healing powers of body, mind and spirit. Naturopathic doctors 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 doctor is to employ therapies that support and promote the body's natural healing process, leading to the highest state of wellness.
The goals of the Sage doctors are to provide personalized care for each person that focuses on whole person wellness, listening to you so we get to know you as an individual, empowering you and/or your family through extensive health education, and finally encouraging you and your family to be active participants in your health journey.
As professional leaders and pioneers in science-based natural medicine, naturopathic doctors 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. The Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians is the state organization of the profession. Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are the highest trained practitioners in the broadest scope of naturopathic medical modalities. The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine is a four-year program to train holistic primary care doctors and prepare them to sit for examination in states and provinces that license NDs.
Naturopathic medicine is a distinctive approach to health and healing that recognizes the integration of the whole person. It is an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness. Naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles which underlie and determine its practice. These principles are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances. Naturopathic medicine is heir to the vitalistic tradition of medicine in the Western world and emphasizes the treatment of disease through the stimulation, enhancement, and support of the inherent healing power of the body. Methods of treatment are chosen that respect the natural healing process and are chosen upon the basis of patient individuality.
Education of a Naturopathic Doctor
A Licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.) attends a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D. but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic doctor is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, psychology and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health), and Chinese medicine philosophy. A naturopathic doctor takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice doctor. Additional information on naturopathic schools can be found at http://www.aanmc.org/.
Scope of Practice
The scope of practice of naturopathic doctors (NDs) varies by jurisdiction. Currently, fourteen states, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and five Canadian provinces license naturopathic doctors. Several of these jurisdictions regard NDs as primary care physicians and provide them with the scope of diagnostic and therapeutic privileges necessary to be the doctor first seen by the patient for general health care, for advice on keeping healthy, and for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic conditions. In those jurisdictions in which NDs are not licensed, the scope of practice excludes the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
The naturopathic doctor is defined by the U.S. Department of Labor as one who "diagnoses, treats, and cares for patients, using a system of practice that bases its treatment of all physiological functions and abnormal conditions on natural laws governing the body, utilizes physiological, psychological and mechanical methods, such as air, water, heat, earth, phytotherapy (treatment by use of plants), electrotherapy, physiotherapy, minor surgery, mechanotherapy, naturopathic corrections and manipulation, and all natural methods or modalities, together with natural medicines, natural processed foods, herbs, and natural remedies. Excludes major surgery, therapeutic use of x-ray and radium, and prescribing of drugs, except those assimilable substances containing elements or compounds which are compounds of body tissues and are physiologically compatible to body processes for maintenance of life."
The therapeutic modalities used by the doctors at Sage Holistic Health are described below.
Clinical Nutrition: Food is the best medicine and is a cornerstone of our naturopathic practice. Many medical conditions can be treated more effectively with foods and nutritional supplements than they can by other means, with fewer complications and side effects. We examine the diet and suggest healthy changes, natural hygiene, cleansing and fasting, and nutritional supplementation in our practice.
Botanical Medicine: Many plant substances are powerful medicines. Where isolated chemically derived drugs may address only a single problem, botanical medicines are able to address a variety of problems simultaneously. When properly utilized, most botanical medicines can be applied effectively with minimal likelihood of side effects.
Homeopathic Medicine: Homeopathic medicine is based on the principle of "like cures like." Clinical observation indicates that it works on a subtle, yet powerful, energetic level, gently acting to promote healing on the physical, mental, and spiritual levels.
Mind/Body Medicine: Mental attitudes and emotional states may influence, or even cause, physical illness. Lifestyle counseling, nutritional balancing, stress management, and other therapies are used to help patients heal psychologically.
Physical Medicine: Naturopathic medicine has its own methods of therapeutic manipulation of soft tissue, muscles, bones, and spine. We also use exercise, massage, water, heat and cold, and gentle electrical therapies. Dr. Plummer uses massage therapy extensively in her practice.
Oriental Medicine: Within the naturopathic doctoral program, Oriental medicine is a healing philosophy that is complementary to naturopathic medicine. Oriental medical theory offers an important understanding of the unity of the body and mind and adds to the Western understanding of physiology. Dr. Koloski utilizes oriental medicine extensively in her practice.
"Scope of practice" is specifically defined by the legislation in the various states and provinces that license or regulate naturopathic medicine, and practice varies significantly among states, provinces, and countries. Currently there is no regulation of naturopathic medicine in the state of Colorado. Therefore, the doctors at Sage Holistic Health limit their scope of practice. To learn more about this topic, see Colorado Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
