Overview
Naturopathic doctors (ND) are trained in natural medicine and integrative healthcare. They undergo medical training at accredited schools of naturopathic medicine and are regulated professionals licensed to practice as general practitioners. ND’s training in integrative health and medicine starts on day one of medical school, with an emphasis on key principles that guide their overall approach to patient assessment and care– the overarching goal is to restore physiological, psychological, emotional and structural balance.
Naturopathic doctors use evidence-based natural and alternative therapies in combination with necessary pharmaceutical and/or medical intervention to provide patients the best care and support.
Principles
Do No Harm: Naturopathic doctors use safe, effective and evidence-informed treatments to address patients’ health concerns.
The Healing Power of Nature: Naturopathic doctors recognize the body’s inherent ability to heal. Emphasis is on correcting the conditions for optimal health by supporting and enhancing the normal functions of the body.
Identify and Treat the Causes: Naturopathic doctors identify underlying factors that contribute to a patient’s health and disease and aim to reduce the impact of these factors.
Doctor as Teacher: Naturopathic doctors see patients as active participants in their healthcare and use the time with patients to educate and empower them to take responsibility for their own health.
Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic doctors view the body as an integrated whole that is influenced by internal and external factors.
Prevention: Naturopathic doctors focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.
Conditions
While many patients seek naturopathic care to address specific and sometimes long-standing disease or symptoms, others are healthy individuals looking to adopt a lifestyle, diet or mindset that continues to promote health and wellness, while reducing the risk of disease. Common conditions treated by naturopathic doctors include:
- Anxiety, depression and behavioral issues
- Fatigue and sleep issues
- Frequent illness
- Digestive health
- Thyroid, sex and adrenal hormone imbalances
- Autoimmune conditions
- Environmental and food allergies/sensitivities
- Memory and cognitive changes
- Cardio-metabolic health (such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol)
Services
Treatment plans outlined by your naturopathic doctor may include a combination of dietary and lifestyle changes, nutritional counseling, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplementation, pharmaceutical support and recommendations for physical treatment such as massage therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy or osteopathic manipulation therapy.
Many of these modalities can be managed in a team-based approach within our Integrative Medicine Department. Our provider team at the Costa Mesa and Yorba Linda locations are contracted with most PPO insurance plans for office visits.
Why Choose Us?
At the Samueli Institute, we pride ourselves in being able to take an innovative approach to diagnosis and treatment. Our team of naturopathic doctors are trained in doing just that, and have the resources of the Institute’s many clinical services to create the most effective treatment plan.