NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Founded upon a holistic philosophy, Naturopathic Medicine combines safe and effective traditional therapies with the most current advances in modern medicine. Naturopathic Medicine is appropriate for the management of a broad range of health conditions affecting all people of all ages.

Naturopathic physicians (N.D’s/N.M.D’s) are the highest trained practitioners in the broadest scope of naturopathic medical modalities. In addition to the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostics, naturopathic education includes therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, classical Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology and minor surgery (as cited by AANP).

Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine

First Do No Harm - Naturopathic therapies are safe and effective.

The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae) - The body possesses the inherent power to heal itself ( "vis medicatrix naturae"). Naturopathic physicians facilitate this process with the aid of natural, non-toxic therapies.

Identify and Treat the Cause - Naturopathic physicians seek to treat the underlying cause of disease.

Treat the Whole Person - A naturopathic physician tends to the mind, body and spirit of the patient and creates a treatment plan according to each patient’s individual needs.

Physician as Teacher - The original meaning of the word “doctor” was teacher. Naturopathic physicians educate, empower and motivate patients to take responsibility for their own health.

Prevention is the Best Cure - The prevention of disease and the attainment of optimal health in patients are primary objectives of naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic physicians assess risk factors, heredity and susceptibility in order to reduce and prevent illness. Healthy lifestyle incorporating good nutrition is the foremost preventive measure.

Education of a Naturopathic Physician

A Licensed naturopathic physician (N.D/N.M.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 physician is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health). A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician. Additional information on naturopathic schools can be found at www.aanmc.org/.
(as cited by AANP)

Conditions and Treatments

Dr. Lutrin has been extensively trained to treat a full range of diseases and disorders. She uses acupuncture, botanical medicine, nutrition, lifestyle modification, dietary supplements, homeopathy, injections and I.V. therapy, combining modalities and varying treatments to suit the patient’s uniqueness.