What is a Naturopathic Doctor?

MY JOURNEY

The glorious day I earned my white coat to begin clinical rounds!

“A naturo-what?”, “A homeo-what?” This is a common response I hear when I say that “I am a Naturopathic Doctor". The confusion is understandable and even expected in certain situations now. The type of doctor I chose to become is not the mainstream and conventional portrayal of a doctor. This is actually a big reason why I did choose to become a Naturopathic Doctor. I welcome the curiosity as an opportunity to bring awareness that Naturopathic Doctors and Naturopathic Medicine do exist as an excellent option for health care and overall well-being. I am truly grateful every day that this is my career, my passion, and what I get to share with the world to make it a better place!

I never heard of a Naturopathic Doctor myself until April 2012 when I began my own personal healing journey from a few mental/emotional and physical health concerns. All I really knew at the time was what Western Medicine has taught us to believe… when you don’t feel good, then take a pill to “feel better”. My dad is a PA in the emergency department and I worked three years as a medical assistant in a busy internal medicine office. Just take the medication, right? Well thankfully, life had led me to crave and desire true healing instead of a quick Band-Aid or pharmaceutical drug to suppress the deeper problems within. I was at a pivotal point in my health journey where I sincerely wanted to feel better all around: mind, body, and soul!

NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL TRAINING

Naturopathic Doctors are primary health care professionals who blend the wisdom of nature with the knowledge of science. We train vigorously for four years in both a classroom and clinical setting at an accredited naturopathic medicine school. There are only 7 accredited naturopathic medical programs between the USA and Canada. I chose to attend Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona and graduated with Honors in 2016. 

Throughout our training, we are immersed in the Biomedical Sciences, General Medicine Diagnosis, and Pharmacology along with naturopathic medical systems such as Botanical Medicine, Nutritional Medicine, Mind-Body Medicine, Environmental Medicine, Homeopathic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Physical Medicine, and so much more. After graduation and earning a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine, we must pass naturopathic medical boards to become licensed/registered practitioners in certain states. 

NATUROPATHIC PRINCIPLES OF HEALING

NDs or NMDs provide therapies that are generally the least harmful and most effective approach to help the body restore itself to balance and reach for optimal health. Our guiding principles are as follows and I feel just as drawn to them today as I did when I discovered them many years ago:

1. First, Do No Harm.

2. Embrace The Healing Power Of Nature.

3. Treat The Whole Person.

4. Find The Root Cause Of The Problem.

5. Be Both Doctor & Teacher.

6. Prevention Is The Best Cure.  

MY MISSION

My mission is to empower people around the world to achieve their health & wellness goals by providing professional guidance and support along their personal healing journey. True healing is never as easy as taking a pill. It takes commitment, persistence, and determination to strive for the optimal version of your Self. I believe in YOU and I am here to help show the way!

MY SERVICES

My medical practice integrates various natural techniques to create a customized and holistic healing experience. I offer in-person appointments in Nature as well as online appointments to reach any one any where who is ready to live life on purpose and heal together. Personal wellness consults include a detailed plan of action that we work together on bringing into reality. Personalized healing sessions include guided meditation, yoga, gemstones, reiki, chakra balancing, affirmations, and more.

My favorite healing techniques are nutritional guidance, supplement recommendations, lifestyle counseling, the mind-body connection, energy healing, botanical herbs, environmental detox, movement medicine, homeopathy, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, and yes even Western medicine at times. Discover more about these wonderful modalities under the Techniques tab on my website www.doctoramberjade.com.

MY SPECIALTIES

My favorite conditions to work with are disease prevention, mental health, women’s health, autoimmune disease, gastrointestinal ailments, and metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity. I also work with many other chronic diseases where conventional medicine’s main treatment protocol is typically pharmaceuticals or surgery. 

THANK YOU

I hope this blog has informed you at least a little bit about what a Naturopathic Doctor is and why I love being one. I hope even more that it has opened your mind to explore what it could be like to truly feel better mentally, emotionally, physically, and beyond. Thank you so much for reading and being a part of this beautiful journey with me. If you are interested in learning more about working together, please send an email to hello@doctoramberjade.com and schedule a FREE discovery phone call with me. Let’s Live On Purpose!