Holistic Health Approaches, Jefferson City, MO

What to expect… The field of naturopathic medicine is becoming increasingly popular and more widely accepted as a vital component of healthcare delivery. Naturopathic medicine has been in use for hundreds of years, and has served as traditional/world-medicine for thousands of years. However, the evidence base for natural therapies has grown substantially in the last several decades. Evidence-based refers to science and medical studies documenting the effectiveness of therapies used by naturopathic medicine. A growing number of people are interested in visiting a naturopathic doctor (ND) in order to safely incorporate natural treatments for a wide variety of health issues. Many people who contact our office are curious about Naturopathy and what an initial appointment would include. Here is an overview of what to expect. As you read, please note this is a general overview. Each person is treated as an individual. There are no “preset” treatments or lab work packages. What one individual may require another may not. Length of Appointment We request you fill out our intake form prior to your appointment and bring it with you. This document will give us a general overview of your current health status. The document is 8 pages and will take you about 30 minutes to fill out. Block off 90 minutes of your valuable time, as this is the length of your initial appointment. This first visit is extended in order to give your ND a chance to get to know you and gain an in-depth knowledge of your health, both past and present. Desired Outcomes Everyone’s first appointment is different. You may have a specific health issue that needs addressed. Perhaps you are just looking for an overall assessment of your wellness. Another possibility is concern about using supplements effectively while on prescription drugs. Other options may include looking to make changes to reduce the need to take medications. Whatever the case, it will be addressed thoroughly at your initial appointment.  ​ You will be asked questions in order to make a detailed record of your health history and concerns. This will involve inquiry into your current and past health, medications, and lifestyle. You can expect a large portion of your first visit to be dedicated to having a discussion with your ND and giving a lot of information. It is important, on your first visit, that we gets an honest and comprehensive look at your health history and truly understands your individual experience in order to properly recommend the best plan for you going forward. Questions About Diet Food is a focal point in naturopathic medicine, so we will be asking a number of questions regarding your diet, including what you eat regularly, any supplements that you take, and how you feel after eating certain foods. Connections to GI health, energy, stress and sleep will be made. This will enable the us to come up with a plan that fits your individual situation and is root-cause-focused. Physical Exam and Tests This will vary from patient-to-patient depending on individual need. A general physical assessment may include standard blood pressure, heart rate, hydration status, overall bone density, urinalysis and more (all conducted in office). Naturopaths use conventional diagnostic tactics (blood tests, etc.) and the principles and practice of naturopathic medicine. They may incorporate East Asian Medicine (and other medical systems) diagnostic techniques and attention to physical details that can provide a holistic understanding of the patient’s complaints. Again, it depends on what the patient concerns are and discussion indicates is necessary to fully assess the patient need. Wrapping It Up At the end of the appointment, initial suggestions will be made to collaboratively create an individualized treatment plan and follow-up appointment schedule (if needed). Yes, you get a say in how to proceed forward! Depending on the findings from the intake and examination, we may recommend any or all of these following treatments: focused therapeutic nutrition, herbal medicine, supplements, mind-body techniques, homeopathy, physical medicine (chiropractic, physical therapy, DPL, ultrasound therapy), stress reduction approaches, lifestyle counseling, East Asian Medicine, hydrotherapy, referrals to other providers, reflexology, and more. In this office, we also work with your conventional doctors (making referrals when needed) to maximize the efforts of your wellbeing.  Bottom line… Naturopathy offers a whole person approach to wellbeing. A naturopath attends the same rigorous medical school and internships as other physicians. The difference being the focus of medical treatment and methods utilized. It would be our pleasure to work with you, to create a focused program to restore health and vitality.