What is Naturopathic Medicine?
What is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND)?
How is an ND different from an MD?
What is a Traditional Naturopath?
Are ND’s currently licensed in Texas?
How do I know if my Naturopath is qualified as an ND?
Do you take insurance?
What can I expect at my first initial appointment?
How long will it take to see results?
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine offers the best of both worlds – an understanding of conventional medicine combined with natural and less invasive methods that have been researched and backed by science and research.
Naturopathic medicine approaches the body as a whole, interconnected unit and believes that the body has the innate ability to heal. Various modalities are used are used to heal the body including Nutrition, Homeopathy, Botanicals, Detoxification, Chinese herbs & acupuncture, Spinal manipulation, Hydrotherapy, and Environmental medicine.
What is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND)?
A Naturopathic Doctor (ND) refers to someone who has graduated from a 4-year, doctorate level program from one of the naturopathic medical schools accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Currently there are seven accredited 4-year Naturopathic medical programs in the US. The list of the accredited schools can be found at www.aanmc.org.
NDs in licensed states are able to offer their patients primary care services including physical exams, well woman exams, well baby check ups, injections, minor surgery, and lab work requisitions. In addition to offering natural treatment options including Nutrition, Homeopathy, Botanicals, Detoxification, Chinese herbs & acupuncture, Spinal manipulation, Hydrotherapy, and Environmental medicine they are able t0 prescribe some pharmaceutical medications.
Currently, 16 states, 5 Canadian provinces, the District of Columbia, and the US territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands all have laws regulating naturopathic doctors (NDs). In these states and provinces, NDs are required to graduate from a four-year, residential naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license.
(visit www.aanmc.org for more information)
How is an ND different from an MD?
An ND receives the same medical training as an MD. Both attend accredited four-year medical programs and complete clinical rotations. ND’s also learn pharmacology like MD’s however, ND’s also learn other therapeutic modalities including Nutrition, Homeopathy, Botanicals, Detoxification, Chinese herbs & acupuncture, Spinal manipulation, Hydrotherapy, and Environmental medicine and ND’s emphasize these natural therapies first with their clients.
What is a Traditional Naturopath?
Traditional Naturopaths use naturopathic approaches to health. They do not use drugs, injections, or surgery. Many on-line or distance programs offer training in Naturopathy through correspondence or the internet. These programs are not accredited by agencies by the Department of Education.
Are ND’s currently licensed in Texas?
No. Texas currently does not license and regulate Naturopathic medicine or Naturopathic doctors and therefore NDs are unable to offer primary care services in the state. Also, because Texas does not regulate the profession, anyone is able to call themselves an ‘ND’ in the state of Texas.
How do I know if my Naturopath is qualified as an ND?
If education is important to you when deciding which Naturopath to see be sure to ask specific questions about their education. The following questions can help you determine if the ND graduated from an accredited program:
1) Did you graduate from a four-year accredited medical program?
2) Which school did you graduate from?
3) Did you take and pass the Basic Science board examinations given by NPLEX?
4) Did you take and pass the Clinical Science board examinations given by NPLEX?
5) Do you have a medical license from a state does license NDs? Which state?
To find out how you can help support licensure for Naturopathic medicine in Texas please visit www.txand.org or www.naturopathic.org
We will not bill your insurance directly. We will provide you with an invoice that you can submit to your insurance company. Some insurance companies reimburse a portion or all of the visit. Also, you can submit the invoice to be applied against a Flexible Savings Plan or Health Savings Account.
What can I expect at my first initial appointment?
Your appointments with Dr. Singh, ND will be very different compared to other appointments with other doctors. Your first initial appointment will be scheduled for 1.5 hours. At this time you will share your complete medical health history, health concerns, and goals with Dr Singh, ND. You will discuss your lifestyle, nutritional habits, daily stresses, and emotional health as well. Dr. Singh, ND will also provide you with a metabolic assessment lab kit which you will take home and complete.
Once Dr. Singh, ND has reviewed your health history, past health records, analyzed your most recent blood work, and received the results from the metabolic lab kit she will go over the plan she put together for you. This plan may include suggestions for further testing, focused supplementation, homeopathic remedies, nutritional or lifestyle changes, detoxification, or changes to your environment.
How long will it take to see results?
Of course this answer varies from person to person but a general guideline Dr. Singh, ND uses is that it will take 1-2 months for every year that you have been suffering from a chronic condition to return to a state of well being. Once you start on a wellness plan she likes to follow up more frequently in the beginning but once you’re health has started shifting back to a more vital state she feels comfortable following up every 6-8 weeks. The ultimate goal is to completely resolve the symptoms and regain health so that you don’t need to come in on a regular basis.
