Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a patient-centered approach to wellness that combines scientific principles, traditional knowledge, and evidence-based treatment options in order to provide personalized integrative care.
Naturopathic Medicine at Oasis Hormone Therapy and Wellness Center in San Diego
Our founder Dr. Brooke Leverone is a California-licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Bioidentical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) Specialist in La Jolla, CA. She holds a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University and has completed extensive training in BHRT, functional medicine, and nutrigenomics. Dr. Leverone and her team are passionate about helping people restore their health and find a newfound sense of balance and well-being.
Learn more about Dr. Brooke Leverone
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a healthcare modality that prioritizes non-invasive and non-toxic therapies to treat a variety of acute and chronic conditions. Patients often turn to naturopathic medicine for complex conditions such as hormonal imbalances, fatigue, chronic pain, digestive issues, metabolic dysfunction, menopause, adrenal fatigue, anxiety, and fibromyalgia. Since naturopathic medicine takes a holistic look at all aspects of a patient’s life and experience, qualified naturopathic doctors can provide comprehensive treatment plans to address a range of symptoms that can be difficult to treat with a standard approach. Many patients seek naturopathic solutions as a complement to typical western medicine, while others utilize an ND for their primary care.
How is a Naturopathic Doctor Different From Other Providers?
This is a common question! Here are a few key things that set an ND apart from other types of healthcare providers and wellness practitioners:
Education and Training
A naturopathic physician has a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND or NMD) degree from a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical college with admission requirements comparable to those of conventional medical schools. The ND degree requires four years of graduate-level study in medical sciences, including topics such as biochemistry, clinical diagnosis, immunology, gynecology, neurology, pathology, pharmacology, and more.
In addition to this standard medical curriculum, naturopathic medical students must do extensive coursework in natural therapeutics. This means naturopathic doctors receive significantly more hours of classroom education than the graduates of many leading medical schools.1 Prior to practicing naturopathic medicine, graduates must pass their state’s board licensing examination, and they are then subject to review by that state’s Board of Examiners.
Conversely, it is important to distinguish licensed naturopathic doctors from non-licensed practitioners. Traditional naturopaths or homeopaths may complete some type of course-work, but there are no standards of licensing or accreditation. Unlicensed providers who offer natural remedies, nutritional advice, or holistic remedies may not have the depth of knowledge and extensive training that is necessary to perform services such as lab work or understand important concepts like pharmaceutical interactions.
Patient Care
Have you ever been to a doctor’s appointment and felt rushed or gotten recommendations for treatment that you weren’t comfortable with? This often happens in a typical medical office because care is constrained by the limitations of western medicine models and health insurance guidelines. Naturopathic doctors are trained to view each patient as a whole person, not just a problem to be solved. There is also a strong emphasis on patient education.
As your naturopathic doctor, you can expect your naturopathic doctor at Oasis Hormone Therapy and Wellness Center to assess all the factors that may be contributing to your symptoms in order to find the underlying cause. We will take the time to discuss treatment options and create a plan that fits your lifestyle, taking care to make sure that you are an equal partner in your healing process.
Philosophical Approach
The principles of naturopathic medicine:
- Honor the importance of whole body wellness
- Affirm the body’s natural healing abilities
- Look beyond symptoms to treat underlying imbalances
- Focus on prevention
- Prioritize non-invasive and non-toxic solutions
Contact Us for Naturopathic Medicine in La Jolla
If you are seeking a naturopathic doctor in the San Diego area, or if you have any questions about naturopathic medicine, our team would love to talk to you. Contact us today to learn how we can help you take control of your health.
