Naturopathic Medicine

FAQs about Naturopathic Medicine

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is the combination of the greatest achievements of the traditional, Western diagnostic and treatment techniques with the therapeutic methodologies of naturopathic and ancient medical methods.

What is the difference between modern and holistic medical approaches?

The shortest answer to this question is: “Traditional medicine heals the disease while the holistic medicine cures the patient.” Western medicine does not take into account the individual properties of each patient. For example, the western physician will prescribe the same Tylenol to different patients with a headache while homeopath will prescribe a different medicine to each of them, and the acupuncturist will use different acupoints based on patients’ constitution and medical history.

What is Environmental Medicine?

Environmental Medicine emphasizes on ecological impacts to patients’ wellbeing and performance. Environmental Medicine prevents and heals the result of an individual’s exposures to biological factors, substances and pollutants by dropping the entire harmful affliction on the organism through various depuration (sanitizing) practices.

What are the main principles of the Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is a uniquely designed natural methodology to wellbeing and curing which is on familiar terms with the perception of the natural treatment. By accentuating equilibrium of internal body energy through the stimulation, development, and maintenance of the natural curative ability of the individual, Naturopathic Medicine accomplishes a constitutional, the deepest level of healing.

Naturopathic Physicians are qualified to assist as primary care medical doctors. Naturopathic doctors are also experts in the prevention, controlling, and healing of diverse serious, chronic medical disorders.

In general, all ethical and philosophical principles of the naturopathic medicine came from the traditional medicine developed by the ancient physicians. Some of them listed below:

  • Hippocrates (Hippocratic Corpus) (5th century BC)
  • Criton of Heraclea (1st-2nd century AD)
  • Gargilius Martialis (3rd century)
  • Menemachus (1st century AD)
  • Aulus Cornelius Celsus (1st century AD)
  • Paulus Aegineta (7th century)
  • Heraclides of Tarentum (1st century BC)
  • Herodotus (1st century AD)
  • Herophilus (3rd century BC)
  • Xenocrates of Aphrodisias (1st century AD)
  • Rufus of Ephesus (2nd century AD)
  • Scribonius Largus (1st century AD)

Naturopathic Medicine follows the main rule “Primum non nocere” which can be translated from Latin as “First of all don’t Damage.” 

Naturopathic medicine applies harmless and effective healing techniques using another homeopathic principal “Vis medicatrix naturae”, – “The Curative Power of Mother Nature”.
The live organisms retain the natural gift to reinstate and reestablish normal healthy functioning. The practitioner has to enable and expedite this process using the power of natural factors. This role of naturopathic medicine comes from another ancient rule “Tolle causam”, which can be translated as “Recognize the primary origin of the disorder. That’s why a detailed understanding of the reasons for the development of disease in each particular patient is so important in holistic medicine. Based on this particular rule holistic doctors pursue and heal the fundamental sources of medical conditions. Holistic practitioners believe that one medical disorder causes the development of another, and the longer the initial medical condition exists, the more problems it creates in other structures, tissues and systems of the body. That’s where the next rule “Tolle totum” or “Treat the patient, not the disease” comes from.

What healing techniques holistic doctors vouch for?

A holistic doctor usually has numerous of different medical strategies and techniques including acupuncture, herbal medicine, hypnotherapy, reiki, reflexology, vitamins and dietary supplements, stone therapy, phototherapy, and more. Following the main rules mentioned above holistic practitioner chooses the most appropriate healing approach in each particular case, making the treatment unique and personalized.

What is the holistic practitioners’ position about the use of pharmaceuticals drugs and diagnostic techniques of traditional medicine?

The majority of people believe that holistic practitioners are against pharmaceutical drugs, traditional diagnostic techniques, X-Rays, MRIs, etc. This is a wrong opinion. A holistic doctor is first of all DOCTOR. The role of the holistic practitioner is to learn the ability of the particular patient for self-healing, and if this ability is strong, homeopath or acupuncturist will stimulate patient’s internal energy to reestablish health and wellness. However, in many cases, the disease is so developed that human body is unable to fight. Cancer is a good example for this topic. When malignant cells grow in the body, they first of all impact an immune system and human body is unable to tolerate. In those cases pharmaceutical drugs and/or radiological treatments are mandatory. Even so, the natural medicine can be used in oncology clinic to ease the side effects of chemotherapy and to improve the body energy and mental status.

What about insurance coverage?                  

Most of the holistic techniques are not covered by health insurance. The only exception is acupuncture, however in Pennsylvania acupuncture covered only by 2 plans – United health care and Government employee health insurance plan. A common issue I heard from people about Ativan was that it was too addictive and they couldn’t stop taking it. I looked it up on https://www.westshorewomenshealth.com/about-us/ativan-online/. While there is truth to the statement, there is also a way out of it. If you feel like you need more Ativan to manage your anxiety, you can always talk to your doctor to get you started on something else. Insurance plans in the state of New Jersey usually cover acupuncture. HMO plans make an exception in this state and don’t pay to acupuncturists.

 Is there are any insurance coverage for Homeopathic evaluation and remedies?

No, Homeopathic medicine and remedies aren’t covered by insurance.

Who is the best naturopathic practitioner in Philadelphia?

When choosing a best naturopathic doctor, consider the following criteria:

  • School graduated
  • Experience
  • Recognition
  • Personality
  • Revies

If you live in Philadelphia area – look no further and call Viva Healthy Life to set up the initial FREE consultation with Dr. Tsan. Tell him about your medical problem and make your own decision.