San Diego, July 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Approximately 300 licensed naturopathic doctors are gathering this week to share research and best practices for whole person health care at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians 2018 Annual Convention. Licensed naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained to uncover, evaluate, and address relevant obstacles to healing originating in the body, mind, and spirit. This is according to the Institute for Natural Medicine (INM), which today released a new FAQ on treating the whole person, in partnership with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP).
While most primary care providers are trained to treat the body, few also address matters of the mind and spirit, elements that are equally important. Multiple factors contribute to health and disease, including diet, lifestyle, genetics, psycho-emotional makeup, spirituality, socioeconomic position, environmental issues, and more. Research shows that whole-person healthcare often leads to higher patient satisfaction and improved outcomes. Licensed naturopathic doctors take extra time with patients to treat the whole person by:
- Identifying Underlying Causes of Illness. While aches and pains, stomach discomfort, trouble sleeping, and other symptoms of illness can be reduced or managed, naturopathic doctors focus on understanding and treating the root cause of these symptoms, whenever possible.
- Providing Individualized Care. Naturopathic doctors give each person tailored therapies specific to their genetics, nutrition status, lifestyle, and capacity for implementing suggestions--not just a set of instructions to follow. In order to assess, educate, and inform patients adequately, NDs often spend one hour or more in an initial appointment, and 30+ minutes in subsequent appointments.
- Addressing Behavior and Lifestyle Factors. NDs' rigorous training in areas such as clinical nutrition, behavioral medicine, botanical medicine, and others makes them expert at prescribing and supporting essential, effective, and enduring behavior and lifestule modifications which impact health outcomes. Among U.S. adults, 90 percent of Type 2 diabetes, 80 percent of cardiovascular disease, 70 percent of stroke, and 70 percent of color cancer are potentially preventable by modifiable lifestyle changes.
"More than one-third of Americans seek out holistic care,” said Michelle Simon, Ph.D., ND, and Chair of the INM Board of Directors. “Naturopathic doctors, who evaluate and address physical, behavioral, and emotional components of health, may be a good fit for people who have struggled to find answers about their health concerns. They are a great match for individuals searching for a comprehensive, whole-person approach to managing health.”
The complete FAQ “What do naturopathic doctors mean by treat the whole person?” can be found here.
About the Institute for Natural Medicine
The Institute for Natural Medicine (INM) is a national not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides public education about naturopathic medicine and increases consumer access to naturopathic doctors. As a close partner to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the INM strives to increase consumer and physician choice in safe, effective healthcare that improves patient outcomes and lowers costs. For more information visit www.naturemed.org or call 855-799-4490.
About the AANP
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians is the professional association that represents licensed naturopathic physicians. The AANP strives to make naturopathic medicine available to every American and to increase recognition of naturopathic physicians as the identified authorities on natural medicine. Learn more at www.naturopathic.org.
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