More About Naturopathic Medicine

Considering alternative medical care for your cancer?

Confronting cancer is a serious challenge for anyone. Conventional medicine offers established protocols such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery treated by those trained as medical doctors. Alternative therapies on the other hand are practiced by naturopathic doctors who can offer a greater suite of modalities that can complement or even replace conventional care. If you’re considering alternative therapies, here are some key insights that will help you decide.

Training Differences Between Naturopathic Doctors and Medical Doctors

The training is similar in many ways. Naturopathic doctors focus on the root causes of an illness like cancer and take a holistic approach to help empower patients in their overall treatment plan. Naturopathic doctors work alongside the patient, which helps them dial in the therapies for each individual.

Medical doctor training

• A conventional medical school covers basic and clinical sciences with clinical rotations: 4 years

• Licensing exam upon graduation

• Residency training in a specialty: 3-7 years

• Board certification

• Continuing medical education (CME) via conferences, workshops, seminars, and courses to stay current.

• Optional fellowships for advanced specialty training: 1-3 years

Naturopathic Education and Training

• A Naturopathic medical school covers both conventional medical science and naturopathic modalities. The curriculum includes basic and clinical sciences and naturopathic therapies: 4 years

• Clinical training in outpatient clinics and community health centers.

• Licensing exam upon graduation.

• Continuing education in naturopathic medicine and research that includes conferences, seminars, workshops, and courses.

• Specialization training like oncology or pediatrics.

Principles of alternative medicine:

Alternative medicine will focus on treating the whole person to identify the root cause. In the case of cancer, oftentimes conventional therapies can come with serious side effects. By contrast, alternative therapies focus on doing no harm, so side effects tend to be limited. There is a great deal of doctor-to-patient communication as both work together on an individual basis to not only treat the cancer at hand but also to prevent the cancer from recurring.

If you decide to consult with a naturopathic doctor, here is how to best prepare by looking at our Dayspring Cancer Clinic process:

1. Review:

• Family medical history

• Personal health history

• Current medications and supplements

• Diet

• Physical activity

• Sleep

• Mental health

• Relationships

• Current stressors

• Energy

1. Prepare:

• Send medical records

• Family medical history

• List of medications and supplements taken

• Current symptoms or health concerns

• Your typical diet and any symptoms you notice when eating

Conclusion

To find out more about your options in individualized alternative therapies for your cancer, talk to Dr. Andrew Dickens, a leading expert in alternative medicine therapies at all stages and types of cancers by calling 480-699-7400 or schedule a consultation at https://www.dayspringcancerclinic.com/contact.

Tags:

• blog