I have been asked by a few friends, "Why go to a naturopath?" Aren't those naturopaths kinda.. ya know.. fruity or witch doctor-ish?"
I still go to regular M.D.s for issues like strep tests or infections. I still have my regular OB/GYN. There are a lot of advances in western medicine that have saved a lot of lives and there is certainly some great technology that has helped with research and saving lives.
So, why bother with a Homeopath or a Naturopath? Why not just trust what your regular M.D. says?
I have been weeding out things in my life that have not been healthy for me; certain foods, certain habits and certain drugs. Taking a holistic approach to my health also meant opening up to alternative medicines. I found it to be congruent with the lifestyle changes I was already making.
I actually chuckle when I say alternative because so many treatments used by naturopaths are actually treatments that have been used long before western medicine. They use medicines that come from the earth or are closely related to what is found in nature and our body works in tandem with these.
I have also found that I can get more conclusive results with some issues that I couldn't get with a regular doctor. The saliva test I took for my hormones was much more accurate than a blood test. A blood test would have only indicated that I was in normal range and that I was estrogen dominant. The saliva test measured my hormone levels and my DHEA levels. The compounding pharmacist knows just how much progesterone I need and mixes a treatment for my needs, specific for me.
My daughter also had ADD (attention deficit disorder) testing done. When I took her to her pediatrician he said there was no "test" to determine if she was ADD, he just asked her a few questions and determined she was ADD. There was no saliva, no urine, no blood, no nothing to take a physical test. I found that bothersome. The naturopath took a urine test and measured her brain levels. She was above the normal levels in all 13 brain chemicals. Again, a more conclusive test. She is now on a series of natural supplements that will level out these brain chemicals.
Friends of mine have said their child receive a psychological test done to determine if their child was ADD/ADHD. While I believe psychologist are important, this sort of test would not have been helpful for her.
Symptomology was also another reason I chose to go to a naturopath. A good naturopath will make sure the symptoms match the test results. If something seems off with the results and the symptoms, there is more for them to explore.
When I didn't like the treatment recommended by my OB/GYN I didn't fire him, I simply went to an alternative source and will go back to my doctor and give him information that he didn't give me. He is a good doctor, maybe he just isn't informed about the treatment I got. Maybe he hasn't put much faith in the treatment. I will let him know my alternative treatment was successful for me and hopefully he will consider that the next time a patient of his asks for a natural alternative. It would be great to have the worlds integrated.
I believe all doctors go into practice to treat patients and make them well. Every doctor has something to offer. Essentially, going to a naturopath gives me more options. I have more options for treatment and staying drug free as long as possible.