What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
Naturopathic Doctors are trained at accredited, four-year, post-graduate medical colleges. The training consists of conventional basic sciences courses such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology along with physical, clinical and lab diagnosis during the first two years of education. The last two years of naturopathic medical school include clinical training and therapeutic education. Download the following document to view a table detailing the education of Naturopathic Doctors - /Documents/ND Education Table.pdf
Naturopathic Doctors (ND) are primary care physicians whose philosophy is derived from a Hippocratic teaching: Vis Medicatrix Naturae – healing power of nature. Naturopathic doctors diagnose disease and treat patients by using natural and non-invasive modalities such as herbal medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, counseling and hydrotherapy among others. This approach can be successfully used to treat both chronic and acute conditions.
Naturopathic medicine is a school of medical practice that blends non-toxic therapies, ancient knowledge and modern advances in medical science to assist body in recovering from illness and injury.
How are Naturopathic Doctors Licensed?
In the State of California the Department of Consumer Affairs' Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine, oversees the licensing of Naturopathic Doctors. Naturopathic Doctors receive their education at one of the AANMC approved naturopathic medical colleges. They must take and successfully pass the NPLEX Part I Basic Sciences Boards and NPLEX Part II Clinical Sciences Boards. Once licensed, a Naturopathic Doctor has to remain in good standing with the Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine and complete continuing education requirements.
What is your first visit like?
During your first office visit Dr. Mundeir will review your chief concerns along with a comprehensive look at your medical history. You are requested to bring in any recent lab or blood work results you may have done with other physicians. Any relevant physical exams are conducted and warranted laboratory testing (blood, urine, saliva, stool) will be ordered during your first office visit. An initial treatment plan will be drawn up and it may be altered when lab results come in. Prior to your first visit you are requested to download and fill out the following forms to make your first visit an efficient one: Intake, HIPPA form, Privacy and Health. A first office visit usually lasts one and a half hours, you are asked to block off enough time in your schedule and come open to discussing anything and everything regarding your health care. If you are requesting a homeopathic intake, your appointment will last 2.5 hours and you are requested to fill out and bring in the homeopathic intake document.
I would like to be your partner in your health care – I teach you how to gain control of your own health and you participate in making decisions that affect your treatment under my guidance. Naturopathic doctors concentrate on patients, not diseases and seek out the underlying cause of the disease.
There are six guiding principles in Naturopathic Medicine:
• First Do No Harm
o Primum Non Nocere
• The Healing Power of Nature
o Vis Medicatrix Naturae
• Treat the Cause
o Tolle Causam
• Treat the Whole Person
o Tolle Totum
• The Doctor is a Teacher
o Docere
• Prevention is the best ‘cure'