My first visit with the Naturopath Doctor was exciting.
In a 1-hour consultation, I felt like we made more progress with my health issues than the past few years with my regular family physician.
My regular family physician tends to dismiss everything I tell him and I feel like I’ve had no resolve for any of my digestive and reproductive issues. [I’m not saying that all family physicians are like this. I know there are great doctors out there.] I’m looking for a new doctor, but no one seems to be taking on new patients right now, especially because I already have a physician. I would have to first terminate my relationship with my current doctor and go on a wait list, which of course is a big risk when I’m not guaranteed to find a doctor right away. So I’m still on the hunt.
This is partly what made me seek out a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Because it’s a private health care service, finding a doctor is easy and quick. The only downside is the cost. My insurance covers $15 per appointment, so most of the expense is coming out of my pocket. I’ve heard so many great things about ND’s, so I feel like the benefit will outweigh the cost.
I arrived about 15 minutes early and was greeted by the ND himself. He gives me a warm smile with kind eyes, while shaking my hand with what I think is the gentlest handshake I’ve ever felt. I feel like I’m crushing his hand and I quickly loosen my grip. I’m given a few forms to fill out which are mainly about my health history and present concerns that I would like to address. After filling out about 4 pages, we head into his exam room for the consultation.
The next hour was life changing.
After a brief chat, the doctor told me about his training and background. Impressive to say the least.
“What do you know about Naturopathy?”
Oh shit.
I mumbled something about treating the whole person and made wild gestures with my hands.
He smiled and nodded in a way that made me feel like a genius. I like him already.
I learned that Naturopathy is based on a holistic approach to health. In other words, it looks at the person as a whole. All of the psychological, physical, and social issues that make us who we are today are taken into account. You cannot treat an illness until you find and address the root cause of the illness. The goal is to help the body heal itself rather than using medication (unless necessary, of course).
The doctor told me that his main areas of clinical interest are gastrointestinal health, detoxification, and treatment of anxiety and stress related disorders.
The next hour was filled with relief. He listened to me as if what I was saying was the most important thing in the world. He didn’t dismiss anything I said. He was empathetic.
He even cracked jokes when he sensed that I was starting to squirm when talking about my poop.
That’s a good doctor.
Sounds great! I hope you two figure things out!
Ang, I am so happy for you, I think this approach is the way to go for you and it only compliments the lifestyle you live (with being into natural foods and health.) Best of luck.
It is the BEST feeling to find a doctor on board with you and who really cares about your needs and concerns. I have to say, I have had MANY awful experiences in this big city where I live (LA). They see a ton of people in a day (so waiting 2 hours to see them for maybe 5 mins!), no follow up, no concern, etc. When I lived in a smaller town, wow I felt like a queen. I am still keeping my positive outlook that I will too find a great doctor that also, does not charge a small fortune!! :)
ps Yes he is a great doctor, with that question if you know what I mean, haha. ;)
Thanks Moni :)
ps- I’m in such a small town there is NO doctor…lol.
So great that you are off to a good start. But please also applaud yourself – takes courage to make the steps to feel better :) Looking forward to hearing more about it!
Moving outside of the standard health system is courageous. People are so quick to dismiss alternative angles from which we can view our health. Good for you, Ang.
You certainly have my attention. I am looking forward to part 2. I hope you are feeling better. I love you ange and want the best for you. You are a light in my world. Love to Eric and Sketchie <33
So happy for you. :)
I don’t think you should wholly dismiss our MD’s. I think its a matter of finding one who isn’t seeing a huge amount of patients and getting people to come in and out without really paying attention to what they are saying or how they are feeling. Especially if you feel like you have an issue that does need to be looked at by modern medicine, it is great to use an ND for alternative therapy and as a complement to modern medicine but do not give up on the MD’s who are at your disposal. We are lucky in Canada that we don’t have to pay for things out of our pocket like CT scans or ultrasounds, which will diagnose serious issues and cost a fortune for people without insurance in other countries.
My GP sounds a lot like your ND and it took me a long time to find her. I also find that a lot of issues are a manifestation of anxiety and MD’s see that and so may act dismissive towards certain symptoms especially if they know you have an anxiety or stress disorder (in which case they should refer you to the proper therapist who can take more time to discuss in depth what is going on). Anyways, I am still glad you had a positive experience with the ND and I hope you heal fast!
I’m not dismissing traditional physicians. I said that I’m actively looking for a new family doctor and I def. still want to continue seeing one on a regular basis. I truly believe there are great doctors out there! Sometimes it just takes time to find the right one.
This is sub exciting news to hear! I am currently awaiting my nutrtition consulting course to start, but can truly appreciate the benefits of the homeopathic doctor! So much time is spent at the traditional doctors office when they seem to have tunnel vision when looking into the root of an illness. Wishing you the best of luck! Xo
Sounds so productive! I’ve been considering doing this myself, so I’m watching you expectantly to see how things work out for you!
PS: I don’t know what I ever ate before I found your blog because I use your recipes for nearly everything I make now. I always have the Lightened-Up Granola and the chocolate chip cookie dough balls on hand, as well as frozen bananas, and last night I tried the Salt and Vinegar Chips. Husband loved them!
awwwh.. left hanging!! I can’t wait to hear more. I’ve been a few times, but mine was no good at all. She pushed her own brand of stuff on me, costing over $600 per month, when I said I couldn’t afford it she said “well it’s for the cost of your health”… thank you!! haha
That’s awesome :) I can’t wait to hear more.
I’ve been suffering for years with digestive problems and was told by a professor of medicine the only option was major surgery. I recently decided to visit a herbalist and I have been feeling amazing. The difference is astounding. It just shows that “conventional” isn’t the only option. So glad I sought out alternatives, even if it did take me a few years!
I’m happy to hear that :)
Glad you had a good experience!
you will continue to have such a positive experience with this angela! i’m so happy you are going the holistic route with your health issues. i went back to school for a masters in acupuncture and holistic medicine (after working as a nurse and realizing what our healthcare system really is about, and wanting to help people in a different approach) and our entire approach is treating the patient as a whole, taking note of their spirit and surroundings, etc. everyone is different, theres no cookie cutter one-pill-cures all, and thats the beauty of this medicine! good luck to you, and i’m looking forward to reading about your experience!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us…you are so generous Angela! It’s so rare for healthy living bloggers to share the less positive sides of their lives, but when you do so you become even more relatable and your blog so much more educational re. real issues that affect us all. I’ve been pondering taking this path for similar issues, so I can’t wait to hear the next installment…
I’m so happy that you are making progress with your health issues. I too have had digestive problems (I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease). My regular doctor never suggested any natural ways of healing my symptoms. He just prescribed stronger and stronger drugs till my symptoms were lessened. I did my own research and have made significant changes in my diet with awesome results. I really wish I would have met with and neuropathic doctor earlier. It could have saved me from all my symptoms early. Thank you for spreading this message!
I am excited for you, Angela! while I still visit my GP on occasion (and even made her meet WITH me and my ND!), I am so very happy with natural medicine, and gladly pay the cost myself.
again, I am VERY excited for you!!
After 3 years of being very sick and countless physicians, I was lucky enough to find a great ND. My Candida problem was quickly found, and I am feeling better than I have in years! Now I have enrolled in nutrition school, and it is my Passion to educated people on the healing power of whole foods and Integrative nutrition. I really enjoy your recipes, and am very inspired by people like you! :)
Good for you for going off the beaten path! My husband is a chiropractor and it is exciting to see that people are seeing that many general practicioners are not helping them to get well. They are looking to alleviate SYMPTOMS — not go to the cause of the problem. Chiropractors remove pressure on the central nervous system which allows the nerve impluses to flow freely from the brain to every cell, tissue and organ in the body. The focus in our office is much like a naturopath — stress management, eating healthy foods, getting adequate exercise, and detoxification. I love naturopaths as they are looking to adress the individuals health by looking at the mind, body, etc. Good luck w/ everything :)
I love the idea of a doctor that actually listens. I often feel rushed and that much of what I have to say is dismissed when I visit my physician and that has led to me going less often. I believe I would greatly benefit form the opportunity to review my health from a holistic perspective.