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.
I can’t wait to read part 2! I actually work with MDs for a living and have been really frustrated because they never listen to me and always want to medicate my problems rather than look to what the root cause may be. I am VERY lucky because I actually found an MD an another institution who is very holistic and I love her…and she is covered by my insurance. She is also a vegan (as am I) which I think is great because my previous MDs all thought I was crazy for being vegan. I am really happy for you that you found a ND that you love!
Wow! Wish I could afford a naturopath doctor!
Hey Angela!! Your visit to the Neuropath doctor sure went well!! I wish I could visit one too!!! I’m facing similar digestion issues like you and have been for a few years now! I recently started visiting a doctor who practices Traditional Chinese Medicine in hopes of fininding a solution to my problems since my regualr family physician wasn’t helping much!! Would love to hear more about your progress and your next visit to the Neuropath doctor! :)
Glad you had such a great experience with your visit to the Naturopath. I am so fortunate because my sister is an N.D. They are so knowledgeable and wonderful! Would love to hear more about your visit!
I’m so happy for you, Angela! It’s always awesome to find someone who actually listens to you and is willing to help. I can’t wait to hear more about this journey with Naturopathy. I was recommended to your blog by a friend when she found out I was intent on entering a vegan lifestyle – your recipes and bright outlook have already inspired me so much!
xo
cortnie
I need more of this article!!! I just recently went to a naturopath here in Orlando, FL …and my guy….while nice…he was quite odd…and i was there for 4 HOURS!! uuggghhh… he didnt outline (linearly) what my issues where…and didnt correlate what suppliments tied to what issue he identifed in my body……I’d love to hear more about your exp. and more about naturopathic health in general!! So glad you took a step in that direction! and THANK YOU for writing about it!!!
I just discovered you. I’m SO glad I did!! I have been wanting to go the naturopathic route as well. Your post on it was perfect timing for me. Thank you so much for sharing!
I feel very lucky that part of my visits to an ND are covered by my workplace health insurance. I have the biggest crush ever on my ND and the utmost respect for his abilities as a healthcare provider. When conventional medicine let me down again and again over my candida issues, he is the one who took me in, treated me with patience, respect and intelligence, and helped me to get better. Worth every single penny.
I also can’t wait to read part two. The last time I went to the doctor to discuss digestive issues I ran into the same kind of problems that really left me feeling like it’s all in my head and that my visit was completely pointless. It’s why I don’t like going to the doctor but am interested to see what your doctor said.
Really glad to hear you had such a good experience with Naturopathy! I’m a big believer in the work they do and I can’t wait to read part 2! Best of luck with it all love!
I love my naturopath… and my regular MD! My MD has a degree in Eastern Medicine as well and prefers that route when the patient agrees! I am sooo lucky!
I am having very similar digestive problems to yours. A few months ago I became very ill due to stomach problems that I have yet to discover. I lost 10 pounds, on an average I weigh 90-93 pounds, and I was so weak that I could not even leave my bed. I’ve been to many doctors and recently I found an MD that I am in love with; he thinks that I may have a wheat allergy. A cat scan also revealed, then, that I had a cyst on one of my ovaries. I feel better, but it is really hard bc I get pains, am very fatigued, and a college student.
Although, I do not and have not eaten pork for 10 years, your vegan diet is really inspiring. I’ve stopped eating all red meats at 10. I sincerely enjoy your posts. Would you please give me ideas on what works for you. Most food (especially oily/fried, breads, and meats) makes me feel as though I have to vomit.
I hope your symptoms improve! That does not sound like any fun. I can relate to the pain of the cysts.
As for diet, Ive been trying to eat more vegetables/fruit and more protein than usual. It seems to be helping a lot.
For those who can’t afford to see an ND, I strongly suggest looking for a DO (Doctor of Osteopathy). They are normal docs (you may even see one and not know it) but they are trained to have a more “whole body” approach. I have a DO primary care and also had one as my surgeon last year. They really listen to you and many will be happy to explore alternative treatments with you.
Angela
I have only recently discovered your blog, and have been loving it since, so I apologize if this is old news, but wanted to let you know that you aren’t alone in your struggle to find a good doc. For more than a yr now I have been struggling to find answers to my digestive problems and have been very frustrated with conventional doctors who have repeatedly given me worthless advice, have seemed less informed than I regarding alternative diets, and have been dismissive of my symptoms. Don’t give up! I am trying several alternative practitioners (now simultaneously so I can hopefully speed up the process)–a chiropractor and a homeopathic dr–as well as a new gi doc (who I think is much better than the others). I also was weary of the costs involved and after many conversations with the insurance co realized I would have to be willing to pay the full price because it seems insurance won’t commit to any coverage until they get a bill (which I have to pay up front since so often they don’t cover homeopathic medicine). Anyway, I decided I had to try despite the costs. So I am waiting for results from some allergy testing etc and hoping that btw the 3 people I am seeing I can find a workable solution. I think I wasted too much time believing that my first gi dr knew what he was doing and want to encourage you to keep looking until you feel you are really being listened to and don’t be afraid to keep asking for better answers. Good luck and best wishes for relief. And, to totally change the subject, I love your ideas and recipes and thank you for inspiring me in the kitchen (even with extensive food restrictions)!
Thanks for your encouragement Ann :) I wish you all the best with your test results and finding a solution!
Funny you should post this just this week… I have been thinking about going to see a Naturopath for quite a while now, and being on school holidays from Kindy this week I am researching and hopefully booking an appointment! I always thought ND consultations could be valuable, but I never really thought I had anything they could help me fix… until about a year ago I gained a patch of eczma under one arm, and am getting increasing digestive and hormonal issues… now its my turn I think! Let us know how you get on!
Sounds like a nice, good doctor to me. Exited to read p2.
I’ve been thinking about becoming a naturopathic doctor, and your post inspired me to really look into it. I’m actually an under physics major, but my passion is waning and I’ve realized I spend most of my spare time researching nutrition and natural cures, so thanks for inspiring me to really look into it! I’ve talked to several naturopathic doctors in my town, and they’ve all been super friendly and are going to let me shadow them so I can see what it’s really like!
I just went to a new ND for the first time and in 15 minutes, he was pretty much able to sum up all of my health issues (that I have been trying to figure out for more than 5 years) and talk about a plan of attack. I was in love.
Would love to hear part 2 of the story!
Hi Angela!
I’ve been following your blog for about the last year when one of my vegan friends introduced me to it. I’m currently a student at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona and can’t even express how happy I was to see you taking an active interest in the profession, and especially about how positive your first experience was! I’m sure there are others out there who read your blog who will be inspired by your experience and that this will help the profession to grow!
Congratulations on making the first step towards holistic wellness and I hope the rest of your journey is successful in achieving all your health needs!
Hey Sabrina, goodluck with your studies and future career in naturopathic medicine. How exciting!