Five Things we WILL NOT DO as Naturopathic Medical Doctors

There are lots of things you can count on when you go to a medical doctor. They might check your vital signs, ask about your symptoms, possibly run diagnostic tests, and then prescribe a pharmaceutical or therapeutic protocol in an attempt to manage your symptoms. But is that enough for you?

As Naturopathic Medical Doctors, WE DO NOT stop there.

Maybe you’ve been looking for answers that basic medical doctors have not provided.

Creating a healthcare plan is not just about your symptoms. It’s about how you are feeling today, what has happened in the past and how you wish to move forward.

WE DO NOT merely offer a minimum standard of care. We go further than managing your symptoms, we get to the root of them.

Here’s what you can count on us NOT to do as part of your individualized health plan:

5) WE WILL NOT tell you your thyroid is functioning properly by running a TSH only.

You might have been told that your TSH levels were within the normal range, yet you still feel off.

At Neighborhood Naturopathic we not only do the regular diagnostic tests medical doctors perform, such as testing your TSH. We employ more comprehensive functional tests to better understand how your symptoms fit into the big picture of your health. Functional testing for the thyroid includes a full thyroid panel: TSH, T4, T3, Reverse T3 and Thyroid Antibodies. Looking at a full thyroid blood panel tells us about hormone production, potential nutritional deficiencies, auto-immune disorders, and so much more. Running a singular TSH simply cannot provide that level of comprehensive information, and may potentially lead to a missed or overlooked diagnosis.

Learn more about other functional testing we provide at Neighborhood Naturopathic.

4) WE WILL NOT tell you that experiencing achy joints and achy muscles is “just your age” and that there is nothing you can do about it.

We understand that as you age, the quality of attention and health care you receive from other medical providers might change.

Many providers may tell you that experiencing achy joints and muscles is simply a part of getting older. However, we know that just because you are getting older, it does not mean that achy joints and muscles come with it. We have patients that are in their 50’s and 60’s that feel better and stronger than they did in their 20’s. Experiencing achy joints and muscles is NOT “just your age”. There is a root cause.

One of the benefits of naturopathic care is we take time to learn about your individual situation, and carefully consider WHY you are having symptoms. Many patients come to Neighborhood Naturopathic to understand why they are feeling ill after failing to get a helpful diagnosis with other providers. Others know why they are having symptoms, but are unable to find a reasonable treatment, or the needed treatments have side effects that must be mitigated. Some simply want comprehensive and proactive heath care so they can continue to be healthy, and enjoy an increasing quality of life.

Read about our diagnostic approach.

3) WE WILL NOT recommend you take hormonal birth control to correct your irregular, painful, or heavy periods.

While hormonal birth control may change your symptoms, it will also mask the root cause of why you are experiencing irregular periods and/ or hormonal imbalance, creating MORE symptoms. We deal with women’s health issues on a regular basis and can provide insight into the complicated issues women face. We know that women’s health issues may involve mind, body, environmental, and external factors, to name a few.

We perform common pertinent physical exams, and may do diagnostic procedures such as body composition monitoring or well woman exams (for women who work with Dr. Margaret Litchy-Miller). Appropriate additional testing may be recommended to help understand WHY there are symptoms, or how to best support hormonal health.

There are a myriad of issues that women might face including: menstrual problems, PMS, infertility, menopausal problems, PCOS, Uterine Fibroids, family planning, Osteoporosis and Osteopenia. We realize that women’s issues don’t fit into a one size fits all solution.

Read about conditions that can be treated with Naturopathic Medicine.

2) WE WILL NOT dismiss your brain fog or memory issues by telling you “It’s fine”, it’s just a part of getting older, and that there is nothing you can do about it.

There IS something you can do about it! In fact, there are many options when it comes to alleviating brain fog and memory issues. Today’s demanding and fast-paced lifestyles can often lead to these symptoms. However, so can nutrient deficiency, chronic and acute viral infections, and hormonal imbalance. Conditions that are often overlooked by many health care providers.

As we see an increase in chronic viral infections that last over long periods of time, naturopathic medical doctors are poised to provide more comprehensive and complementary strategies to address symptoms that keep you from performing at an optimal level.

Neighborhood Naturopathic offers diagnostic modalities, clinical nutrition, and lifestyle counseling among other services that are helpful in repairing your mind and body.

1) WE WILL NOT tell you that your symptoms are “in your head”.

To the contrary, we will encourage you to listen to your body and trust your gut, so to speak. WE thoroughly believe that the symptoms you experience are real, even if there is no concrete diagnostic data to support them. If you are experiencing the symptoms, they are real. WE feel it is our job at Neighborhood Naturopathic to determine the root cause of your symptoms, so you can achieve optimal wellness, and live the life you want.

At Neighborhood Naturopathic we strive to utilize personalized healthcare with every patient. We offer cutting edge testing and interpretation, and individualize our recommendations and treatments to provide effective, efficient, and personalized healthcare in line with the principles of naturopathic medicine. Learn more about personalized medicine at Neighborhood Naturopathic.

If you find that your medical doctor has dismissed your questions and concerns, it’s time to utilize the services of a Naturopathic Medical Doctor at Neighborhood Naturopathic. WE WILL NOT allow you to feel dismissed, unheard, or mismanaged. In fact, we offer a complementary new patient consultation for you to ask questions and learn whether Naturopathic Medicine is right for you!

If you live in the Minneapolis/ St. Paul area and are curious about a naturopathic approach to your health or have questions about supplements, or IV Nutrient Therapy that might support your overall wellness, click here to schedule or call (612) 259-8529.

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