How Naturopathic and Conventional Care Work Together

Many people believe that naturopathic and conventional (allopathic) medicine are at odds with each other, but this is a myth. Naturopathy complements conventional medicine. Naturopathic care is regularly used in conjunction with allopathic care. This is commonly referred to as “integrative health,” meaning that different types of healthcare are combined to create the best possible outcome for the patient. There are endless ways that naturopathy is used to complement conventional medicine, from cancer prevention to chronic illness management.

Cancer Prevention and Care

Naturopathic medicine, which focuses on a holistic approach to keep the entire body healthy, can have a big impact on cancer risk reduction. Your naturopathic physician may help you make lifestyle changes, such as better nutrition and increased physical activity, while your allopathic provider may provide you with a prescription to help you stop smoking or lose weight. Naturopathic interventions can build upon the treatments prescribed by an allopathic physician, and vice versa.

In the case of cancer care, allopathic treatments like chemotherapy are almost always necessary, but can be very tough on the body. Naturopathic treatments can help reduce the side effects of these treatments. Certain supplements can combat nausea, and nutritional plans can improve the patient’s ability to bounce back after treatment.

Insulin Resistance and Diabetes

When a patient receives a diagnosis of insulin resistance or diabetes, they usually work with an endocrinologist for treatment. They will likely need insulin and regular blood testing. When combined with a naturopathic approach, patients can achieve superior results to allopathic methods alone. Nutrition and exercise plans focusing on total body health can help with diabetes management, and even reverse the disease.

Surgery Recovery

Naturopathic medicine can also help treat injuries. Sometimes, natural interventions like massage or soundwave therapy (like StemWave) alone can help the body heal an injury; other times, allopathic treatments like surgery are necessary. When this is the case, naturopathy can be invaluable to the healing process. Pre-operative care prepares the body before undergoing the tissue damage associated with surgery. Commonly, Vitamin C is used to get the body ready to rebuild tissue. There are also many postoperative naturopathic treatments.  There is evidence that acupuncture, for example, can reduce postoperative pain. The use of naturopathy alongside the treatments prescribed by an allopathic physician can lead to shorter healing times than allopathic care alone.

You don’t have to choose one or the other!

All over the world, people combine allopathic and naturopathic medicine for optimal health. They complement each other, leading to better health outcomes than each alone. When a patient seeks an integrative approach, treatment is more holistic, comprehensive, and effective.

Are you interested in incorporating naturopathic care into your life? Give ProNatural Wellness a call at (860) 829-0707, or stop into our office at 1263 Berlin Turnpike Unit B, Berlin, CT.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, NIH (1, 2), UCLA, Integrative Naturopathic Medicine Centre, StemWave