What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a holistic practice of medicine that blends traditional healing therapies with modern scientific advances and emphasizes health and wellness at the physical, mental, and spiritual level. It focuses on disease prevention and figuring out the root cause of an illness, rather than just treating the symptoms. Naturopathic medicine encompasses a holistic, individualized approach to care, whether the patient is young or old, or if they have an acute or chronic illness, using the least invasive therapies possible. The following are the 7 guiding principles of natural medicine which is the philosophical compass that directs Dr. Funk’s approach to care:
The Healing Power of Nature
Identify and Treat the Cause
First Do No Harm
Doctor as Teacher
Treat the Whole Person
Wellness Promotion
Naturopathic Doctor Training
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) graduate from an accredited 4-year naturopathic medical school as experts in the field of natural medicine. In specific licensed states like Washington, NDs are considered primary care doctors. Though both naturopathic doctors and medical doctors both care about their patients health and well-being, there are instrumental differences between NDs and MDs. A licensed Naturopathic doctor has completed four years of medical training in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but is additionally trained in preventive, natural approaches to care like clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical (herbal) medicine, physical medicine, counseling, hydrotherapy, environmental medicine and more. Dr. Funk is currently licensed in the state of Washington and practices family medicine at Bellingham Natural Family Medicine.
