Naturopathic doctors (NDs/NMDs) are primary care physicians clinically trained in natural therapeutics, whose philosophy is derived in part from a Hippocratic teaching more than 2,000 years old: Vis medicatrix naturae — nature is the healer of all.
Naturopaths experience the same four years of basic bio-medical science training as that of allopathic practice; however, in addition, they learn to treat patients using natural modalities such as physical manipulation, clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, counseling, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy, among others. They choose treatment based on the individual patient, not based on the generality of symptoms.
This approach has proven successful in treating both chronic and acute conditions.
The goal of Naturopathic Medicine is to uncover the underlying cause of your illness, to understand you as
an individual, and to develop personalized recommendations specifically designed for you. An initial visit may last an hour to an hour and a half to fully understand you and your health concerns in detail. An individualized treatment plan is developed to help you reach your health goals. Your progress is assessed through regular follow-up visits.
Naturopathic medicine is not routinely covered by insurance in Missouri at this time. Some Health Savings Accounts/Flex Spending Plans can be used to pay for services. Despite the lack of insurance coverage, many patients report that they save money over time. This is accomplished through reduced medication, less time off from work, and prevention of more costly health care problems. One popular service offered is streamlining your supplements to prevent wasted dollars on supplements that may not be beneficial for you.
Yes. In fact, because naturopathic medicine addresses the root cause of disease, children often benefit the most because a stronger foundation for positive health is established earlier in life. In addition, the therapeutics of naturopathic medicine can be the safest type of medicine because there are little to no side effects associated with treatment.
Absolutely! We can work as a team to reach your health goals, whether it is relief from a specific disease, supportive therapies that will not conflict with your current medications, or achieving optimal wellness. Naturopathic Medicine is a bridge between the conventional and alternative medical systems, understanding drug-herb interactions, and knowing how and when to refer to other practitioners in both systems to provide you with the best health care available.
Following your progress after your initial visit is an essential part of your treatment plan. As your body heals, often modifications and adjustments need to be made to your naturopathic plan. The only way to effectively do this is through regular follow-up appointments. On average follow-up visits are once a month for 30 minutes.
Absolutely. Naturopathic medicine can:
• Manage the side-effects of pregnancy (morning sickness, constipation, mood swings).
• Develop a dietary program to optimize your body for a healthy pregnancy.
• Make recommendations and provide excellent quality prenatal vitamins and other baby-beneficial supplements.
• Help you deal with other medical issues you are experiencing while pregnant with safe natural remedies that won’t be harmful to your developing baby.
• Please note: Naturopathic Medicine is NOT a substitute for your obstetrician or midwife and does not a replace regular prenatal check- ups. . Dr Krukowski does not deliver babies.
If you have never seen a naturopathic doctor before, and are a little unsure of what to expect you can request a 15-minute introductory phone consultation in order for you to learn about how naturopathic medicine can address your particular health concerns.