Naturopathic Medicine
Understanding the Whole Person
At Integrative Medical Specialists, we believe understanding the many factors that influence your overall well-being is essential to supporting lasting health. Our Licensed Naturopathic Doctors, Dr. Diane Diehn, ND and Dr. Emily Guse, ND, take the time to listen, ask questions, review your health history, and evaluate how your body’s systems are functioning together.
Your evaluation may include a review of your previous medical records, Comprehensive Laboratory Assessment, Diagnostic Imaging Review, and other relevant clinical information. Based on your individual needs, your personalized care plan may incorporate Clinical Nutrition, Lifestyle Medicine, Functional Medicine, Integrative Medicine, Homeopathy, Botanical Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and other evidence-informed Natural Therapies.
Our goal is to help you better understand your health, support your body’s natural healing abilities, and partner with you on your journey toward improved health and long-term wellness.
The Principles That Guide Naturopathic Medicine
The philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine has guided the profession for more than a century. These principles continue to shape how our Licensed Naturopathic Doctors evaluate patients, develop individualized treatment plans, and support long-term health and wellness.
The Healing Power of Nature
The human body has an innate ability to heal, adapt, and maintain balance. Naturopathic Medicine supports these natural healing processes by using therapies that work in harmony with the body’s physiology whenever appropriate.
Identify and Treat the Cause
Every person’s health story is different, and many factors influence overall health and wellness. Our Licensed Naturopathic Doctors carefully evaluate those factors and develop individualized treatment plans that support your body’s natural healing abilities.
First Do No Harm
Your health and safety guide every treatment recommendation we make. Whenever appropriate, treatment begins with the least invasive therapies that offer the greatest potential benefit while carefully considering your individual health needs and overall well-being.
Doctor as Teacher
Education is an important part of every patient visit. We believe patients make the best healthcare decisions when they understand what is happening in their bodies. We take time to explain Laboratory findings, discuss treatment options, answer questions, and provide the knowledge needed to help you make informed decisions about your healthcare.
Treat the Whole Person
Health is influenced by many interconnected factors, including Physical Health, Clinical Nutrition, Lifestyle, Stress, Genetics, Environmental Exposures, Sleep, and many other influences. Naturopathic Medicine recognizes these relationships and develops individualized treatment plans that support the whole person and long-term wellness.
Prevention
Supporting health before illness develops is one of the foundations of Naturopathic Medicine. Comprehensive Health Assessments, Health Risk Analysis, and appropriate Laboratory Testing provide valuable information that helps us better understand your health, identify opportunities to support your long-term wellness, and develop personalized care recommendations.
What Is a Naturopathic Doctor?
Licensed Naturopathic Doctors complete four years of graduate-level medical education after earning their undergraduate degree. Their education combines the Biomedical Sciences with extensive clinical training in conventional medical diagnosis and evidence-informed Natural Therapeutics.
Areas of Medical Training
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Biochemistry
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Clinical Assessment
- Physical Examination
- Laboratory Diagnosis
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Gastroenterology
- Dermatology
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Psychology
- Radiology
- Venipuncture
- Minor Surgical Procedures
Naturopathic Medical Education
Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges are four-year, graduate-level medical schools with admissions requirements comparable to other professional medical programs.
In addition to the Biomedical Sciences and Clinical Medicine, students receive extensive training in Natural Therapeutics, including:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Botanical Medicine
- Homeopathy
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Acupuncture
- Lifestyle Medicine
- Physical Medicine
- Hydrotherapy
- IV Therapy
- Injection Therapy
- Minor Surgery
Graduates earn the degree of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) after completing rigorous classroom instruction, supervised clinical training, and direct patient care. Licensed Naturopathic Doctors must also successfully pass comprehensive National Board Examinations administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE), including both the Basic Science and Clinical Science Board Examinations.