Frequently Asked Questions

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

A Licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor (N.M.D.) attends a four–year graduate level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an M.D., but in addition studies holistic, alternative, and natural approaches to various therapies with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the Naturopathic Physician is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, physical medicine, and counseling. A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care, general practice physician.

Naturopathic Medicine is a traditional system of medicine rooted in 6 basic principles:

  • Primum non nocere – First do no harm
  • Praevenire – Prevention is the best medicine
  • Vis medicatrix naturae – The healing power of nature
  • Tolle totem – Treat the whole person
  • Tolle causum – Treat the root cause
  • Docere – Physician as teacher

A Licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctor skillfully intertwines two distinct systems of healthcare – western medicine and alternative medicine – into one total treatment approach. Naturopathic Physicians combine western medical training; i.e., thorough history, physical exam, lab work, imaging studies, writing prescriptions when necessary, and minor surgical procedures; with alternative training; i.e., clinical nutrition, acupuncture, spinal manipulation, botanical medicine, counseling, and homeopathy; for the best patient centered healthcare with an emphasis on the individual person. We also educate you about all the healthcare options available to you, empowering you, your body, mind, and spirit to achieve your individual health goals.

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What treatments do you use?

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most commonly used medical procedures in the world. It is a safe, effective, and a lasting means of treating many conditions – chronic pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, smoking cessation, and common cold/flu, among others. It is a powerful healing tool and many patients feel relief from their condition almost immediately.

Clinical Nutrition

Our nutrition is at the core of our health. The standard American diet (SAD) is almost completely devoid of nutritional value. In addition, current farming practices allow our foods to be less nutritious – not to mention all of the added hormones, pesticides, and genetic engineering. Many medical conditions can be treated very effectively with foods and nutritional supplements. A properly balanced diet can be both therapeutic and prevent future disease.

Botanical Medicine

Botanical medicine is the use of plants in many forms for medicinal purposes. A resurgence of scientific research in Europe and Asia is demonstrating that some plant substances are superior to synthetic drugs in clinical situations. They have the ability to fend off infection without promoting resistance, which is very important in a time where antibiotics are over–prescribed and germs are not responding to standard antibiotic treatments. Botanical medicine is safe, gentle and effective for many medical conditions.

Counseling and Stress Management

Mental attitudes and emotional states can be important elements in disease states as well as healing. Understanding how your emotions are influencing your physical symptoms is an important step in the healing process – as well as understanding your mental and spiritual processes in your daily life.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy was developed in the 1840’s and is a system of medicine founded on the concept of “like cures like”. Small energetic doses of medicines that are specifically selected based on each patient’s individual symptoms are given to stimulate the body’s own natural ability to heal. Homeopathy is used to treat a wide variety of conditions and is a safe and effective means of treatment.

Physical Medicine

Gentle, manual adjustment of misaligned body structures can produce profound healing effects. This method of treatment is beneficial in managing many conditions.

Prescription Drugs

There are times when regular prescription drugs are necessary – for example, when an acute infection is more than the body can handle or when a chronic condition has progressed so far a prescription is needed to get the patient’s body back to a better state of health. Naturopathic Physicians in Arizona have full prescriptive rights and Dr. Colvard will judiciously prescribe when medically necessary.

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Treatment Plans and Costs

The initial visit with Dr. Colvard is divided into two appointments – the first being an information gathering session where Dr. Colvard learns all she can about you, your health history, and your health concerns. The second visit includes a physical exam and a Treatment Plan designed especially for you.

The Treatment Plan will be tailored to you, your lifestyle, and your concerns. It could include a combination of dietary/lifestyle changes, acupuncture, botanical medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, or any other modality that is appropriate for you.

In Arizona, NMDs may not be considered a Provider on most Health Insurance Plans; however, a majority of insurance companies now consider NMDs as out–of–network providers. At the time of service, you pay for services rendered and Dr. Colvard will provide you with a bill with the proper medical codes listed. You may then submit this information to your insurance company to request reimbursement for your Naturopathic Healthcare services.

Please call the office for current pricing information.

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