What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a medical system that focuses on the body's vital ability to heal and maintain itself. Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic approach and minimal use of surgery and drugs. Naturopathy comprises many different treatment modalities including: botanical medicine, nutraceuticals, homeopathy, nutritional and lifestyle counseling.

 

 

What is the difference between a medical doctor and a naturopathic doctor?

Naturopathic doctors are graduates of naturopathic medical schools- a four year graduate program- where they become proficient in the language of medicine, adept in the understanding of pathology, knowledgeable about conventional treatments, and experts in natural treatments.

 

Naturopathic doctors believe in the body's vital ability to heal and maintain itself given science based supplementation and proper nutrition. Unlike medical doctors, naturopathic doctors do not suppress symptoms, and focus their treatments to reach the root cause of disease.

 

Naturopathic doctors are overseen by a national board and must pass a licensing examination in order to practice. Both naturopathic doctors at New Leaf Holistic Health are graduates of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR, the oldest naturopathic medical school in the United States.

 

Do I need to have a medical doctor and a naturopathic doctor?

The practitioners at New Leaf Holistic Health believe that a team approach to help patients reach optimal health is the best choice.

Can naturopathic doctors prescribe medication?

The practitioners at New Leaf Holistic Health can prescribe medications only at the Vermont satellite clinic.
 

What will my appointment be like?

A new patient naturopathic consultation with a practitioner at New Leaf Holistic Health will typically begins with a thorough interview focusing on current and past health history, diet, lifestyle, and emotional state. You will be asked to bring your supplements, a list of medications you are presently taking, and most recent diagnostic reports.

 

What laboratory testing does a naturopathic doctor use?

Please refer to the service section for a complete list of laboratory testing.
 

 

Will insurance pay for my visit?

Naturopathic and acupuncture services provided by the practitioners at New Leaf Holistic Health may be covered by your insurance plan.

 

NEW YORK CLINIC

• Dr. Tecchio is a preferred provider for National Health Administration Insurance Company/Magnacare

• Insurance plan must cover out of network acupuncture benefits if you see Dr. Tecchio.

VERMONT CLINIC

• Dr. Finley is a preferred provider for Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cigna.

• Dr. Tecchio is an out of network provider and may bill any insurance, however coverage may vary from plan to plan.

   

A superbill- a form used by medical practitioners - can be quickly completed and submitted to an insurance company or employer for reimbursement. Please download the insurance questionnaire in the patient’s center section to find out if your insurance will reimburse the cost of services

 

 

What is acupuncture?

Acupuncture is a component of traditional Chinese medicine that originated in China over 5,000 years ago. It is based on the belief that living beings have a vital energy, called "Qi", that circulates through twelve energy lines known as meridians on the body. Each meridian is associated with a different organ system. An imbalance in the flow of Qi throughout a meridian is how disease begins. Acupuncturists insert needles into specified points along meridian lines to influence and restore balance to the flow of Qi.

 

 

What is botanical medicine?

Botanical medicine is a traditional medicinal practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts to maintain health.

 

What are nutraceuticals?

Nutraceuticals is a term which combines the words “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical”. It is a product isolated or purified from foods, and generally sold in medicinal forms. Nutraceuticals have been demonstrated to have a physiological benefit to the human body, and to provide protection against chronic disease.
 

What is homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine, first proposed by German physician Samuel Hahnemann in 1796.

 

Homeopathy recognizes that all symptoms of ill health are expressions of disharmony, and that it is the patient who needs treatment, not the disease. When the healing process is faulty, blocked or slow, the homeopathic remedy acts as a stimulus to the curative power of the body.

 

Homeopathic reference books known as repertories are often consulted, and a remedy is selected based on the totality of symptoms. Homeopathic remedies cannot cause side effects and you cannot become addicted to them.