What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
As a Naturopathic Doctor (ND), Dr. Meyer is licensed by the state of Oregon as a primary care physician. NDs use both conventional and natural methods of diagnosis and treatment. To be licensed in the state of Oregon, the naturopathic doctor must have graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school and passed a lengthy series of licensing exams. Once licensure has been obtained NDs are required to do continuing education on a yearly basis. This includes many hours of approved seminars in general medical topics as well as pain management, ethics and pharmaceuticals.
Naturopathic medicine is based in the belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and will always move towards that state of balance and equilibrium. It is the role and desire of Dr. Meyer as a naturopathic physician to assist the patient in this process. There are six basic principals of naturopathic medicine that guide Dr. Meyer’s practice. These principals are founded in both medical tradition as well as scientific evidence.
1) The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Your body has the innate and instinctive ability to heal. In order for the body to do this we need to identify the obstacles that are preventing the natural return to a healthy state. Dr. Meyer works to assist you in discovering and clearing away the obstacles, which may include disease processes, diet and lifestyle issues, and hormonal imbalances.
2) Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
Symptoms are not the disease. They are indicators that the body is attempting to clear the illness and return the person to health. In order for true healing to occur, the cause of the illness must be discovered and treated. These causes may include disease processes, diet and lifestyle factors, mental, emotional and even spiritual issues.
3) First Do No Harm (Primum No Nocere)
Medicines all have effects on the body. Some of these effects are beneficial and supportive to the healing process. Others are detrimental or uncomfortable and thus considered “side effects.” As a naturopathic physician, Dr. Meyer attempts to choose medicines and treatments that support rather than override the basic wisdom of the body as it attempts to move towards healing.
4) Treat the Whole Person
Health is not just the absence of disease. It also incorporates the ability to find joy and meaning in one’s life. If the physician addresses or treats only the physical symptoms, then underlying causes for the symptoms may still exist, and the patient may not feel healthy. Dr. Meyer embraces the principal that all levels of the patient (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) must be addressed and balanced for the patient to recover to a state of optimal health.
5) The Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Dr. Meyer’s role as a physician is not only to accurately diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment for each patient, but also to support the patient in their own healing process. This includes helping the patient to understand not only the results of their tests and treatments, but also the effects of their lifestyle choices on their health. In this way the patient is empowered and motivated to improve and maintain their current state of health.
6) Prevention
The old saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” has never been more true. As medical care becomes more complex and expensive, it is becoming more important than ever to be proactive in maintaining health. As a naturopathic physician, Dr. Meyer assesses the patients risk factors for disease, including family and personal history, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures in order to intervene early to encourage wellness today and reduce the incidence of illness in later years.