What Is Naturopathic
Medicine?
Naturopathic
medicine is a philosophy of medicine that focuses on supporting
and restoring the body’s innate healing mechanisms. Naturopathy
considers the whole person when treating specific conditions.
The aim is to diagnose and treat the root of the problem and
bring the body into balance for sustainable wellness. Naturopathic
medicine emphasizes treating disease by supporting and enhancing
the inherent healing power of the body. Naturopathic doctors
employ many different modalities including botanical medicine,
homeopathy, clinical nutrition, lifestyle counseling, nutritional
supplementation, and intravenous nutrition.
Naturopathic doctors are guided by Six Principles to
aid them in their clinical practices and in their own lives.
-
First do no harm: utilize the most natural, least invasive,
and least toxic therapies.
- The
healing power of nature: trust in the body’s inherent
wisdom to heal itself.
- Treat
the whole person: Consider the body as an integrated system.
- Identify
and treat the root cause: Look beyond the symptoms to identify
the underlying cause.
- Doctor
as teacher: Educate patients in the steps necessary to achieve
and maintain their health.
- Prevention
is the best cure: Focus on overall health, wellness, and disease
prevention.
What
to expect when meeting with Dr. Hansen:
Initial
visits are 60 minutes long. In this visit I will take a thorough
history and perform physical exams. My questions will be aimed
at understanding your current condition but also understanding
you as a whole person. Together we will identify where to focus
your treatment plan.
Follow
up visits are 30 minutes. These visits offer us time to assess
and augment your treatment plan and determine next steps. Your
treatment plan will evolve as we build a relationship and continue
to work together.
Limited
acute visits are 30 minutes and can often be made the same day.
What you will need to bring to your appointment:
New
patients are asked to complete the new patient intake forms
prior to their visit. Other important documents you should bring
with you include recent lab work or medical records and a list
of medications and supplements you are currently taking.
More about what to expect at your Naturopathic
Doctor's visit.
About Dr. Michelle Hansen
I
am a licensed naturopathic doctor who provides a full spectrum
of care for a wide range of health concerns. I help my patients
develop sustainable health and wellness in their lives. I am
trained as a primary care doctor who can diagnose disease, order
lab work, and prescribe both conventional and naturopathic medications.
I
work closely with each patient to determine the root cause of
their health concerns and to develop an individualized treatment
plan to support their immune system and create optimal function
in the body to help them overcome disease. I believe strongly
that the body’s innate healing mechanisms should be reinforced
and not suppressed. I employ many different modalities including
botanical medicine, homeopathy, clinical nutrition, lifestyle
counseling, nutritional supplementation, intravenous nutrition,
neurofeedback, and conventional medications when indicated.
I
attended college at the University of California, Santa Cruz,
where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2004. I moved
to Portland, Oregon in 2007 where I attended Portland Community
College and Portland State University as I worked toward completing
my premedical requirements. In 2009, I entered into a program
at the National College of Natural Medicine, where I earned
a Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine in 2013. After completing
my schooling, I was ready to return home to Santa Barbara to
start my medical practice. I am committed to and passionate
about naturopathic medicine and I feel grateful to have such
an amazing community to work within.
About
NCNM
The
National College
of Natural Medicine is the oldest naturopathic
college in the United States. It was established in 1956. It
is also one of the most well-known naturopathic institutions
worldwide. NCNM’s Doctor of Natural Medicine is an accredited
4-year intensive doctoral program that trains holistic primary
care physicians. Naturopathic training includes two years of
in-depth science including subjects like anatomy, physiology,
biochemistry, diagnosis, and pathology. The last two years involve
learning western study of disease, diagnosis, and treatment,
with an emphasis on natural therapeutics. To graduate, students
are required to complete 3500 hours of classroom instruction,
1500 hours of supervised clinical training, and an additional
250 hours of outside observational training in medical clinics
or hospital settings. Upon graduation and completion of rigorous
national board exams, ND’s are awarded a license as Doctors
of Naturopathic Medicine and are qualified to work as primary
care physicians.
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