Natural medicine is not just for the management of short-term symptoms; the underlying premise is for the long-term promotion of health and wellness. The goal is to minimize and eventually remove hindrances or barriers to health such as exposure to toxins, vertebral subluxations, and stress. The goal is further pursued by correcting nutritional deficiencies, improving the intake of good pure water, dealing with spiritual issues if needed, promoting exercise, and getting adequate sunshine and needed rest.
To learn more see What Causes Ill-Health?
In my clinic I employ a number of effective, safe and scientifically-endorsed therapies and procedures as part of my health restoration and health maintenance treatment plan. While the list of therapies that could fall under the umbrella term of natural medicine is rather extensive, I use the following: acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal, homeopathic naturopathic medicine, and nutritional therapies. Prayer is a powerful healer and is strongly encouraged.
1. Acupuncture is a principle of healing rather than a technique. Most Americans think of needles when they think of acupuncture. While needles may be used there are other ways to promote healing based upon the “scientific” principles of acupuncture. In its simplest explanation acupuncture is the balancing of Chi or energy within the body.
Acupuncture earned “scientific” status from the National Institutes of Health in 1997.
What is acupuncture?
How does acupuncture work?
2. Chiropractic is the second largest group of primary care providers in the United States after medical doctors. Because doctors of chiropractic are licensed as primary care physicians and have received extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, they are an excellent healthcare choice. Two thirds of Americans visit a chiropractor as their first choice for the treatment of back pain. Chiropractors are trained to detect and correct malfunctioning and malpositioned vertebra of the spine that may be causing pain or other health problems. Numerous studies have documented the effectiveness of chiropractic for a number of health concerns.
Chiropractic education qualifies doctors of chiropractic as primary care physicians.
What is chiropractic?
How does chiropractic work?
Herbology is the use of botanicals or plants to promote health and healing. Herb use and application is documented in virtually every culture as well as in the Bible and throughout Ayerveda, German, Native American and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditionally these approaches arose because locally grown herbs were the only available source. Although there are differing therapeutic approaches to herbal use, no one is established as superior. Evaluation by a general physician trained in natural health such as myself is well advised.
Some of the most successful drugs used in medicine have their basis in plants.
What is herbology?
What are some of the more common uses for herbs?
4. Homeopathy is making a resurgence in America after extensive use at the turn of the last century. There were twenty-two homeopathic medical schools, one hundred homeopathic hospitals and over one thousand homeopathic pharmacies. It is believed by medical historians that the first clinical trials in medicine were done in homeopathy. It is important that homeopathy be a part of a balanced, total health restoration plan.
Homeopathy traces its beginning to Hippocrates.
What is homeopathy?
How does homeopathy work?
5. Naturopathic medicine incorporates a number of healing techniques in the care of patients. Naturopaths promote the prevention of disease through healthy lifestyle and risk factor minimization. It involves the treatment of the whole person - physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. These goals are achieved through cultivation of an attitude of personal responsibility via education in health risks and health promoters. As a licensed primary care physician Dr. Peterson’s training in naturopathic medicine expands the health possibilities for his patients.
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct health discipline focused on treating the whole person.
What is naturopathy?
How methods do naturopaths utilize?
6. Nutritional therapy is the use of phytochemicals, enzymes, vitamins and minerals in the redirection of ones health from disease prevention to health promotion. Dr. Peterson has studied extensively the teachings and writings of such greats in nutrition as Dr. Royal Lee, Dr. Weston Price, Dr. William Albrecht, Dr. Henry Harrower, and Dr. Melvin Page as well as current scientific literature in the formation of his background in nutrition. Disease is frequently the absence of something necessary more so than it is the presence of something negative. Proper nutritional therapy requires an understanding of basic human anatomy, physiology and biochemistry to be effectively applied.
Nutritional therapy requires an extensive background and understanding of health sciences.
What is nutritional therapy?
Why should I consider nutritional supplementaion?
As you can see natural medicine is a broad topic that requires an educated, scientific background to weed through the beneficial as well as the useless and potentially harmful therapies. All to often one reads a book or hears a radio or television program and wonders whether they should take this or eliminate that. It takes a thorough understanding of the basic sciences to discern when natural medicine is appropriate and when it is not; when it is indicated, and when it is vitally necessary.
This web site is intended for informational purposes and not self-treating. For full disclosure statement see disclaimer.
