FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to the answers below, or, ask a question by sending us an E-mail: “info”-at-”healwithnature.com”

What is unique about your practice?

My practice is unique in two very important ways. First, I am trained in three different medical systems; naturopathic, conventional and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This provides me with three different perspectives from which to view every patient. Second, our office strives for an exceptionally high quality of care, which includes no waiting in waiting rooms, a large amount of "face-time" with me, the physician rather than an assistant, follow up with the patient after the office visit, and the ability for patients to call the office, from 8 AM to 8 PM and speak with myself, or my business manager any day of the week. And we make house calls!

Also, I practice what I preach, strive to educate patients and spend the time to answer their questions or concerns, and seek to be an asset to the community through involvement in the local community groups. I am here full-time in the community as a resident, business owner and physician.

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is primary health care emphasizing prevention, treatment and optimal health through the use of natural therapeutic methods and substances which encourage the person's inherent self-healing process.

The Six Principles of Naturopathic Medicine:

I. The Healing Power of Nature

Naturopathic medicine recognizes the intelligence and organized life-sustaining processes of natural systems. It is the naturopathic physician's role to support, facilitate and augment these processes by identifying and removing obstacles to help in recovery, and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.

II. Identify and Treat the Cause

Illness does not occur without cause. Underlying causes of illness and disease must be identified and removed before complete recovery can occur. Symptoms are signals from the body that an imbalance exists. The naturopathic physician seeks to treat the cause of disease rather than merely eliminate or suppress the symptoms.

III. First Do No Harm

Naturopathic physicians utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, and apply the least possible force or intervention necessary to diagnose illness and restore health.

IV. Doctor As Teacher

The original meaning of the word "Doctor" is teacher. The principal objectives of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health.

V. Treat the Whole Person

Health is the harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual. Since total health includes mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to strive to reach their full potential.

VI. Prevention

The prevention of disease and the attainment of optimal health are the primary objectives of naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medicine asserts that one cannot be healthy in an unhealthy environment and is committed to a clean world in which all creatures may thrive. Through education, naturopathic physicians promote healthful lifestyles that respect, preserve and enhance the natural environment.

What is the philosophy behind naturopathic medicine?

Today naturopathic medicine blends the best of historical natural medicine with current research. Naturopathy seeks to discover the root cause of illnesses, eliminate the cause and help the body become more vital. The philosophy that guides the naturopathic physician is that of looking at the whole person and their environment, not just the body part that hurts. Naturopathic doctors recognize that the body, like any living thing, will thrive given the proper conditions. This means balancing not only the internal system, but also the external environment, the emotional and mental state of the patient as well.

What is the difference between naturopathic medicine and conventional medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is useful for treating a broad spectrum of diseases from ear aches and the common cold to diabetes and cancer. It does not aim to replace conventional medicine, but is here to keep patients vital and healthy so that drugs and surgery can be avoided. Conventional medicine is the route of choice for acute traumas and emergency care, where as naturopathic medicine shines in the areas where conventional medicine has not had much success such as auto-immune disorders, chronic diseases, pain management, and allergies.

What naturopathic medicine is good for?

•Acute colds, Flu’s, allergies, headaches, migraines, minor depression, mood swings

•PMS, Peri-menopause changes

•Increasing vitality and energy

•Prevention of chronic and degenerative age-related diseases

•Stopping pain from sciatica, back injury, strain / sprains, CTS, CRPS

•Smoking and substance abuse cessation

•Weight loss

•Cardiovascular health, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, CHF

•Acute or Chronic viral infections EBV, CMV, HSV, HPV

•Cancer prevention

•Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia

What naturopathic medicine is NOT good for?

While natural therapies can be used with safety and effectiveness for a great variety of acute and chronic diseases, there are specific instances where conventional medicine is necessary.

•Trauma

•Major Surgeries such as reattaching limbs, valve replacements, bypass grafts, etc.

•Plastic Surgery

•Dental Surgery

•Anesthesia

•Anaphylaxis, heart attack, immediate response to stroke, coma and other life threatening circumstances

Instances where naturopathic medicine works in concert with conventional medicine:

•Pre and Post operative care and recovery

•Reduction or elimination of conditions currently medicated with prescription meds

•Enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or HIV retro-viral therapy

Do you ever work with MDs?

Yes. I frequently consult, refer to, and work in concert with conventional physicians. Some instances where Naturopathic medicine works in concert with conventional medicine include: pre and post operative care and recovery, reduction or elimination of conditions currently medicated with prescription medications, enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy, radiation therapy or HIV retro-viral therapy.

Is naturopathic medicine new to CT?

Naturopathic doctors have been licensed as physicians in Connecticut since 1920 - yet most people do not know what a Naturopath is. Their heritage comes from the old country doctors that made house calls, lived and worked in the same house, and practiced very personalized, quality healthcare. Most of these country doctors addressed underlying causes of disease using herbs and natural remedies.

How does an ND differ from an MD?

An ND is trained and licensed as a family practice doctor and is a specialist in natural medicine. An ND's education and training are similar to an MD in that both are required to have undergraduate degrees in science, and attend four year accredited medical schools. The first two years of medical school are the same for NDs and MDs in the study of basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, and pathology. In the second two years, both MDs and NDs study conventional medical diagnosis and treatment (pharmacology, radiology, gynecology, oncology, etc.), and do clinical rotations at hospitals and primary care facilities. Naturopathic medical students also study the natural healing arts of botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, lifestyle and mind/body techniques. Naturopaths then sit for national board exams to obtain a license to practice medicine in a particular state of their choice. The scope of practice for ND’s is different due to their need to use natural therapies instead of surgery and pharmaceuticals.

Mitch Kennedy, ND, P.C. | Tel: (860) 679-8899 | Fax: (860) 673-4063