When I was outlining my steps for healing from fibromyalgia, I struggled as to where on the list this step should fall. In some ways, finding the right doctor for treatment should be number one, rather than number three. Finding the right doctor for treatment is crucial in healing from fibromyalgia. But, it often takes many months and many failed doctors until a patient finds the right one to work with. I chose to list 'Finding the Right Doctor' as step three, rather than step one, because in order to find that ONE doctor to continue treatments, one must first get a diagnosis. Getting a diagnosis is sort of a catch twenty two. In order to get a diagnosis, one must go through many, many doctors in order to rule out other similar diseases and syndromes. But once a patient is given a diagnosis, then the patient can take control of what type of doctor he/she is going to work with.
Currently, fibromyalgia is a diagnosis that has no specific treatment plan in western medicine, other than prescribing an effective pain medication. Therefore, once a patient has received the diagnosis and found an effective pain medication, the traditional western medicinal system is no longer of service to the patient. So, what's next? After one realizes that most M.D. have no real treatment plan to heal fibromyalgia, it is time to start looking elsewhere. Luckily, M.D. are not the only type of physicians around.
A new movement in medicine is gaining momentum in the Western world. With the rise of autoimmune diseases, chronic illnesses, and cancers - patients and physicians are beginning to realize the limitations of the Western Medicinal system. An integrative approach, combining the effective aspects of western medicine, along with aspects of 'Eastern' medicine - is offering patients a wider range of options for treating 'incurable' conditions.
Physicians such as Naturopathic Doctors, Holistic Medicine, Environmental Medicine, Osteopathic Doctors, and Functional or Integrative Medicine Practitioners are gaining wide appeal and aclaim for their devotion to their patients and their holistic approach to healing. But, what is the difference between each type of doctor, and which doctor is the best for you?
Let's review.
Holistic Medicine
Holistic Medicine is a umbrella term that encompasses doctors/physicians who treat patients with a mind, body, spirit approach. Holistic Medicine practitioners view each patient as a unique individual and treat the person as a whole. They take into account factors such as diet/nutrition, mental/emotional health, spiritual health, and lifestyle. According to the American Holistic Medicine Association, "disease is understood to be the result of physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental imbalance. Healing, therefore, takes place naturally when these aspects of life are brought into proper balance. The role of the practitioner is as guide, mentor and role model; the patient must do the work - changing lifestyle, beliefs and old habits in order to facilitate healing. All appropriate methods may be used, from medication to meditation."*
Resources for Specific Illnesses, Holistic Resources, and list of Holistic Practitioners by state/region can be found online at the American Holistic Medical Association website.
Environmental Medicine
Similar to Holistic Medicine, Environmental Medicine approaches health through an integrative approach. However, unlike Holistic Medicine, Environmental Medicine aims to take healing one step further. Environmental Medicine focuses on how aspects of the modern living environment affects the overall health of human beings.
The Mission Statement of the American Academy of Environmental Medicine is "to promote optimal health through prevention, and safe and effective treatment of the causes of illness by supporting physicians and other professionals in serving the public through education about the interaction between humans and their environment."*
As with the American Holistic Medical Association, the American Academy of Environmental Medicine has a Physical Referral portal on their website in which you can search for an Environmental Medicine practitioner in your area.
Naturopathic Doctors
The purpose of a Naturopathic Doctor can be deduced through the name itself, naturopathic = nature. Naturopathic Doctors practice medicine through the integration of traditional healing methods found in nature. Partnered with rigorous medical training, a licensed naturopathic doctor may be the best route to optimal health. Naturopathic Doctors emphasize the power of the body to heal itself through the use of supplements, dietary, and lifestyle changes. According the the American Assoc. of Naturopathic Physicians, "Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent self-healing process. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods."*
Naturopathic doctors also have a very patient oriented practice. The first appointment usually lasts between 1-2 hours, during which the doctor and patient speak in depth to cover medical and personal history.Subsequent appointments last between 60 - 90 minutes in which the naturopathic doctor and patient discuss continued areas of treatment which may include the incorporation of supplements, lifestyle, and dietary changes.
Licensed naturopathic doctors complete years of rigorous training, similar to that of an M.D, but with an approach similar to that of a holistic health practicioner. The AANP website states that, "A licensed naturopathic physician (ND) attends a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician also studies clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling. A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician."*
Licensing procedures vary from state-to-state. "Currently, 17 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands have licensing or regulation laws for naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from an accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license." * In my state of Ohio, there is currently no licensing procedure for naturopathic doctors. Meaning, that any person on the street can claim they are a naturopathic doctor without receiving and training. Therefore, if you live in a state which also has no licensing procedures for naturopathic doctors it is important to research where your doctor has received his/her training. For example, my naturopathic doctor received her four year degree from a State University in Ohio, then continued her training in Arizona - where there are rigid licensing procedures to become a naturopathic doctor. Lists of accredited naturopathic doctor programs can be found on the AANP website.
Osteopathic Doctors
As we near the end of our list, Osteopathic Doctors vary significantly from the previous entries. Unlike Naturopathic, Environmental, and Holistic doctors - Osteopathic Doctors do not necessarily fall under the umbrella term of holistic healthcare. However, like Naturopaths, Osteopathic doctors must complete extensive medical training. "To become a DO, an individual must graduate from one of the nation's osteopathic medical schools, accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation" *
As with Naturopaths, Osteopathic Doctors specialize in a specific area, which can be deduced through the name itself. Osteopaths focus on the muscular skeletal system, "so that they better understand how that system influences the condition of all other body systems. In addition, DOs are trained to identify and correct structural problems, which can assist your body's natural tendency toward health and self-healing." *
Due to the fact that fibromyalgia affects the muscular skeletal system, seeing an osteopathic doctor may be incredibly beneficial. OD's are capable of prescribing medication as well as practicing some surgery; however, they do not specialize in areas of nutrition, supplements, environmental, or lifestyle factors.
More information about Osteopathic Doctors can be found at their website.
Functional / Integrative Medicine
Ahhh, at long last we have reached the end of our list! Upon which we stumble the practice of integrative and functional medicine. Integrative and Functional medicine are essentially two terms meaning the same thing, an approach to medicine which integrates holistic and western approaches to treatment and functions to view the treatment of the individual as a whole. " Functional Medicine practitioners spend time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that can influence long-term health and complex, chronic disease." *
Functional / Integrative medicine differs from the treatment received from an MD in the sense that an MD may treat symptoms, while a functional/integrative medicine practitioner searches to treat the root causes of the symptoms in order to provide overall healing.
More information about functional/integrative medicine can be found online at the following links.
Whew! That was a long list! But I hope that this list provides you with more information to move you forward in your path towards overall health!
Until Next Time,
Feast From Within
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