Myth #1: It is very expensive
Currently, work is being done to achieve coverage by health insurance plans, although many do not know that naturopathic medicine and acupuncture services are already covered through reimbursement by most health insurance plans. The first visit to a naturopathic doctor (ND) lasts on average an hour and a half and the cost is quite reasonable compared to what other health professionals charge. The cost of supplements and natural medicines can vary, although keep in mind that they are always carefully chosen to offer the most appropriate therapy possible and thus minimize costs.
Myth #2: They are going to change my entire diet
Whether or not you are ready to change your diet is not an impediment to beginning a naturopathic medicine treatment. In my practice I present the patient with the foods they should eat and those they should avoid in order to improve their condition. Sometimes, just making small changes in the diet can achieve excellent results. Other times it is not the foods we eat that need to be changed, but the way we cook them. My job is to give real recommendations that do not involve great sacrifices that I myself would not make.
Myth #3: My doctor told me that natural treatments have no scientific evidence
Nothing could be further from the truth. By doing a search in a scientific database, your doctor will be able to find thousands of references to studies proving the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of natural treatments. In fact, in the same conventional medicine journals, research is published all the time using therapies that consist of nutrients, probiotics, medicinal plants, acupuncture, etc. Nor can conventional medicine be assumed to be totally evidence-based, an example being spinal fusion surgeries to treat lower back pain, which have been shown to be no more effective than other less invasive and less expensive therapies. If your doctor makes a general statement dismissing all natural therapies as something that does not work, then he is showing you a lack of openness and that you need to get up to date on the medical literature.
Myth #4: I can ask Dr. Google or the salesman at the health food store for free
Although Google is a tremendous tool for finding almost any type of information, it is not so great for receiving medical information. I prefer not to use Google for medical consultations because of the amount of misinformation that appears, especially regarding natural therapies. You will probably receive an information overload with multiple therapies without knowing which one is best. If you prefer to consult the seller at the “health food store” keep in mind that the primary interest of this person is to sell you a product and that he will not follow up on your health to verify the effectiveness of the treatment. In naturopathic medicine, individualized treatments are used and aspects are addressed that the patient may not have considered.
Myth #5: My condition is too serious to be managed by a naturopathic doctor
One of the main reasons a naturopathic doctor is sought is as a last resort after visiting multiple specialists, which enables us to handle all types of chronic conditions. A naturopathic doctor's education includes courses in most medical specialties such as cardiology, oncology, rheumatology, etc. The patient's health is paramount and if a referral to a specialist is necessary for pharmacological medications, the patient is advised to do so. Just because your condition has not improved with conventional medicine does not mean that you cannot find a solution with naturopathic medicine. There are a range of treatments that do not require conventional medications and/or surgery that can help you.