Naturopathy and Chinese Medicine
Science Meets Nature for Your Optimal Health
Nourish Natural Health Clinic offers comprehensive, holistic healthcare. Dr. Shannon May is a registered naturopathic doctor and licensed acupuncturist who draws from a wide range of modalities to address your individual health and wellness needs today and tomorrow. Following is an overview of the history, philosophy, and practice of the medicine we offer.
Naturopathy
Chinese Medicine
NATUROPATHY
History
Naturopathic medicine began with the Nature Cure movement of the nineteenth century. Based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability, the earliest doctors used herbs, food, water, fasting and tissue manipulation to restore the body to health.
Approach
Today, naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care doctors that view the human body as a complex, interrelated system—and therefore focus on treating the whole person. Naturopaths integrate the wisdom of nature with modern medical science to find the root cause of disharmony in the human body, and craft individualized comprehensive treatment plans to support and stimulate the body’s inherent healing processes to restore it back to health.
Education & Training
Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care doctors for people of all ages at fully accredited naturopathic medical schools. The education includes basic sciences, conventional diagnostic and treatment methods, and natural therapeutics–including healing through natural substances such as plants, minerals, water, foods and more. Naturopathic doctors are required to gain extensive clinical training through comprehensive clinical internships and substantial precept hours with other practitioners. To read more about naturopathic education, please click here.
Principles of Naturopathic Care
The following six principles are the founding tenets that define and guide the practice of naturopathic medicine:
- First Do No Harm
- Identify and Treat the Cause
- Treat the Whole Person
- Use the Healing Power of Nature
- Doctor as Teacher
- Prevention is Cure
Learn More about Naturopathic Medicine
More information on naturopathic medicine can be found on the website of the naturopathic professional organization, the AANP (American Association of Naturopathic Physicians). Minnesota’s chapter, (MNANP), provides additional information on Naturopathic licensure and other information specific to our state.
CHINESE MEDICINE
History
Chinese medicine, practiced for 2,000 years, is one of the oldest medical traditions. The ancient Chinese developed this unique medical system through careful and diligent study of the body, mind, emotions, spirit, and the natural world around them.
Philosophy
This system is based on the idea that pathways of energy, or “qi”, run in regular patterns through the body. These channels, called meridians, flow like rivers to irrigate and nourish the body’s tissues, blood and organs. An obstruction in the movement of these energy rivers is like a dam that backs up, creating imbalances and pain. Energy can also become depleted as a result of stress, overwork, or chronic illness–and this may cause the energetic stream to dry up and eventually stop flowing.
How Chinese Medicine Works
Chinese medicine works to restore harmony and energetic balance to the body in accordance with natural principles. A treatment may include one or more of the following modalities: herbal therapy, acupuncture, moxabustion (a heat-based stimulation of energy channels), dietary therapy, exercises in breathing and movement (tai chi and qi gong), and body work.