By Dr. Kathleen Regan, ND A large part of naturopathic medicine is empowering patients to recognize the valuable role they play in their own health by asking the right questions and staying informed. As a naturopathic doctor, I have been asked a lot of questions around what naturopathic medicine is and what it is not. Below are the most common & important ‘myth-conceptions’. Myth # 1 – “My medical doctor doesn’t ‘believe’ in naturopathic medicine”. Many patients worry that their doctor does not ‘believe’ in naturopathic medicine. This is an important conversation to have with your doctor– if you don’t ask, you will never know. BUT – most medical doctors and naturopathic doctors will communicate and exchange information to promote the best patient care possible. In fact, more and more, medical doctors and naturopathic doctors work within the same clinics. If your medical doctor says they do not believe in naturopathic medicine than she or he probably has not read about the profession. Naturopathic doctors who are trained through the 7 accredited North American Schools practice evidence-based medicine with a primary focus on lifestyle counseling, nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture and homeopathy. Naturopathic doctors are trained to help you make the ‘health-style’ changes you need to promote wellness or complement conventional treatment. Naturopathic medicine has been found to take the burden off of the health care system and is a great addition to conventional patient care.  […]