About Naturopathic Medicine and Dr. Flanagan
Prevention is a major strength of Naturopathic Medicine. This medicine is intended to optimize health. It is rare in our culture to see a physician when nothing in particular is wrong, but the potential to decrease the risk of chronic disease and optimize daily wellness is strong in Naturopathic Medicine.
Naturopaths are trained to treat acute and chronic illness with the goal of achieving health and then going beyond that. Optimizing your health decreases the risk of chronic disease by supporting a healthy lifestyle. This can include nutrition, exercise, structural work, spiritual work and emotional health aspects. It can be a long, and at times difficult path, but the results are worth the effort.
Many specialties in medicine lose the big picture of your health and recommend treatments that address a particular symptom but may cause unwanted side-effects. Naturopathic Medicine focuses on treating the whole person.
Tenets of Naturopathic Medicine
- First Do No Harm
- Treat the Whole Person
- Doctor as Teacher
- Prevention
- Identify and Treat the Cause
- The Healing Power of Nature
Dr. Flanagan trained at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. She focused on family practice and has especially spent time in practice with women and children, learning to care for their specific needs.