Mailbag! How to Find a Natural Medicine Practitioner
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted July 30, 2024
“When I go to my doctor, he just talks about prescription drugs and mainstream treatments. How do you find a doctor that’s open-minded and doesn’t just want to subscribe to everything Big Pharma says?
What type of doctor do I need to look for and where do I look?”
—Jeff
Hi Jeff,
This is precisely why I went into alternative health.
In my early 20s, I was very sick, and mainstream medicine had nothing to offer me. I began to second guess if they had all the answers after all.
Then, through a series of happy accidents, I ended up going to a school for natural medicine.
So, let’s get YOU some help!
First, you can ask everybody you know if they have a holistic or integrative medicine practitioner they like. Check with your family, friends, and even acquaintances who seem healthy.
You might be surprised by those in your circle who quietly use natural medicine—it’s not just for “granola” types anymore.
Once you start asking around, you’ll hear various titles, such as “osteopath” or “naturopath.”
You see, there are several different types of natural medicine practitioners, so it’s important to know the difference between them.
Here are the most common…
- Osteopathic Doctors (or DO): These doctors attend medical schools that emphasize health and adjustments (like chiropractors) but are also licensed and accept insurance, like mainstream doctors. My experience with DOs is that some are open to natural healing, and others are no different from your average mainstream medical doctor. You can find an osteopathic doctor through the American Osteopathic Association.
- Functional Medicine Doctors: Many natural practitioners and medical doctors practice Functional Medicine. This is a science-based natural medicine that uses both alternative and standard testing to get to the root cause of the disease. You can find practitioners who practice functional medicine at The Institute for Functional Medicine.
- Naturopathic Doctor (ND): This is the type of doctor I am. NDs attend a very similar standard medical school, only focused on natural healing (though some states allow us to prescribe drugs, do minor surgery, and perform some procedures). NDs are not licensed in every state, but we practice in most. You can find an ND near you at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.
- Chiropractors: These practitioners are licensed in every state and are an excellent resource for natural medicine. Some work almost exclusively on musculoskeletal complaints, while others have a wider practice that focuses on many health issues. Chiropractors are easy to find in almost any area, but you can also check here at the American Chiropractic Association.
- Acupuncturists: Similar to chiropractors, individual acupuncturists can focus on specific complaints or be more holistic. Many are also trained in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and can recommend herbs and supplements. They’re easy to find in your local area or here at the National Certification for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.
To find out if a natural medicine practitioner is a good fit for you, request a 10-minute consultation and arrive with some questions about how they practice and what approaches they use for a case like yours. If you get good vibes, give them a try.
Soon, you’ll be on your way to taking back your health… and finding REAL answers to your complaints.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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