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What Is The Difference Between Functional Medicine And Naturopathic Medicine?

3/13/2024

The short answer is, there is no difference. These are two names for the same style of medicine, that looks to get to the root cause, address the whole person, teach lasting lifestyle care, and cooperate with the body’s ability to heal itself.

Naturopathic Physicians are Functional Medicine Practitioners. We are trained from the first day of medical school to prioritize these principles and to first of all, do no harm. Our education is based on this foundation, so that we are always encouraged to see health, healing, and medicine through this lens. The approaches that we use as Naturopathic Physicians are variable and individualized, from lengthy intakes and investigative testing, to nutrition and lifestyle education, to botanical medicine, vitamins and nutrients, and homeopathy. All of these subjects were included in the core of our medical school education.

Other Functional Medicine Practitioners also work to prioritize these principles. Often, these practitioners went to conventional medical programs, and then added functional medicine training through conferences or continuing education programs. These practitioners also have a variety of approaches, depending on what elements they studied in particular. These practitioners are not Naturopathic Physicians, but they have the same goal of helping your healing process.

No matter which practitioner you choose, Functional Medicine works to restore your health by giving your body the tools it needs to heal itself, and remove obstacles to wellness. If Naturopathic care seems like the right step for you, give our office a call to learn more!

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Healing The Digestive Tract, Naturally

12/8/2015

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Digestive issues can take on many different forms and levels of severity. Whether you experience occasional distress after eating something that “didn't agree with you”, or have suffered years with Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, you know how disruptive digestive issues can be in your life. When symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, heartburn (or GERD) become more than a rare event, it is time to see a doctor who can help you heal from the inside out.

Naturopathic doctors focus heavily on digestive health, even if digestive issues are not a primary complaint. Research has shown that much of our immune system exists within our gastrointestinal tract, and that our digestive tract is also closely associated with our central nervous system, which means what we eat can affect our mood, mental focus, and cognitive health!

So whether you have already been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or whether you are simply fed up with feeling tired, anxious, and depressed, NDs always spend time making sure your digestion and absorption of nutrients are functioning optimally.

But everyone is different, so at Ray Of Light Healing, you won't get the same dietary protocol and the same list of supplements as the person before you, even if you both walked in with the same symptoms. During your visits, we will take time to investigate what foods are the best for you and what you should avoid, whether you have underlying food sensitivities or need a general detox, whether you need probiotics or digestive enzymes, and whether you need soothing herbs or healing amino acids. Sometimes this takes a little investigative work, and healing the digestive tract fully always takes time. But starting with the right foods, you will be on your way to feeling your best!

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What Is Preconception Care?

7/2/2015

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Preconception care involves preparing your body to grow a whole new person by creating an environment that is as healthy as possible for both the mother and baby-to-be. Being prepared before conceiving can help give your little one the best developmental head start (not to mention ease some of the common discomforts of pregnancy!)

Naturopathic preconception care emphasizes proper nutrition to promote appropriate nutrient intake and provide all the vitamins and minerals essential for growth. Working with fitness to maintain a healthy weight and develop exercise habits before and during pregnancy is another important component. Preconception care also focuses on removing a lifetime buildup of environmental toxins that may harm prenatal development and interfere with fertility, so detox programs are often an integral part of care, as well as learning to avoid future exposures to pesticides, heavy metals, and plastics wherever possible.

Naturopathic medicine is an excellent partner to conventional family planning and prenatal care, as well as a comprehensive complement to fertility treatments. Having a strong and healthy baby is the ultimate goal!

If you are thinking about expanding your family, whether for the first time or the fifth, give me a call and we can discuss what options may be best for you to prepare baby's first nursery!

Dr. Klara Carson ND

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A Friend In Transitions

6/8/2015

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Life and its many stages are marked by periods of transition, segments of time where we have not yet fully released the familiar, and not quite wholly embraced the new. Sometimes these transitions are natural and comfortable, and sometimes transitions are rocky and laborious. Some mark new and exciting beginnings, and some bring closure. Many transitions are both, creating a time of reluctant farewell mixed with eager initiations.

My transition into a new office location for Ray Of Light Healing has been just such a time. I am reluctant to say farewell to a space and colleagues who brought positive energy and encouragement. Yet I am also excited to reach into new communities and foster new relationships. Although moving an office is fraught with chaos and disarray, movement also comes with a breath of fresh air (and in my case, a long coveted window!)

Whether rocky or smooth, transitions do take some effort, time, and energy to adjust. Often these periods can be quite stressful, as we adapt to new habits and ways of living. What transitions are taking place in your life right now? Are you changing a job? Entering a new relationship? Leaving an old one? Beginning a family or sending children into their own adult lives? Are you transitioning to a new exercise routine or a healthier look at food? Whatever the stressors are, they can all bring positive and negative aspects to our health.

Transition, and the growth that often accompanies it, may require some extra resources from your mind and your body. Some of these basic resources, such as restful sleep, nutritious food, and energizing exercise, become even more important during these times. In some cases, specific herbs or nutrients can help bridge resource gaps and strengthen particular body systems. If you are looking for a little help with a transition of your own, come and have a conversation with me...you have a friend in transition.

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Naturopathic Medicine Week - Vis Medicatrix Naturae

10/7/2013

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It's Naturopathic Medicine Week! So what is Naturopathic Medicine all about? What sets us apart from conventional medicine?

Part of what sets Naturopathic Doctors apart is our philosophy, which includes six primary tenets.

The first philosophy is to cooperate with the Healing Power of Nature, also known as Vis Medicatrix Naturae. The natural body has an innate power for self-healing, and it is the physician's job to simply foster that power by giving the body what it needs to heal and removing obstacles to that healing.

NDs foster this power using clinical nutrition, botanical formulas, homeopathy, mind-body medicine, and detoxification (among other things) to provide the body with the tools and nutrients needed for repair, and remove toxins and lifestyle barriers to healing.

Talk to your ND about what this means for you, and stay tuned all week for more Naturopathic Philosophies!

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Vaccine Politics

9/11/2013

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While Autism is certainly a disorder with many, many contributing causal factors, one factor that has generated much dispute is the role that vaccines may play in Autism development.

Although vaccines alone are not likely to be the only culprit, education is key when it comes to choices for the health and care of our children. Check out the video and blog below that talk about some interesting points on the politics of vaccination in the U.S.

http://reviveprimarycare.com/do-vaccines-cause-autism/

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A Few Home Remedies For Back-To-School Sniffles

9/3/2013

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This is a great, quick article with a few handy home remedies for colds, congestion, fevers, and earaches from an ND out in Seattle. Take a look! (The wet socks do sound strange, but give it a try, even for little tykes, you'll be surprised at how much better they - and you - feel in the morning!)

http://blog.seattlepi.com/naturalmedicine/2013/09/02/home-remedies-so-crazy-they-just-might-work/

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What More Can I Do About My Hypothyroid?

8/7/2013

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Managing a diagnosis of low thyroid function, also called hypothyroidism, often involves much more than adjusting the dose of your hypothyroid medication. While such adjustments are extremely important, what more can you do if you still aren't feeling your best?

There are many aspects of the body involved with optimal thyroid function and metabolism. The entire endocrine system is linked through chemical messengers and feedback systems (often in the form of several different hormones), and proper function of each of these participating organs is necessary to support optimal thyroid function. In addition to the thyroid, the adrenal glands and reproductive glands are all important parts of the endocrine system, and need to be in balance and good health for your entire body to be working properly. If your thyroid has been functioning under-par, your adrenal glands may be exhausting themselves picking up the slack. If you have also been under high levels of stress, your adrenal glands may be too fatigued to support your thyroid as they should. Reproductive hormone levels are linked to mood, metabolism, and stress responses, and should be properly balanced as well.

Clean nutrition and detoxification are also extremely important aspects of optimal thyroid performance. Nutrients like iodine, iron, zinc, and selenium, are just a few of the components needed for thyroid support. And while your thyroid gland makes your primary thyroid hormone, thyroxine (also known as T4), the conversion to the most active thyroid hormone responsible for metabolism, triiodothyronine (also known as T3), occurs throughout the body in several different tissues. This conversion may be blocked by toxins circulating through these tissues, thus proper liver function to break down and eliminate the toxins we are exposed to daily is necessary for this crucial step. Addressing all these components can help both you and your thyroid be your very best!

Some forms of hypothyroidism, such as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Graves' Disease, have an autoimmune component where your own antibodies are attacking your thyroid gland. Balancing the immune system, reducing inflammation, and lowering this antibody response are all essential for preventing further damage and loss of thyroid function. Herbal formulas and even glandular supplements can play a role in this, as well as fish oil, one of the most powerful and versatile anti-inflammatory agents available naturally.

So, how do you make sure you are getting what you need? Talk to your naturopathic physician to get started on figuring out what supporting systems in your body need some help. There are foods like seaweeds, vitamins and minerals like zinc and selenium, and herbs like ashwagandha and coleus that can all help improve thyroid function and quality of life. So if you have been feeling lethargic and cold, or if you have weight gain that just won't budge, consider taking a more holistic approach to your hypothyroid diagnosis!

Written by Dr. Klara Carson ND

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Recovering After The Flu

2/1/2013

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Getting back on track with your life and your health after you've been interrupted by a cold or a flu can take longer than many of us would like. Usually too soon after our symptoms become just bearable again we are back at work and trying to catch up on what we missed while we were out. And sometimes it seems that those residual, pesky symptoms just won't ever quite go away...

There are some important things you can do to help your body recover from the flu more quickly and completely and help enhance your health to keep you from getting sick again this winter.

Keep taking those vitamins and immune boosting herbs. You may have loaded up on the vitamin C and zinc and maybe even some herbal remedies during the first couple of days you were coming down with something, and that's great. Don't quit. Even as your symptoms such as chills and fatigue and nasal congestion subside, your body has used up some of your vitamin stores to fight off your viral invaders. Now is the time to replenish those stores of vitamins and antioxidants so your body isn't lacking for its normal functions. So keep taking a little extra vitamin C and zinc, keep your vitamin D levels high, and keep using those immune boosting herbs like garlic, oregano, thyme, and astragalus, just to name a few.

Keep getting enough sleep and rest, and take a little more time to relax and let your body recover. If it is at all possible, take an extra day off or take a full weekend day to continue to rest your body after the flu or a cold. You may be feeling better, but your cells have some clean-up work left to do to get rid of the remnants of your immune-system battle. Don't sacrifice your sleep to catch up on your life, you'll have more energy to tackle those tasks if you stay rested and keep your stress levels in check.

Keep your sugar intake low, and keep those colorful fruits and vegetables and that chicken soup going strong. Sugar puts its own stress on the body and immune system, and often feeds organisms within our bodies, such as yeast, that can allow them to grow to unhealthy population levels. Colorful fruits and vegetables are the best natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in the forms, combinations, and ratios that our bodies can most easily absorb. And the health benefits of that chicken soup have actually been researched, although it is best if you can make your own from organic, whole food ingredients and stay away from the sodium and preservative-laden processed soups. Homemade chicken soup is also a great way to add in some of those immune-boosting herbs mentioned above.

Get back into your exercise routine as soon as possible, but take it slow. Exercise, even in short bursts, can raise your white blood cell counts in your bloodstream. These white blood cells are important players in immunity, fighting off pathogens and cleaning up after them. Exercise also improves blood flow, thus clearing your system of the waste products and bringing fresh nutrients to your cells as they repair. But take it easy, don't jump right back into the intensity of your previous workouts, make them a little less intense and a little shorter, or if you are new to a routine, start with walking and stretching to give that blood flow a boost.

Get some fresh air. You've been cooped up with your germs for a few days, so get outside, even if just for a few minutes. If it is cold, make sure you bundle up and stay warm. But try to get to a place of natural beauty, a wood or a park, to restore and refresh your senses and your spirit. It is just as important to rejuvenate your mind and soul as it is to repair your physical strength.

And if those pesky symptoms linger, if that cough is still keeping you up at night or you've had that sinus congestion for weeks now, see your naturopathic physician. You may need a little more specific and personalized care to get back to your healthy self, so see someone who will take a look at the underlying causes of why you haven't bounced back yet, and who works to treat the whole of you so that more than your immune system gets back into balance!

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Finding The Perfect Gift

12/7/2012

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Talking about prioritizing to reduce your holiday stress is all well and good, but how about some help with that ever-expanding shopping list? If the busy jumble of the mall crowds is one of the things you look forward to during the holidays, then by all means enjoy yourself! But if the mere thought of getting into your car and driving to the mall leaves you exhausted, fear not! With just a little creativity and a few moments of reflection, you can find that “perfect” gift!

There are two important things that nearly everyone could use more of (even those people who seem to have everything): time and health. It may be tough to wrap time itself in a box with a big red bow, but there are plenty of ways to give your loved ones what we all need most. Take a few minutes to think about what you love about each of your friends and family. What activities do you enjoy most together? What do you wish you had more time for? Can you turn that wish into a gift of time? How about a game of golf with your uncle, or an afternoon fishing with your niece and nephew? Can you offer to babysit so your friends can have an evening out? Or even offer to drive your sister's kids to their after-school activities one afternoon so she can have a few hours of quiet. Invite that cousin you are too busy to see for a few hours of tea and cookies and a laugh over an old picture album!

Sometimes even these great ideas get left behind after the bustle of the holiday, so look ahead into your schedule and put two or three actual dates and times that work for you on your gift invitation. This way you have made an appointment you are more likely to keep, rather than putting another wish on your “someday” list. Not only do these gifts provide an opportunity for time with your favorite people (or the people you would like to know better) but they save you time...time shopping, time wrapping, and time returning gifts you really didn't want. (And, if you really want your loved ones to be opening something Christmas morning, go ahead and wrap your invitation in a nice big box, it's always good for a laugh!)

Giving the gift of health can also take many forms, and provides an opportunity for your busy brother to take time out for some self care. Give a gift certificate to your favorite massage therapist or spa for some relaxation and stress relief. Pay ahead for an appointment with a chiropractor or an acupuncturist for a full workup, or pay for a visit to your favorite naturopathic physician for holistic attention or a wellness visit and an opportunity to start the New Year off healthy! At Ray of Light Healing and Campanella Chiropractic and Wellness we have all of the above for one-stop shopping (and we promise we are not the mall!) And don't forget to schedule a massage for yourself to unwind after all your holiday celebrations!

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Ray of Light Blogging

What Is The Difference Between Functional Medicine And Naturopathic Medicine?

Healing The Digestive Tract, Naturally

What Is Preconception Care?

A Friend In Transitions

Naturopathic Medicine Week - Vis Medicatrix Naturae

Vaccine Politics

A Few Home Remedies For Back-To-School Sniffles

What More Can I Do About My Hypothyroid?

Recovering After The Flu

Finding The Perfect Gift

Dr. Klara Carson

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