Short answer, no. Naturopathic Medicine is currently not accepted by most carriers, as Naturopathic Doctors are not directly contracted with any insurance companies in the state of CA. At our clinic we will provide you with the coded paperwork necessary for you to submit your claim to your insurance provider. This does not ensure any coverage/reimbursement from your insurance company. It is highly recommended that you call your insurance provider prior to your first visit to learn if they cover naturopathic care. The medical clinic requires payment at the time services are rendered. Payments can be made by cash, check or VISA|Mastercard and American Express.

As a new patient, you may be surprised by the amount of time the doctor will want to spend with you during this visit. It is your opportunity to discuss your medical and personal history as well as your main health concerns at a level of detail you may have never done before. This valuable appointment will allow the doctor to fully understand your entire health picture. Together you will gain an understanding of what has brought you to this point in your life so that you may move through your health complaint. The doctor will take the information gathered and work on developing a personalized plan for you ensuring that you get the most comprehensive and thorough naturopathic care. Additional lab work is typically needed after getting your health history. Initial appointment fee does not include the cost of lab fees.

In order to make your first office visit as streamlined as possible please review the following:

1. Be sure to complete the all electronic patient forms prior to your office visit. If you need to make other arrangements to complete electronic questionnaire, please arrive 30 minutes before your appointment to complete necessary electronic forms. This will expedite the paperwork necessary for your first visit and help avoid any in-office delays.
2. Bring in a list of all prescription medications and/or supplements that you are currently taking. If you have recent lab work/results, copies of these assessments will help the doctor get a better picture of your medical health.

Subsequent office visits can last 15 minutes to 1 hour and are usually scheduled in 4-6 week intervals. The length of each visit is based on your progress and/or health concerns. During follow up visits, your interim health history is reviewed, as well as your medications and supplements. This also gives the doctor an opportunity to assess your progress, answer questions, and recommend any fundamental or necessary changes to your treatment plan.

For an appointment call the office at (415) 732-7029. The doctor offers a one-time FREE 15 minute phone consult. No medical advice or diagnosis will be made during consultations.

The office is located at 990 Columbus Avenue between Taylor and Chestnut streets. Parking is residential 2-hour parking zone and metered parking. Typically parking is not a problem, but please allow extra time to ensure arriving for appointment on time.

Naturopathic doctors (N.D. or N.M.D) are primary care doctors clinically trained in natural therapeutics. The philosophy underlying their practice originated from classic Hippocratic teachings: Vis medicatrix naturae – “healing power of nature”. Naturopathic medicine utilizes the same biomedical science foundation of allopathic (conventional) medical practice; however, the philosophies and approaches differ considerably from their conventional counterparts. Naturopathic Medicine recognizes the significance of the whole person and supports the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Naturopathic doctors diagnose disease and treat patients by using natural modalities such as Clinical Nutrition, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, Mind-Body Healing, Traditional Chinese Medicine | Acupuncture, Physical Manipulation, and Hydrotherapy. They choose treatment plans based on the needs of the individual patient, not on the generality of symptoms.

There are six principles of Naturopathic Medicine which distinguish it from other medical approaches:

• First Do No Harm – primum non nocere | Naturopathic medicine uses therapies that are safe and effective.
• The Healing Power of Nature – vis medicatrix naturae | The human body possesses an inherent ability to restore health. The doctor’s role is to facilitate this process with the aid of natural, nontoxic therapies.
• Discover and Treat the Cause, Not Just the Effect – tolle causam | Doctors seek and treat the underlying cause of a disease. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body’s natural attempt to heal. The origin of disease is removed or treated so the patient can recover.
• Treat the Whole Person – tolle totum | The multiple factors in health and disease are considered while treating the whole person. Doctors provide flexible treatment programs to meet individual health care needs.
• The Doctor is a Teacher – docere | The doctor’s major role is to educate, empower, and motivate patients to take responsibility for their own health. Creating a healthy cooperative relationship with the patient has a strong therapeutic value.
• Prevention is the best “cure” Naturopathic doctors are preventive medicine specialists. Doctors assess patient risk factors and heredity susceptibility and intervene appropriately to reduce risk and prevent illness. Prevention of disease is best accomplished through education and a lifestyle that supports health.

It is a natural ordering of the modalities of naturopathic medicine and their application otherwise known as “A Hierarchy of Healing — The Therapeutic Order”:

1. Establish The Conditions For Health by Identifying and Removing Disturbing Factors
2. Stimulate Self-Healing Mechanisms
3. Support Weakened or Damaged Systems or Organs
4. Address Structural Integrity
5. Address Pathology Using Specific Natural Substances, Modalities or Interventions
6. Address Pathology Using Pharmacologic or Synthetic Substances
7. Suppress Pathology

Naturopathic Medical school is a post-graduate four-year program, which educates doctors in medical science along with Naturopathic Therapeutics. Currently there are 6 accredited schools of Naturopathic Medicine in North America.

Accredited Programs:

• Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ
• National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR
• Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences in Seattle, WA
• Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto, ONT
• Bridgeport University College of Naturopathic Medicine in Bridgeport, CT
• Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine, New Westminster, BC
• National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, IL*

*Granted candidacy status from the CNME in March 2009

All Naturopathic doctors graduating from nationally accredited naturopathic medical programs have fulfilled the following criteria:

• Four years of graduate medical education
• Two-year clinical internship
• Two-step licensing exams administered nationally by NABNE
  • Basic science exams in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology and microbiology
  • Clinical board exams in clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, psychology, emergency medicine, pharmacology, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, physical medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy and minor surgery

Once a Naturopathic Doctor has passed the series of medical board exams they can be licensed in one of the 15 of states and the provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. In certain instances, Naturopathic doctors do need to refer where mainstream medicine is better suited, but there are many cases where natural approaches can treat, improve and prevent many of the conditions prevalent today.

States where Naturopathic Doctors are licensed to practice:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• District of Columbia
• Hawaii
• Kansas
• Maine
• Maryland
• Minnesota
• Montana
• New Hampshire
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• United States Territories: Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands

The following states/provinces are actively pursuing licensing legislation: Massachusetts, New York, Florida, Texas, Alberta, Nova Scotia.

Usually there are no issues or complications with coalescing these types of medicines. We ask that each patient bring in a list of medications that they are taking so that we can assess any possible interactions that could potentially occur with naturopathic treatments and these medications.

The scope of practice of naturopathic doctors varies by jurisdiction and is specifically defined by the legislation in the various states and provinces that license or regulate naturopathic medicine, and practice varies significantly among states, provinces, and countries.

The goal will be to keep your superfluous purchases to a minimum; however, when deemed necessary Physician Grade supplements, vitamins, minerals, or herbs will be prescribed.

Physician Grade products are items normally sold only by a physician or other healthcare practitioner. Only Physician Grade products are available at our office. The doctor only uses products whose manufacturers ensure quality control (eg. Heavy metal, pesticide and microbiological contaminants), follow good manufacturing practices (GMP), and have Certificates of Analysis on raw materials.

California Scope Of Naturopathic Medicine:

Clinical Nutrition

Whole food nutrition is the best medicine in any naturopathic practice. Many medical conditions can be treated more effectively with food and nutritional support than they can by other methods, with fewer complications and side effects.

Environmental Medicine

Today everyone is exposed to greater quantities of chemicals in the environment, food and water supply. These chemicals can interact synergistically to elevate their negative effects. Naturopathic detoxification and immune restoration therapies are an essential aspect of any practice.

Botanical Medicine

Many plant substances are powerful medicines. By isolating specific active constituents, synthetically derived drugs may address only a single problem. Use of botanical medicines can address a variety of disorders concurrently. When properly implemented, botanical medicine can effectively be applied with minimal likelihood of side effects.

Homeopathic Medicine

Homeopathic medicine is based on the principle of “like cures like.” Empirical observation indicates that it works on a subtle, yet powerful, energetic level, supporting an individual’s constitution. Like a tuning fork for the body, the correct homeopathic remedy can heal on a physical, mental, and emotional level.

Mind/Body Medicine

Mental attitudes and emotional states may influence, or even cause, physical illness. Counseling, nutritional balancing, stress management, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and other therapies are used to help patients heal psychologically.

Physical Medicine & Minor Surgery & Traditional Chinese Medicine

Individual state licensure and scope of practice dictates methods of therapeutic manipulation, in-office minor surgeries, and acupuncture*. However, the basic philosophies, knowledge and teaching can be utilized within treatment protocols and gives the best insight of when to refer out.

*CA naturopathic scope of practice does not include these therapies. Dr. Youngren had extensive medical training in both areas and a strong understanding of how these modalities affect your health.