Are Naturopaths licensed in Florida?

Do you practice Naturopathic Medicine in your office?

What happens during a visit?

What type of conditions does naturopathic medicine address?

Does my insurance cover Naturopathic visits?

Can I get off of my medications?

Are all Naturopaths trained alike?

Are Naturopaths licensed in Florida?
I and other 4-year Naturopathic Medical School graduates are currently trying to re-establish licensure for Naturopathic Physicians in Florida. There have not been any new Naturopathic Physicians licensed in Florida since 1959 when the state legislature closed the ability to grant new licenses as there were too few schools turning out qualified Naturopathic Physicians. Today, there are five 4-year colleges of Naturopathic Medicine in the U.S. prompting the 5 remaining Licensed Naturopathic Physicians (they had their licenses before 1959) making up the Florida Naturopathic Physicians Association to seek to re-establish licensure. We are hopeful that this will happen in the 2006 legislative session. If you'd like to help re-establish licensure, please visit theFlorida Naturopathic Physicians Association website.

Do you practice Naturopathic Medicine in your office?
There are only 5 Licensed Naturopathic Physicians in Florida at this time who have had their licenses since before 1959. Florida has not licensed new Naturopathic Physicians since 1959 and it is illegal to practice or to call yourself a Naturopathic Physician in Florida unless you are licensed. I am not one of the 5 Naturopathic Physicians licensed in this state so I practice under the scope of my Acupuncture License. The scope of practice for the acupuncture license is very good in Florida. We are considered physicians so we can treat patients, order labs and diagnostic imaging, prescribe non-pharmaceutical herbal and homeopathic remedies (including injection therapy), counsel on nutrition and healthy lifestyle and perform Tui Na which is Traditional Chinese Medical bodywork. For a full description of the Acupuncture Physician scope of practice visit MyFlorida.com and search for the Acupuncture License statutes and rules.

What happens during a visit?
Before your visit you will be asked to fill out a 9 page intake form (Click here to download form). You will bring the form, any labs or diagnostic reports, supplements, medications and questions you might have to your first visit. Your first visit will usually take between 60 and 90 minutes at which time we will review your health concerns, history, recent lab results, supplements and medications. W will talk about your goals and customize a plan of action most appropriate for your needs. Follow-up visits usually last about 60 minutes and phone follow-ups are available in some cases.

What type of conditions does naturopathic medicine address?
Since the medicine we practice focuses on enhancing the body's functioning and promoting it own healing ability it can help facilitate healing whether you are seeking relief from acute illnesses such as the common cold, flu, ear infections and allergies or chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, endocrine imbalances, degenerative disease or life threatening illness.

Does my insurance cover Naturopathic visits?
Many insurance plans are now offering coverage for Acupuncture and some alternative therapies. Please call the office for more detailed information.

Can I get off of my medications?
I do not take anyone off of medication nor do I make recommendations to that effect. However, many people require less medication as their health improves. Good follow-up and coordination with a patient's primary care physician to monitor medication dosage and necessity are important.

Are all Naturopaths trained alike?
No, there is a growing population of NDs, NMDs, Naturopaths, etc. that do not have a rigorous 4 year Naturopathic medical school training but have gotten their training from a correspondence school.

For more information about Naturopathic Medicine go to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians web site.