Why You Should Choose a Natural Medicine Doctor
What Natural Medicine Doctors Do
For decades, healthcare primarily focused only on the specific disease – and did not take into account the individual patient as a person. Additionally, conventional medicine failed many patients by only addressing the symptoms of a medical condition, rather than trying to identify and address the underlying cause of the problem.
Today, many patients are seeking alternative approaches to medicine that are centered on holistic well-being, natural remedies, and preventing disease by helping the body to remain in balance. This has led to the rise in popularity of what many people call “natural medicine doctors”. But “natural medicine” can mean different things to different patients!
In this article, Dr. Hakim explores the differences and similarities between integrative medicine, functional medicine, naturopathic / natural medicine, and holistic medicine. She also delves into what natural medicine doctors do and why they do it – in addition to exploring the advantages of seeing a natural medicine doctor for your healthcare needs.
Understanding the Terminology: Integrative, Functional, Natural & Holistic Medicine
While each has a different “emphasis” a doctor can practice integrative, functional, natural, and holistic medicine simultaneously.
Functional medicine has the primary aim of identifying and addressing the root causes of illness by understanding the interconnectedness of the body’s systems. Functional medicine doctors also employ a patient-centered approach, investigating factors such as genetics, lifestyle, environment, hormone balance, and nutrition to create individualized treatment plans.
Although their approach is broader than conventional doctors, functional medicine practitioners also typically rely on science-based, clinically proven, medical diagnosis and treatment modalities.
Integrative medicine emphasizes treating the whole person, focusing on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of health. Integrative medicine doctors typically combine conventional Western medicine with complementary and alternative therapies to provide a comprehensive approach to healthcare.
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct branch of healthcare that focuses on natural therapies, prevention, and empowering patients to take an active role in their health. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) undergo specialized training in natural medicine modalities, including botanical medicine, nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, and lifestyle counseling.
A naturopath may combine both traditional science-based medical tests and treatments with natural remedies, such as plant-derived supplements.
Holistic medicine refers to an approach that considers the whole person, recognizing that physical health is interconnected with emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. It emphasizes the integration of various modalities to promote balance and healing, taking into account lifestyle, nutrition, stress management, and other factors.
As you can see, there is the potential for a great deal of overlap with these approaches. Often times patients refer to physicians who offer one or more of these approaches as a “natural medicine doctor.” Dr. Nishath Hakim, MD in Royal Oak is a fully licensed medical doctor (MD) who combines a functional and integrative approach with natural and holistic remedies and treatments – to treat the whole person, addressing the underlying causes of disease and balancing the body to prevent illness and promote wellness and vitality.
What Natural Medicine Doctor Do
Natural medicine doctors are typically healthcare professionals who combine modern scientific methods, with traditional healing wisdom, natural remedies, and lifestyle adjustments when possible. They focus on treating the underlying causes of illness and supporting the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Here are some key aspects of what “natural medicine doctors” offer.
Personalized Treatment Plans: Natural medicine doctors take the time to listen to patients, understand their unique health concerns, and develop individualized treatment plans tailored to their specific needs.
For example, rather than prescribing a one-size-fits all hormone pill for menopause, a natural medicine doctor may offer custom compounded hormone therapy that is based on the individual patient’s unique blood test results.
Emphasis on Prevention: Natural medicine doctors place great importance on preventive care and empowering patients to make healthy lifestyle choices. They provide guidance on nutrition, exercise, stress management, lifestyle, and other factors that contribute to overall well-being.
At Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, Dr. Nishath Hakim offers patients weight loss assistance, stress management support, and even gut and stool testing to help create an ideal diet that eliminates nutritional deficiencies.
Natural Therapies: Natural medicine doctors also utilize a range of alternative therapies (in addition to traditional treatments), such as herbal medicine, plant-based supplements, nutrition counseling, homeopathy, acupuncture, physical medicine, and lifestyle modifications – to support the body’s innate ability to heal and restore balance.
It is important to understand that Dr. Nishath Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak is an MD (medical doctor) who offers an integrative approach that combines natural therapies with conventional medicines (such as prescription medications) when necessary. The goal is to naturally restore balance to the body and rely on biological remedies when possible – while offering the latest developments in science-based conventional medicine when required.
Collaborative Approach: Natural medicine doctors work in collaboration with each patient – and other healthcare professionals when necessary – to provide comprehensive and integrative care.
Dr. Nishath Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak empowers each patient to take control of their own health and wellness. And she will refer patients to other specialists when necessary, ensuring that all aspects of each patient’s health is addressed.
Advantages of Seeing a Natural Medicine Doctor
Whole-Person Care: Natural medicine doctors like Dr. Nishath Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak focus on treating the whole person, addressing the underlying causes of illness rather than just managing symptoms. This comprehensive approach is much more effective at promoting long-term health and well-being -rather than just addresses symptoms as they appear.
Personalized Approach: Natural medicine doctors also recognize that each person is unique and requires individualized care. They take into account a patient’s specific health goals, concerns, lifestyle, and personal preferences to create personalized treatment plans.
Dr. Nishath Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak doesn’t just see the “body part” but sees the patient as a whole person.
Safer Therapies: Natural medicine doctors utilize natural therapies that are generally much safer than harsh or synthetic medications or invasive surgery. Natural remedies have minimal or no side effects when administered by a trained natural medicine practitioner like Dr. Nishath Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak.
These natural therapies often complement conventional medical treatments and can be used alongside them.
Disease Prevention: Natural medicine doctors place emphasis on prevention and proactive health management. By addressing potential imbalances and risk factors early on, they aim to optimize health and reduce the likelihood of future illnesses.
For example, Dr. Nishath Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak may proactively balance a woman’s hormones to prevent osteoporosis – rather than waiting until bone density is lost and treating it with harsh medication. Similarly, she offers the Bale-Doneen method of cardiac risk assessments to create personalized integrative prevention plans that lower cardiovascular risk and stop heart disease before it starts.
Natural Medicine Doctor | Royal Oak
Choosing a natural medicine doctor offers patients a comprehensive approach to healthcare that focuses on the whole person, holistic well-being, disease prevention, and natural therapies. By addressing the root causes of illness – and providing personalized treatment plans – Dr. Nishath Hakim, MD at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI empowers patients to take an active role in their health journey.
If you seek an integrative and patient-centered approach to healthcare, Dr. Hakim at Prosperity Health in Royal Oak, MI, can guide you towards optimal well-being and support you in achieving your health goals – so you live a long and healthy life.
