Inside Naturopathic Medicine: An Interview With Stephani Waldron-Trapp, ND, A Clinician in the Bloomington Natural Care Center
Posted on April 24, 2008
How did you become involved in naturopathic medicine? What particularly interested you about this type of medicine as you began your career?
My career began initially in the medical field as a massage therapist. I found myself desiring to offer more to my clients in respect to their health. I began to explore natural health care options myself and I found a naturopath who inspired me to continue on with my education to become a naturopathic doctor. What inspired me were the safe and effective options I had to become well, including: nutrition, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and more. I have enjoyed working with people and offering all that I have learned to help improve overall wellness. What I like most about naturopathic medicine is the vast background in so many areas. This puts me in a position where I can tailor recommendations according to individual needs and interests.
What makes naturopathic medicine different from traditional Western medical practice?
Naturopathic medicine is different from traditional Western medical practices in several areas. Naturopathic medicine treats the whole person instead of treating a disease that a person has. The focus of treatment is on the cause of disease and not the disease itself. Naturopathic doctors take a good history of the patient, with the first appointment typically one to two hours in duration, and run functional lab tests if necessary to find underlying causes of disease. Its philosophy embraces the idea that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself when given the right tools for optimal health. Naturopaths provide these tools through education, identifying and treating the cause, supporting the whole body, using treatments that minimize risks of harmful effects, and promoting overall wellness to prevent illness and/or its progression into a more serious disease.
Why did you decide to come to Northwestern?
I came to Northwestern because I believe it is a wonderful place to offer naturopathic medicine. Practicing within the University allows me to work side by side with other practitioners offering health care that complements naturopathic medicine. It is a place where people can come for several different treatment options and have blood work or functional labs done. It provides an environment for complete preventative health care and offers specialties to treat specific health conditions. It is an educational facility that offers opportunities for the community to learn more about natural health care and all that it has to offer.
How does naturopathic medicine fit in with and complement the other types of health care Northwestern provides – chiropractic, massage therapy and acupuncture?
Naturopathic medicine forms a great synergy with chiropractic, acupuncture and therapeutic massage . It is wonderful on its own, but to create a state of optimal wellness I believe that combining therapies is of much benefit, as each type of therapy has a specific focus on optimizing health. It is beneficial and convenient for people who are seeking natural health care to have several safe and effective options offered in one location. I believe that integrating different modalities gives the patient the best outcome.
Are there any conditions that you specialize in treating?
I specialize in nutrition, weight loss, gastrointestinal health, women’s health (including hormonal and emotional imbalances), children’s health (including colic, sinus infections, ear infections, allergies, asthma, sleeping problems, behavioral imbalances, and alternative options for vaccinations), autoimmune disorders, detoxification, mental/emotional balancing, immune support, safe and effective pain management, and more. Since the philosophy behind naturopathic medicine is ideally prevention by increasing overall well being, anyone can benefit from these services.
What do patients who are successfully treated for their conditions through naturopathic medicine say about this form of health care?
Patients who have been treated successfully with naturopathic medicine are pleased with this approach and the natural options available to achieve optimal health. It is a refreshing alternative for those who have not improved on prescription drugs or have become worse from the side effects of them. They are grateful for the time I take to really get to know them individually and to educate and advise them appropriately.
Can naturopathic medicine “immunize” people against measles, mumps, etc?
Naturopathic medicine itself does not “immunize” people against measles, mumps and other childhood diseases. However, I do offer consultations on alternatives to immunizations. The ideal goal is to keep oneself healthy to be able to fight off disease naturally. This is obtained through proper nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and an immune system that is functioning optimally. The alternatives to immunizations that I offer are homeopathic remedies. This includes either a constitutional remedy to strengthen the whole person or individual homeopathic preparations based on which diseases are desired to be prevented. These do not take the place of vaccinations but can be used in place of them for anyone who desires not to be vaccinated. Homeopathic remedies can also be used in conjunction with vaccinations to combat any possible negative side effects.
How do you plan on spreading the knowledge of and interest in naturopathic medicine at Northwestern?
Spreading knowledge relies on education and that is just what I plan to do, educate the public. Most people are unaware of naturopathic medicine and all that it has to offer. Through proper education, they can understand how it is beneficial for them and for others in the community. I plan on talking with people at Northwestern and the surrounding community about Naturopathic medicine and the approach it has to natural health care. Learning all health care options is ideal, and naturopathic medicine offers safe and effective individualized care.