What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct approach to health care with its own medical curriculum and philosophy of care.
Naturopathic doctors attend accredited 4-year naturopathic medical schools (there are only 4 in the United States and 2 in Canada). I went to Bastyr University in Seattle, where I spent an extra year earning a certificate in naturopathic midwifery. I then completed another year of family medicine residency at the National University of Natural Medicine — for a total of 6 years of post-baccalaureate medical education.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) take board exams and are registered in the state of Colorado to diagnose and treat medical conditions. My license number is 0052 — meaning I was the 52nd naturopathic doctor to get registered in Colorado.
Vis Medicatrix Naturae — The Healing Power of Nature
Naturopathic medicine is rooted in the philosophy of Vis Medicatrix Naturae — a Latin phrase attributed to Hippocrates meaning “The Healing Power of Nature.”
It is the principle that the body has an inherent wisdom — the same wisdom we see reflected in the natural world. One job of the naturopathic doctor is to help patients observe how their symptoms reflect imbalances in their body and create a plan to resolve or mediate those symptoms using gentle and effective naturopathic modalities — like nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and botanicals.
“Vis Medicatrix Naturae” is so meaningful to me that I have it tattooed on my body. I am a die-hard naturopathic doctor!
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OTHER PRINCIPLES OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE >>>
Naturopathic Medicine vs. Functional Medicine
Naturopathic doctors help patients pick the right tool at the right time. This can include medications, vaccines, and surgeries. It can also offer safe and effective alternatives, and integrate into conventional treatment plans when that’s the best path forward.
While naturopathic medicine shares several similarities with functional medicine, our roots run a bit deeper.
Functional medicine was formalized in the mid-1990s (with naturopathic doctors teaching some of the very first courses and certifications). Naturopathic medicine has been around since the early 1900s and is more influenced by traditional and individualized approaches to health care — while still including modern diagnostics and treatments when needed.
Dr. Caitlin O'Connor is an exemplary naturopathic physician.
“I came to see Dr. Caitlin O'Connor primarily for not sleeping well for almost 7 years. After trying self-prescribed and primary care doctor-prescribed sleeping aids with very little success, I am now sleeping through most of the night after seeing Dr. Caitlin only once. Her use of a naturally found amino acid already in the body has been truly a gift to me in restoring my restful sleep pattern. My only regret is that I waited too many years to seek out Dr. Caitlin! Highly professional, personable, knowledgable, and very thorough, Dr. Caitlin O'Connor is an exemplary naturopathic physician.”
-women’s health patient
Why I Chose This Work
I was drawn to naturopathic medicine when I observed family and friends in the conventional world grow more and more frustrated with their ability to practice good medicine in the context of a modern, for-profit, pharmaceutically influenced, and insurance-driven industry.
I am thankful every day that naturopathic medicine offers me the time, freedom, and the tools to help patients get well.
Is Naturopathic Medicine Right for You?
Not sure if this approach is the right next step? A free 15-minute consultation offers space to ask questions, learn more about how I practice, and explore whether working together feels aligned.