Naturopathic Healthcare

Philosophy
Naturopathic philosophy is based on the concept of the healing power of nature.  Doctors study at a four-year, graduate-level medical school. The curriculum includes the medical sciences studied by MDs. Emphasis is given to holistic and noninvasive approaches that optimize wellness and disease prevention rather than treating symptoms. In addition to following a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic doctor is required to complete training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, herbal medicine, minor surgery and counseling.

Naturopathic physicians take professional board exams in order to be licensed by the state as primary care general practice physicians (identified as an ND or NMD).  However, not all states license Naturopathic physicians, here in North Carolina we do not have licensure yet.  Therefore Dr. Anna Kate Cascio, ND holds her primary care physician’s license in the state of Arizona, where she graduated from the  Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and where she sat for and passed the eleven Arizona state board exams.

Clinical Nutrition
What you eat is the basis for your health. Adopting a healthy diet is often the first step towards correcting health problems. Many medical conditions can be treated more effectively with foods and nutritional supplements than they can by other means, but with fewer complications and side effects. Specific diet plans, diet recalls and supported fasting or cleanses may be applied on an individual basis.  Sometimes it is as simple as changing the timing meals that can help maintain wellness.

Anna Kate Cascio, N.D.

Herbal Healthcare
Herbal medicine has been used for centuries.  Plants have powerful healing properties. Many pharmaceutical drugs have their origins in plant substances.  Herbs can be used carefully in combination with or without prescription drugs to help people obtain health. Herbs are taken into the body, much like a food source, we are usually able to break down and absorb the medicine from plants easily.  In some cases herbs maybe used as a combination or alone, depending on the person and their health concern.

Classical Homeopathy
This gentle yet effective system of medicine is more than 200 years old and is based on the principle that ‘Like cures Like’. Homeopathic medicines are very small doses of natural substances that can stimulate the body's self-healing response.  Homeopathy itself can be used to address ailments as simple as a sore throat to more complex conditions like depression and anxiety.  Some conditions for which conventional medicine has no effective treatments will respond well to homeopathy.  Homeopathy fits well with Naturopathic Medicine since it addresses the person as a whole, taking into account the physical, emotional and mental states. 

Lifestyle Counseling and Stress Management
Mental attitudes and emotional states can be important elements in healing and disease. Naturopathic philosophy addresses the obstacles to cure, whether they originate in the mind, body or spirit.