Sara Jean Barrett, ND I am a naturopathic doctor. You are probably thinking “a naturo-what?” When I graduated medical school and passed my licensing exams I joined a small profession of approximately 5,000 physicians in North America. How did I get here? When I was working on my bachelors degree in Pre-Med Biology and conducting research in medical labs I was not happy with what I saw. I realized that in this country we have a disease model of medicine. When a person goes to the doctor they get labeled with things like: depression, heart disease, diabetes etc. Each of these labels or diagnoses has a protocol likely involving a prescribed medication. So what we end up with is a muddled picture of symptoms and side effects but no real answers. This is not “health care” it is disease management. I wanted no part of that model. So I research alternative fields of medicine and enrolled in 1 of 7 naturopathic medical schools in North America. (http://www.aanmc.org/the-schools.php)
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary care health profession that emphasizes prevention, treatment and optimal health. We use therapeutic methods and substances which encourage the patient’s inherent self-healing process. We believe that the body wants to be in balance and can heal itself when given what it needs. Naturopathic doctors attend a four year post graduate medical school where we learn the same basic sciences, diagnostics, and pharmacology as conventional doctors with additional training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, genetic testing, counseling, IV & injection therapy and supplements (to name a few modalities). We also receive two years of clinical training in a primary care setting. We graduate as experts in “alternative” medicine. As a naturopathic doctor I walk the line between conventional and alternative practices. I am trained in pharmacology, I order lab work and imaging, and I know when to identify a condition that can be dangerous and/or life threatening. I know what options exist in the “alternative realm” and when they can be useful. I help my patients navigate the vast amount of information on both sides so they can make the most informed decisions about their health.
When should you seek an ND? Most patients I see have struggled with chronic health issues for years. If you are suffering with a chronic illness: diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune conditions, fibromyalgia, etc. and you have not been helped by conventional medicine, give naturopathic medicine a try. I would love to treat patients before they spend years of their time suffering, and countless dollars trying to find a comprehensive answer and solution.
What distinguishes naturopathic medicine from conventional medicine? Naturopathic medicine looks for and treats the root cause of illness. Chemotherapy drugs do not solve autoimmune disease. Inflammatory bowel disease is not solved by immunosuppressive medications. I don’t believe that endometriosis must result in a hysterectomy. The naturopathic approach is to find out what is out of balance in the body and bring it back to homeostasis. Sometimes this is a difficult path to navigate but that is why I chose this profession. Each patient is a unique challenge and nothing is more rewarding than discovering the root cause of their illness and guiding them back to health.
Dr. Sara Jean Barrett practices in Bloomington, MN where she sees patients of all ages and conditions but specializes in endocrinology, autoimmune disease, and gastrointestinal conditions. Dr. Barrett truly believes that her role is to educate her patients so they can make the best informed decisions for their health. Dr. Barrett offers a free 15 minute consultation so you can decide if she is the right fit for your health needs. For more information about her practice please visit www.AlternativeSolutionsMN.com
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary care health profession that emphasizes prevention, treatment and optimal health. We use therapeutic methods and substances which encourage the patient’s inherent self-healing process. We believe that the body wants to be in balance and can heal itself when given what it needs. Naturopathic doctors attend a four year post graduate medical school where we learn the same basic sciences, diagnostics, and pharmacology as conventional doctors with additional training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, genetic testing, counseling, IV & injection therapy and supplements (to name a few modalities). We also receive two years of clinical training in a primary care setting. We graduate as experts in “alternative” medicine. As a naturopathic doctor I walk the line between conventional and alternative practices. I am trained in pharmacology, I order lab work and imaging, and I know when to identify a condition that can be dangerous and/or life threatening. I know what options exist in the “alternative realm” and when they can be useful. I help my patients navigate the vast amount of information on both sides so they can make the most informed decisions about their health.
When should you seek an ND? Most patients I see have struggled with chronic health issues for years. If you are suffering with a chronic illness: diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune conditions, fibromyalgia, etc. and you have not been helped by conventional medicine, give naturopathic medicine a try. I would love to treat patients before they spend years of their time suffering, and countless dollars trying to find a comprehensive answer and solution.
What distinguishes naturopathic medicine from conventional medicine? Naturopathic medicine looks for and treats the root cause of illness. Chemotherapy drugs do not solve autoimmune disease. Inflammatory bowel disease is not solved by immunosuppressive medications. I don’t believe that endometriosis must result in a hysterectomy. The naturopathic approach is to find out what is out of balance in the body and bring it back to homeostasis. Sometimes this is a difficult path to navigate but that is why I chose this profession. Each patient is a unique challenge and nothing is more rewarding than discovering the root cause of their illness and guiding them back to health.
Dr. Sara Jean Barrett practices in Bloomington, MN where she sees patients of all ages and conditions but specializes in endocrinology, autoimmune disease, and gastrointestinal conditions. Dr. Barrett truly believes that her role is to educate her patients so they can make the best informed decisions for their health. Dr. Barrett offers a free 15 minute consultation so you can decide if she is the right fit for your health needs. For more information about her practice please visit www.AlternativeSolutionsMN.com