Both are educated in the basic medical sciences, diagnosis and laboratory analysis. A Medical doctor often treats a patient’s symptoms using primarily pharmaceutical drugs or surgery. A Naturopathic doctor treats the whole person to heal the cause of the symptoms, using a variety of natural therapies and nutrition.
Naturopathic doctors can treat a wide variety of conditions without the use of drugs and surgery, and this is the primary reason patients choose to see us. They also enjoy having more time with their doctor to get all their questions answered. Some patients want to integrate their medical treatment with naturopathic treatment to receive the best that both practices have to offer. Some patients see us because they have a health problem that has not been helped by other means. Our goal is to identify and treat the cause of the health problem, rather than merely suppressing the symptoms.
Classical homeopathy refers to the practice of administering one single remedy at a time to achieve a healing response. This method of prescribing is sometimes referred to as “constitutional” prescribing, which means that it is for the body as a whole entity. The doctor takes the patient’s homeopathic case through an in-depth health interview, and then determines the appropriate remedy based on the information given. Classical homeopathy works on the deepest level to heal chronic illness.
For more information on Homeopathic Medicine, [ Go ]
Naturopathy is a system of medicine based on the healing power of nature. Naturopathic treatments include nutrition, botanical medicines, homeopathic medicines, physical therapies and spinal manipulation, hydrotherapy (water treatments), counseling and lifestyle changes. Naturopathic doctors may choose to specialize in one or more of these modalities, such as homeopathy.
For more information on Naturopathic Medicine, [ Go ]
Fatigue, obesity, allergies, asthma, colds and flu, arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic ear infections, behavioral problems in children, depression, women’s health issues, digestive problems, insomnia, and headaches to name a few.
Yes. I feel a patient’s interests are best served when health care providers work together. Each profession brings its own insight and expertise. Communication between all parties is the key to integrated care.
Yes. We prescribe natural remedies and supplements that can work in tandem with prescription drugs. Naturopathic doctors learn about potential drug-herb interactions in medical school to ensure your safety.
You may receive different points of view on this question. We believe surgery and drug therapy are important health care tools. In non-emergency situations, we feel that naturopathic medicine should be used first to minimize the necessity of more aggressive or invasive care. However, quite often traditional drug treatment and naturopathic medicine can work together. For example, someone who is taking a prescription drug for high blood pressure can work with us to make dietary and lifestyle modifications or to receive a homeopathic or herbal remedy that can augment this treatment and potentially help them to become drug free in the future.
Health insurance coverage varies with each insurance company and the patient’s plan within the company. We encourage you to contact your provider directly to inquire about your policy. At this time there are a few companies in New Hampshire that cover our services; our office can give you the completed forms required for you to send to your insurance company. Some companies will cover our programs and classes and may cover some office appointments. We are happy to assist you with this process by explaining our services and programs to you and/or your provider.
Unfortunately, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover our office visits at this time. You may want to inquire with them directly about coverage for our health education and wellness programs, such as The Cleanse program, and our Cardiovascular Health Screenings.
Not as a rule; however in certain circumstances an individual payment plan can be arranged for office visit charges. We ask that anything we have to buy (supplements, lab tests, and medical supplies) be covered at the time of service. The specifics of each payment plan needs to be worked out with our Office Assistant and approved by Dr. Herring. We also accept credit cards for your convenience.
Yes. Research into complementary and alternative medicine has been ongoing, and is increasing now that interest and awareness have created more national funding opportunities. For more information on research into natural medicine, please visit the National Institute of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Very. One of the primary tenets of Naturopathic medicine is “First Do No Harm.” Our goal is to help you feel better without causing harm or uncomfortable side effects. Naturopathic doctors have extensive training in the safe use of botanicals and supplements including some which are very powerful. They are also trained in the interactions between natural medicines and pharmaceuticals. We recommend that people seek assistance from a qualified practitioner whenever using herbal or vitamin supplementation to ensure health and safety.
Yes, naturopathic doctors are licensed in New Hampshire as well as in other states and the District of Columbia. Licensing is overseen by the NH Board of Naturopathic Examiners through the State of NH Department of Health and Human Services.
Naturopathic Doctors licensed as primary care doctors in the State of New Hampshire have graduated from a four-year postgraduate medical school and must pass a state administered examination. There are currently four postgraduate schools of Naturopathic medicine in the United States that are accredited. In addition to naturopathic medicine, programs at these schools provide a strong background in the sciences, western diagnosis and course work in nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, botanical medicine and midwifery. The four-year curriculum prepares students for the degree of Doctor of Naturopathy, with a strong background in the sciences and western diagnosis, the only such education that qualifies for licensure in the United States. Dr. Herring is a graduate of Bastyr University in Seattle Washington.
Homeopathy is practiced by a wide variety of health-care practitioners including medical doctors, osteopaths, naturopathic doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, dentists, veterinarians, chiropractors, acupuncturists, nurse midwives, podiatrists, and professional homeopaths. Individual states regulate the practice of homeopathy, and each state's laws and requirements for practice are different. In most cases, homeopathy can be employed legally by any health professional whose license entitles them to prescribe medicines, such as MD's, DO's, and ND's.
Yes. We treat children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers. Children respond especially well to homeopathic medicines and specific nutritional support. We have seen great successes in children with asthma and allergies, bedwetting, colic and irritability, skin conditions, autism, attention deficit disorder and cognitive disorders, and many other types of health problems.
Usually we can schedule an appointment within a few days to a week. For acute illnesses that do not need treatment in the emergency room (such as colds and flus, bronchitis, sore throats, etc.), we can often get people in on the same day.
The first visit is typically 90 minutes. Follow up visits last between 45 and 60 minutes. This time is spent directly with Dr. Herring who listens to your health concerns and works with you to create a treatment plan for you.
On your first visit to Dr. Herring, she will review your complete health history as well as your current health conditions. She will go over the prescriptions or supplements you may be taking and go over any medical records or lab work you bring with you. She will then conduct a homeopathic interview (see What is Classical Homeopathy for more detailed information about this process) to determine the appropriate homeopathic remedy for you. Along with your homeopathic remedy, she may recommend nutritional supplements or laboratory testing if needed. Typically, patients return in four to six weeks for a follow up visit to evaluate treatment progress.
How often you will need to come in depends on the nature of your ailment. In general, we like to see people at four to six week intervals at least twice after the first appointment. Some people continue to see us every four to six weeks, or as appropriate for the individual health condition.
Both acute and chronic conditions of all kinds can be brought to Dr. Herring. If she believes your condition requires additional treatment from a different type of practitioner, she will make a referral to the appropriate specialist.
See Dr. Herring’s Biography
Yes. We maintain a dispensary for our patients in order to ensure product integrity and quality control measures of the highest standard (used by our suppliers). Quality and potency vary widely from brand to brand. Our products are screened for contaminants; are made with low-allergy-potential ingredients; are better absorbed and utilized by the body; and are typically backed by more clinical research than “over-the-counter” brands. We find that people achieve better health results with higher quality products. We may refer you to a health food store for a product we do not carry.
To make sure all of our patients are comfortable during their visit, we continuously run an Ecoquest air filter. We also ask that all our patients avoid wearing perfumes, colognes, deodorants or body creams, especially those that are strong smelling, due to the potential effect it may have on other patients as well as staff.
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