UNDERSTANDING NATUROPATHIC MEDICINAL PRACTICE IN MINNESOTA

An individual can practice medicine without a license in Minnesota. This has both advantages and disadvantages.

• The advantage is that it allows naturopathic doctors to practice under a registration number, like myself. It also allows other qualified health care providers, such as homeopathic doctors and massage therapists to practice in this state.
• The disadvantage is that an individual can call himself or herself a naturopath without ever having obtained the appropriate education.

How to Choose a Naturopathic Doctor in Minnesota

My recommendation to anyone seeking naturopathic medical advice is that you should always consider your potential naturopath’s education and background. For instance, some current practicing naturopathic doctors do not hold four-year or medical degrees of any sort. Some are self-trained through “experience”, basic books or online courses.

There are others, however, that have formal training like me. This formal training involves a four-year education in a program accredited for Naturopathic Medicine. Courses include herbal and homeopathic medicine, counseling, clinical nutrition, and more. We spend two years in clinical training with overseeing doctors to enrich our hands on experience. Training culminates in national board exams that enable those who pass to practice as a primary care physician. In Minnesota, those that have passed these national board exams are registered with the state and practice under Statute 147E for naturopathic doctors. Those who are not eligible to take national board exams practice under Statute 146A for complementary and alternative health care practices.

So when you are considering non-traditional medicine, please ensure you also compare the education and experience of each doctor you are considering. Look for someone who is registered with the state of Minnesota as a naturopathic doctor, like myself.

Call Me, Naturopathic Doctor Stephani Waldron-Trapp, to Learn More

If you’d like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call me at 612-250-2804 or to send me a quick email. I will answer your questions and can work with you to create a plan that helps you reach your optimal health.