Nutritional Therapies for Immune
System, Inflammatory, Digestive and Related Disorders
Acerca de
Dr. Scott Woodworth BSc ND
Dr. Scott Woodworth BSc ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor practicing in Nova Scotia, Canada. He received his undergraduate Degree from the University of New Brunswick and his Naturopathic Doctorate at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in May of 2000. He has been in private practice since graduation. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, Nova Scotia Association of Naturopathic Doctors, and maintains his Licensure from the State of Vermont as well as with the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta.
Dr. Woodworth began his specialization in Immune system and related disorders very early in his practice. He has an in depth knowledge of the intricate workings of the immune system and how inflammation affects the other physiological processes in the body. He focuses on identifying immune and inflammatory triggers in the body, removing them and then repairing the damage and restoring balance to these body system.
Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system which blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. Naturopathic practitioners try to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body, and unfavorable lifestyle habits.
Naturopathic Medicine emphasizes disease as a process rather than as an entity. Naturopathic Doctors treat people with illnesses, not just the illness. Treating both acute and chronic conditions, naturopathic treatments are chosen based on the individual patient – their physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environment and lifestyle factors.
In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation and traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, may also be used during treatments. In Canada, the naturopathic medical profession’s infrastructure includes accredited educational institutions, professional licensing, national standards of practice, participation in many federal health committee initiatives, and a commitment to state-of-the-art scientific research.
Treatment Philosophy
It’s very simple, identify and treat the underlying cause of the symptom, rather than just the symptom itself.
Treat the cause, not the symptom is the basis for his approach for all his patients. He focuses on nutritional and environmental interventions with his patients. Nutritional supplements and herbal medicines are focused on repairing and restoring normal function, after the cause of the dysfunction has been addressed.
Conventional medicine is excellent for acute crisis care and management. For chronic health conditions, conventional medicine often focuses on symptomatic management for conditions. Pain killers for headaches, sleeping pills for insomnia, antidepressants for depression, antacids for reflux, etc. If these medications work, what happens if we stop taking them? The symptoms return, because we didn’t identify and treat what was causing the symptom in the first place.
Many people think Naturopathic Medicine is about taking “natural medicines” instead of conventional ones. For example, taking St. John’s Wart for depression rather than an antidepressant. Or taking an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine such as Curcumin for muscle or joint pain instead of an anti-inflammatory medication. Take Melatonin for sleep issues rather than a prescription sleep aid. Unfortunately, many natural health professionals believe this to be the case as well. This is not "Treat the Cause" medicine. This is "treat the symptom with as natural pill instead of a synthetic pill" medicine.
If we treat a symptom with a natural product rather than with a synthetic one, we are still just focusing on treating the symptom and not the CAUSE of the symptom. We can use these products as symptomatic aids during your treatment, but emphasis MUST be on identifying the cause of the symptom and addressing that.
For inflammatory disorders, don't ask "what can I take for inflammation". Ask WHAT is the trigger or cause for the inflammation?
For depression, anxiety and insomnia, don't ask "what can I take for sleep and for anxiety". Ask WHAT is the biochemical or hormonal imbalance causing the sleep and anxiety problem?
For reflux don't ask "what can I take for reflux", ask "WHAT is causing my reflux?" You get the picture.
Instead of asking “WHAT can I take for this…” We need to ask “WHAT is causing this…”
The overall approach to any health condition is always the same.
1. Identify the Cause of the condition or symptom(s)
2. Remove it.
3. Repair the damage and restore balance and function.
The emphasis of natural “treatments” such as nutraceuticals, botanical medicines, homeopathic, vitamins and minerals should be on repairing and restoring normal function, not management of symptoms. If we try and repair and restore normal function, while the cause of the dysfunction is still occurring, you will have limited results or success with these treatments. It is like trying to fill up an empty bucket, with a big hole in the bottom of the bucket. Repair the hole first, and you will be able to fill up the bucket.