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JAN / FEB 2014
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HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS
NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
and ask questions about diet, lifestyle, and
environmental factors. is is to get a whole
picture of the patient to ensure the best indi-
vidualized methods for that person.
Naturopathic doctors believe in the heal-
ing power of nature and the body’s natural
ability to heal itself once they determine root
causes for medical issues and remove cer-
tain health obstacles. In a healthcare system
where symptoms management is often the
primary route doctors take, NewOrleanians
are given the option to explore the potential
of the body’s power and the effectiveness of
preventative care.
“ e key to addressing our healthcare
crisis is preventing disease,” says Dr. Yanez.
“We can focus more on the basics of health
and what it takes to be a healthy person—
good thoughts, good food, good water, good
movement—and in most cases, most of the
illnesses that we see in this country wouldn’t
be there.”
As budget cuts for Louisiana healthcare
have taken effect this past year, naturopathic
medicine may offer another opportunity for
individuals looking for other nontraditional,
but effective ways for treating and prevent-
ing common illnesses.
“We see what all this healthcare is going
toward, and a lot of it is diet and lifestyle
related, like stroke and heart disease,” says
Dr. Yanez. “I really do think that those are
areas that naturopathic doctors can make
an absolutely lasting impact.”
In the state of Louisiana, there is no natu-
ropathic medical licensing program, so Dr.
Whittemore and Dr. Pate are not allowed
to diagnose or treat patients as they were
trained to do. However, as interest grows in
New Orleans and the rest of the state, local
practitioners hope that Louisiana will join
the other licensed states soon.
In the meantime, Dr. Pate works along-
side other medical doctors to improve the
overall healthcare of her patients, and Dr.
Whittemore fuels her passion by assisting
her clients as they transform their diets and
lifestyles and lead a more healthful life.
Dr. Pate concludes, “When you give the
body the tools that it needs and when you
give people the information that they need,
it’s amazing what I’ve seen in my practice.
I truly believe that with the right tools and
information, we can heal anything.”
■
“When you give the body the
tools that it needs and when you
give people the information that
they need, it’s amazing what I’ve
seen in my practice. I truly believe
that with the right tools and
information, we can heal anything.”
—
Lisa Chambers Pate, ND
Lisa Chambers Pate, ND