Mary Light ND, MH is delighted that naturopathy works to support clients in the restoration of their health through natural healing, naturopathy, natural therapeutics.  Traditional Naturopathy is described below in the set of FAQ.  Here also is a link which explains Traditional Naturopathy further: http://www.classicalnaturopathy.org/naturopathy.html This link describes legalities in the 50 states. Our goal in working co-creatively in this manner with our clients is to support the natural healing forces of the body, in order to assist in the reduction and disappearance of as many unnatural symptoms as possible, and to assist in maintaining health, wholeness, and awareness.  Many discomforts a given client suffers - however small (fatigue, pains, digestive discomforts, etc) -  are red flags for larger imbalances which could lead to more serious disease and conditions.  Rejuvenation, as an additional focus, helps our clients move beyond outdated models of health and into higher vibratory levels of well being. FAQ:  What is naturopathy ?             How are naturopaths trained? A:  As the name implies, it is a healing system following the laws of nature, of which we are a part, as a pathway to healing and wellness.  Hence, it is the oldest system we have.  Drugs and surgery are not utilized in naturopathy.  A holistic approach is followed throughout.  Because of this, naturopathy has gained great appeal and a re-emerging following in our modern age of treatment which includes many methods which miss the mark.  The pillars of naturopathy include Diet, Movement, Botanical/Herbal Therapeutics, Bodywork/Massage therapies, and Hydrotherapy.  Each one of these catagories represents support to the body through natural laws.  Each one includes a variety of methods of application- for example, there are many hydrotherapy methods; there are many herbs and botanicals; there are a number of effective bodywork therapies.  Naturopaths are trained through schools offering traditional naturopathy curriculums, through apprenticeships, through combined bodywork, herbal, hydrotherapy, and natural healing training... and also all of the above.  Mary Light completed her training between the years of 1991-1999, with clinical experience beginning in 1994 through the present, 2009.  Clients are assisted in maintaining this understanding by signing an agreement which states that we are not practicing allopathic medicine, nor are we diagnosing medically named disease.  FAQ:  Should I bring my medical lab test results to           our consultation? A: No - we have our own assessment and interpretation methods.  Your medical lab tests are useful to an allopathic medical physician, and may help explain that particular world view to you- however, we have a potentially different and unique perspective to offer, which is why you are contacting us- for a different opinion.  FAQ:  Will you work specifically with my disease? A:  I work with body tissue states and the rebalancing of health.  Disease is a medically named phenomena.  I work with YOU , personally, and you are so much more than a codified name for a set of symptoms.  We also know how very common it is to be misdiagnosed, or to experience health symptoms which go unaddressed.  Certainly the symptoms and discomforts that  you have, your health background, and current environmental influences play a part in our western traditional naturopathy information gathering, as they do in Chinese medicine.  However we do not "codify" this information according to allopathic medical system, as Chinese medicine also does not.  We have our own useful and insightful system of interpretation and assessment from which we communicate to you, and draw on to formulate treatment plans.  You will sign a form in order to work with me to indicate that you understand this and have been informed.  Your health state is communicated to you in terms which reflect naturopathy and naturopathic theory and practice, which is generally more understandable to clients than medical jargon. We work co-operatively in connection with a variety of practitioners to support each client's goals of health and healing. We give and receive cross- referrals within the community as a matter of course. FAQ: Must I choose between practitioners?  A:  Health freedoms exist to give you an array of choices, and to help you increase your information base so as to make your own informed choices.  Mary Light interfaces with a variety of practitioners.  Ultimately clients will choose the path they wish to take, vs. the practitioner.  Your evolving state of health, and health goals will help you determine those choices.  FAQ:  How long does it take to get well ? A:  Traditional naturopathy is a very helpful pathway to offer a holistic overview for individual cases, so this answer will differ on a case by case basis.  Body tissue states can take weeks to months to heal, rejuvenate, and rebalance, just as a cut or a scrape externally has a progression of healing rather than immediate healing.  Herbs, nutrients, natural therapeutics and holistic care seek to support your healing process, accelerating it in any way possible. You do, however, feel the progress of your healing by feeling better each day, each week, over time.  You are also given the gift of being in touch with the true workings of your body, instead of being drugged past all recognition of nuanced body processes.  Your endocrine glands, veins and arteries, body tissues and structures go through a process of detoxification, healing, and improved function.  Just as you can work a little to improve muscle strength, so can other body systems be brought into optimum function and balance.  A very damaged inner ecology may take longer to heal than simpler health problems.  Examples of this include liver damage, damage to the digestive system from long term use of manipulative drugs such as Nexium, subnutrition, and other pathologies.  Yet, your body still responds favorably to positive support and care, and in most cases will rejuvenate and regenerate towards a healthy state.