When it comes to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), the elderly are taking a backseat to nobody. According to an AARP and NCCAM survey, over half (53%) of older adults use some form of CAM, making Scottsdale Alternative Medicine popular.

​Who’s Driving the Trend?
Studies report the use of CAM increases with education, and women are more likely to take advantage of CAM than men: 51 to 43%, respectively. Broken down by age range, a large percentage of the population is taking advantage of CAM’s many benefits:

• 44.1% of 50-59 year olds.
• 41% of 60-69 year olds.
• 32.1% of 70-84 year olds.
• 24.2% of those 85 and older.

What CAM Therapies Have Elders Hot-Rodding to Their Alternative Medicine and Naturopathic Doctor in Scottsdale?

• Herbs and Supplements  
  Herbal products and dietary supplements are commonly used, with just over a third (37 percent) of respondents reporting their use for maintaining health and managing illnesses.
• Acupuncture 
  Effective and non-invasive, especially when compared to surgery, this ancient practice can restore and balance energy flow. A wonderful non-surgical treatment for many issues, from constitutional disorders to pain, and especially effective when used in conjunction with chiropractic and/or massage therapy.
• Dietary Therapy
  The aging population is more frequently turning to CAM professionals for help implementing a more natural, holistic diet better suited to supporting a healthy constitution than today’s typical chemical laden, processed food fare.
• Mind-Body Medicine
  A variety of techniques ranging from patient support groups to cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation and prayer, as well as the use of other creative outlets such as art, music, and dance, have been shown both popular and effective for a wide range of health disorders.

Ready to jump on the CAM bandwagon? Find an alternative medicine and naturopathic doctor in Scottsdale today!

​Naturopathic medicine, regaled in time’s past, has now found its home in the present. Naturopathic medicine in Phoenix is now commonly and frequently used to treat a variety of ailments. Cementing this trend: Ringing endorsements from the medical community and increased interest in studies seeking to prove the legitimacy of a host of alternative methods.

A melting pot of remedies
Alternative and natural medicine forms are many, including acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, hydrotherapy, chelation therapy, herbal medicines, homeopathy, aromatherapy, and meditation to name but a few. And the list of alternative solutions commonly accepted and endorsed by the mainstream medical community and public at large continues to grow at an ever increasing pace.

A cooperative approach
Thanks in part to alternative and natural medicine, gone are expectations of a co-pay given and prescription received. Today’s era of integrative patient care carries with it the boon of a more participatory role by patients. As patients continue to push to be in the driver’s seat, playing a direct role in reaching their goals of health and total well-being, the culture of medicine is shifting.
​
A more integrative future
A normal part of everyday life in other parts of the world, Americans are increasingly taking advantage of alternative medicine, choosing natural remedies over synthetic pharmaceuticals and surgical procedures. The mainstream medical community is increasingly taking notice, resulting in the weaving of these natural and alternative treatments into the fabric of healthcare, and in the creation of new norms as medical centers and insurance companies struggle to keep up with patient demand.

What’s your healthcare future look like? Change is here. Find a practitioner of naturopathic medicine in Phoenix today.

 ​Alternative medicine is fantastic, but it’s not a miracle cure. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of alternative medicine when visiting your naturopathic doctor in Scottsdale can help you approach treatment with more realistic expectations, supporting a positive outcome and reducing disappointment.
 
Alternative Medicine in Scottsdale: Know Before You Go!

• PROS
  • A holistic approach…
    Alternative medicine emphasizes whole-person care, rather than traditional medicine’s sole focus on problem areas – one of the main reasons the use of alternative medicine is on the rise.
    
  • A personal touch…
    Alternative medicine offers more one-on-one attention versus the packed waiting room, time-strapped milieu you’ll get in conventional doctors’ offices.
    
  • A focus on prevention…
    Well visits, rather than sick care is stressed, emphasizing a proactive approach to whole mind and body wellness.
    
    “The superior doctor prevents sickness;
    The mediocre doctor attends to impending sickness;
    The inferior doctor treats actual sickness.”
    - Chinese Proverb
• CONS
  • Limited scientific research…
    Though scientific research into alternative approaches is on the rise due to increased consumer demand, compared to traditional methods, evidence is more limited in scope and largely related to clinical outcomes.
    
  • Confusing jargon...
    For those not in-the-know, supplement, vitamin, mineral, and herb jargon can be confusing, as can the common assumption that “natural” means risk-free.
    
  • Potential drug interactions...
    Even in products with no artificial ingredient, vitamins, minerals, and herbs may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medication – or create side effects of their own. Opting for primary care physicians with a more integrative approach can reduce these risks.
    
  • Not for emergencies…
    While alternative medicine is great for palliative and preventive care, severe emergencies are best treated by conventional care.

It is possible to enjoy the best of both worlds – with the help of the right naturopathic doctor in Scottsdale. Experience superior health. Find an integrative alternative medicine center near you today.

​From chronic pain to cholesterol issues, stress and anxiety, the U.S. takes the cake when it comes to prescription medication – or over medication as the case may be. More than half our population takes two prescription medications, and 20% of us take at least five. We’ve been led to believe there’s a magic pill to cure all, yet prescription drugs remain the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. What’s an ailing Arizonan to do? Turn to Rockwood Natural Medicine Clinic acupuncture and Scottsdale naturopathic alternative medicine to lighten your load!

How an acupuncture and alternative medicine relieve you of your prescription drug burden?

•     Lessening your prescription medicine needs.
Acupuncture is endorsed by the WHO and modern medical research as a proven method for pain relief. It is utilized by the U.S. Army on the battlefield for pain relief and post-traumatic stress, recommended by numerous U.S. drug courts in the treatment of addiction, as well as aids in the healing of a host of additional health issues and disorders.

•     Safer alternatives.
Natural remedies including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, botanical medicines, and homeopathic remedies, offer a safer alternative to side-effect ridden prescription regimens.

•     Reducing costs.
Acupuncture and alternative medicine offer a safer, longer lasting, more cost effective approach to health issues than prescription medication, treating the whole body – the primary condition – rather than symptoms alone. Over 20 states offer acupuncture in their employee insurance plans.

Prescription medications dragging you down? Lighten your medication load - Scottsdale naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist today!

​aturopathic medicine can help you not only with a wide range of health conditions, but in true “health care,” maintaining a healthy body to prevent disease from interrupting your life.
 
What kind of issues can Scottsdale naturopathic doctors treat?

•    Colds and flus…
Without antibiotics. Miracle? We think not!
•    Chronic fatigue…
Naturopathic doctors know how to boost your energy levels – safely!
•    Fibromyalgia and chronic pain…
Kiss those pain killers and steroids good-bye for a safer, more effective solution.
•    Digestive issues…
From IBS, Crohn’s and colitis to diarrhea, constipation, and reflux – naturopathic medicine has you covered!
•    Skin conditions…
Acne, eczema, psoriasis, and more. Clear skin without corticosteroids and antibiotics.
•    Emotional issues…
Naturopathic medicine offers hope for anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
•    Women’s health…
PMS, menstrual irregularities and pain, menopause, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, fertility issues, abnormal pap smears, and more can be remedied with Phoenix naturopathic and primary care medicine.
•    Cardiovascular issues…
Naturopathic doctors with specialized training can help you with an array of cardiovascular diseases including cholesterol issues and high blood pressure.
•    Long-term health problems…
Autoimmune conditions, diabetes, and other undiagnosed conditions can all be treated with naturopathic medicine.
•    Cancer…
Any stage of cancer treatment can benefit from the help of naturopathic medicine, from improved quality of life throughout the process of chemotherapy and radiation to improving surgical outcomes and improving your chance of remission.
•    Disease prevention…
Naturopathic medicine is more than simply sick care – it is well care! Prevent the occurrence of health issues, including inherited family illness, with the help of alternative medicine.

 Don’t see your health issue on the list? Naturopathic medicine can help! Find a naturopathic doctor near you and find out more today.

​Integrative medicine combines the best of two worlds, the conventional medical knowledge and treatment widely known in the US, and the non-conventional or holistic medical knowledge of whole-body nutrition and global health knowledge. With conventional medical methods, acute health problems can be effectively treated, but for rebuilding your body's strength and balance, you need more than just a cardiologist.
The main cause of heart attacks is atherosclerosis, a disease of the artery wall. When plaque in an artery becomes too thick, it can block blood flow, or a clot can form, causing a heart attack or stroke. Often, heart disease has no symptoms until the first heart attack. However, early screening can help identify problems and plaque build up in the arteries can be reversed.
At the same time, many cardiac patients are looking for alternatives to statin drugs such as Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor. Statins certainly help with lowering blood cholesterol, but do not do the prevention work of clearing plaque from the arteries.
Naturopathic medical treatment goes beyond treating the symptoms, and investigates the underlying imbalances that brought about the medical condition. Often, our stressful modern-day lifestyles set forth imbalances that we can change, such as diet, toxins in our system, stressors in our lives. Herbal medicines used for hundreds, even thousands of years in the Ayurvedic and Chinese Traditional Medicine systems and nutrients studied and used globally can do much to restore the body's equilibrium and its natural state of health. Such remedies for heart health may include:

• Minerals, vitamins, and nutrients such as magnesium, B vitamins, and CoQ-10 can rebuild and re-energize the cardiovascular system
• Omega-3 fatty acids can help in reversing heart damage
• Proteolytic enzymes and chelation compounds, such as  cilantro and chlorella, can clean out the coronary arteries and repair damage
• Natural substances such as hawthorn berry can help strengthen the heart
• Proper dental care and the use of a wide variety of herbal compounds can reduce the incidence of periodontal disease, which is directly related to heart health
• Nutrition can build the immune system, thereby protecting the cardiovascular system
• Regular exercise can strengthen the heart and improve its efficiency   

Our patients have found that natural therapies can have a profound effect on lessening dependence on pharmaceutical drugs, as well as giving them a greater sense of health and well-being.
We have helped patients throughout the world in this specialty so if interested in learning more, please contact our clinic  which is conveniently located in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
 

​Do you suffer from the pain of hemorrhoids or anal fissures? Perhaps you've suffered for years because you've been too embarrassed to seek treatment. Or you've been scared away from even the idea of treatment because of horror stories you've heard about having surgery to try to correct them.
Well, now you can stop suffering and eliminate your hemorrhoids or anal fissures in a natural, pain-free way. Non-surgical treatments have been around since 1860, but now they've been refined for better treatment results. 

We offer three methods of non-invasive treatment:

The Keesey method
This in-office procedure involves applying an electrical micro-current directly to the affected area. After just 8 - 12 minutes, blood flow is cut off to the hemorrhoid. Normal activities can resume immediately afterwards and the hemorrhoid disappears completely within two weeks. 

Infra-red coagulation (IRC)  
This method works well for internal hemorrhoids that are small to medium in size. An intense beam of infrared light coagulates the hemorrhoid and creates scar tissue. It's this scar tissue that cuts off the supply of blood to the hemorrhoid. New tissue then grows that helps prevent the formation of any new hemorrhoids.

Dr. Kruzel's herbal fissure cream
This specially prepared herbal cream, working in conjunction with other homeopathic medicines, decreases the amount of bleeding, alleviates pain, and facilitates the healing of anal fissures. Making dietary changes will help prevent their return. 


The naturopathic doctors at our clinic in Scottsdale can help you with other steps to take in the non-invasive treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
Just a few of these include:

• Proper diet and supplements
• Topical creams and other homeopathic remedies
• Sitz baths and correct toileting techniques

Don't live in pain or fear of surgery any longer; learn what hemorrhoid treatment options are available and change your life today!

​People often ask us, “Why choose a primary care physician who is also a naturopath?” The answer, surprisingly, isn’t as complex as one might think!
 
In many ways, the current-day relationship between traditional medicine and naturopathy has never been more compatible. For example, conventional doctors presently incorporate into their medical paradigm the idea of using certain foods to prevent diseases such as cancer, though even a mere thirty years ago this connection between food and health had not yet been fully recognized by traditional medicine.
 
So the fact is, people whose doctors have advised them to eat fruits and vegetables to guard against cancer have been given medical advice that in recent years might have been considered to be alternative medicine. Many people feel that this is only the beginning—that conventional and natural medicines will continue to become less and less at odds, until one day each will fully validate the other.
 
Certainly for our group of doctors in Arizona, that day has already arrived! At the Rockwood Natural Medicine Clinic, you’ll find our naturopaths and  primary care physicians to be a group of caring and experienced professionals who specialize in keeping an open mind—supplementing the latest treatments in conventional medicine with emerging naturopathic resources that are, more likely, the re-emergence of age-old and time-tested natural traditions.

With the expertise gained from years of experience in both styles of medicine, our team at Rockwood specializes in a blending of perspectives, a merger which we believe strengthens both sides and creates a united front against disease. Don’t hesitate to call us today to learn more about the advantages of choosing a primary care physician who is also a naturopath. Feel free, also, to visit us online at or at your convenience if you’d like more information.

You finally found the perfect complementary and alternative medicine practice – a naturopathic medicine clinic (ND). Your thrilled with your new healthcare guru, until your friend (you know, the one that has no inner “filter”) says, “A naturopathic doctor? That’s not really a doctor, is it?”
Au contraire Mon frère!

• Your naturopathic doctor is not a witch doctor.
  No magic wands. No potions. No tarot cards or magic 8 balls…
  
  
• Your naturopathic doctor has a license.
  NDs are licensed in 16 states, 2 U.S. territories, and 5 Canadian provinces. They’ve gone to real medical school and taken real board exams.
  
  
• Your licensed naturopathic doctor has had SIGNIFICANT scientific medical training.
  NDs attending accredited naturopathic medical colleges, like conventional medical colleges, need a bachelor’s degree, a competitive GPA in scientific prerequisites, complete comparable course week and training (both in subjects and hours). They learn anatomy, physiology, pathology, and biochemistry, as well as the same labs, physical exams, and medical imaging taught in other medical schools.
  
  
• Your naturopathic doctor is licensed to treat a variety of conditions.
  Depending on the state, NDs are licensed to offer everything from dietary advice to pharmaceuticals – they can even suture your wounds!
  
  
• Your naturopathic doctor could prescribe prescription medications, but probably won’t except as a last resort.
  They have better tools in their arsenal, favouring natural and low-force intervention such as dietary changes, exercise, supplements, herbs, and homeopathy.
  
  
• Your naturopathic doctor is not against “conventional” medicine.
  Naturopathic doctors understand that health care is best provided by a team. Specialists and other medical providers are necessary for many conditions outside their scope, such as emergency situations, surgeries, and cardiology.

So your friends not in the know – give them the 4-1-1. If they’re not hearing it, it’s their loss. Naturopathic medicine is real, and it works. The proof: it’s increasingly becoming more “conventional” every day. Ignore your filter-less friend, and stay the course. You’ll be well on your way to health, and they’ll be rethinking their preconceived notions as they watch you flourish.