FAQS

Why would you see a Naturopathic Doctor?

1. We believe that you deserve to be treated with compassion and respect. Visiting the doctor’s office when you’re feeling unwell can feel intimidating and vulnerable. As Naturopathic Doctors, our goal is to foster a warm, supportive environment where you feel truly cared for. We prioritize building meaningful relationships with our patients, grounded in genuine concern and mutual trust, rather than treating you as just another case or inconvenience.

2. You want more time with your practitioner: When you have an appointment with a Naturopath they will take the time to get to know you, to address all of your  concerns and answer all of your questions. Most initial appointments are scheduled for one full hour and follow up appointments are usually 30 minutes. This ensures thorough care and not just symptom management.

3. You want a holistic provider who understands the role of diet in health and disease:  Many times people suspect that what they are eating is effecting how they feel but their medical doctors offer little guidance or deny any association. What you eat and put into your body every day has a direct effect on your health. US qualified Naturopathic doctors have extensive training in clinical nutrition. Whether it is optimizing nutrition, identifying hidden food allergies, or modifying diet for weight or specific health concerns, Naturopathic Doctors can offer comprehensive dietary recommendations that are tailored to your individual needs.

4. You’re tired of relying on medications to just manage your symptoms: Prescription drugs often only mask symptoms rather than addressing the root cause of the problem. This can lead to a cycle of taking multiple medications for different issues, along with additional drugs to handle side effects. Naturopathic physicians focus on discovering the underlying cause of health concerns, allowing your body to heal naturally. This approach not only helps you feel better but promotes real, lasting improvement in your health.

5.     You want professional expertise on which supplements to take:  Many people self treat. They go to the health food store and buy remedies that may or may not be safe or effective for their condition. It can also be overwhelming to sort through all of the options available these days. When you work with a Naturopathic doctor you are receiving a physician’s level expertise in science and natural therapies. This assures that the supplements taken are specific to your body’s needs and in the proper dosage. This can also save you a lot of money from purchasing poor quality products that won’t actually benefit you.

6.     You prefer to do things the natural way:  You already pay attention to eating healthy organic foods, using eco-friendly products, you prefer living more natural lifestyle. Why should your healthcare be any different? It is possible to be properly evaluated and treated without having to put anything toxic in your body or compromise your philosophy.

7.     You’ve done everything your MD suggests but you still don’t feel well:  Often there are instances where conventional medicine has failed or has limited treatment options. This is common when treating patients suffering from fatigue, anxiety, migraines and other pain conditions, just to name a few. Naturopathic doctors can offer alternative options in these cases that can work with or in lieu of conventional medicine to help the body heal. Its time to put aside the pharmaceutical based protocols and find out what you need to feel like yourself again.

8.  You want to prevent genetic diseases: Preventing illness or early detection and interventions are much easier and more cost effective than waiting to treat the disease. There are many approaches to preventing diseases that do not include drugs or surgery. With advances in genetic testing many people are becoming fearful about illnesses they are predisposed to. Qualified naturopathic doctors can help navigate genetic predispositions and work with your specific needs to optimize your health to avoid repeating the “family histories” of illness.

9. You want health care that doesn’t come with side effects:  Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean its safe. However when natural therapies are prescribed properly there is very little risk of side effects because they are geared toward correcting a problem not forcing the body to shut off symptoms. Conversely, there is not a single prescription or over the counter drug that does not come with a list of potential side effects. Often times they can be worse than the initial problem. Many times it’s not worth the risk but you don’t know what else to do. Its time to consult with a qualified Naturopathic Doctor. 

How are naturopathic doctors educated, trained, and licensed in the United States ?

Accredited naturopathic medical schools in the US and Cannada are four-year, in-residence, hands on medical programs consisting of a minimum of 4,100 hours of class and clinical training. During naturopathic medical school, students are educated in the biomedical sciences as well as the latest advances in science in combination with natural approaches to therapy. They also study disease
prevention and clinical techniques. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, schools require their graduates to complete four years of training in disciplines such as clinical nutrition,
acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine, and counseling. For at least the final two years of their medical program, naturopathic medical students intern in clinical settings under the close supervision of licensed professionals. Given the importance of hands-on, clinical experience for naturopathic medical students, the accrediting body for naturopathic medical colleges does not recognize degrees from online programs of study.

Do note that Singapore is not regulated for Naturopathic medicine and hence it would be important to know that the terms ‘naturopath’, ‘naturopathic doctors’ that are used interchangeably often by public.

Be aware that while the terms may be used interchangeably, they are not the same. As a patient/consumer, you should also know that the terms “naturopathic doctor“ naturopathic physician” and “naturopath”, “functional practitioners” are often used interchangeably by medical practitioners in other disciplines and the public, even though some practitioners do not have the same training or privileges.

Although there may be great practitioners out there, knowing the difference between licensed naturopathic doctors who have undergone formal medical training and unlicensed naturopaths or health coach can help you make informed decisions about which type of provider can best help you. For more information on how naturopathic doctors are educated, trained, and licensed in the US, visit https://naturopathic.org/page/FAQ

It is also important to note that, Unlike the US/ Cannada, Naturopathic services in Singapore fall under Alternative and complementary medicine. It does not fall under Health service Act Singapore – Medical/ dental.

What is Dr Kamat’s general approach or ‘style’?

As a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Kamat’s primary approach will always be to find the “root cause” of illness, find and remove obstacles to healing and support the body’s innate healing ability.  She is a big fan of the diagnostic tools used by the conventional health care system, and prefers to “find out” instead of “assume” whenever possible.  Due to MOH regulations in Singapore, she cannot order any conventional labs in Singapore but will recommend the necessary through other providers.

Her training includes a rich blend of conventional medical science and traditional holistic, preventive approaches. She fully embraces all approaches to healthcare and views them as part of a continum. She always tries to find both the most efficient and gentlest, most natural options for bringing the body back to true balance.  

Dr. Kamat’s hybrid approach is thorough and science based, but also whole body / systems oriented and focuses on natural ways to support the body’s own healing processes.

What advanced nutrition training do naturopathic doctors receive?

Many health symptoms and conditions have nutrition at
the root of the issue.

• NDs’ rigorous nutrition training + understanding of food as medicine enables them to provide individualized nutrition guidance.
• NDs utilize evidence-based nutritional recommendations.
• NDs complete ~155 classroom hours of nutrition education during medical school.
• Areas of concentration include: macronutrients, micronutrients, dietary assessments, diet types, food attitudes, cultures, socioeconomics, clinical nutrition, diet and nutrient therapy, supplement -drug interaction, and nutrition technology.
• NDs take the time to investigate and incorporate whole-body factors to individualize nutrition.
  These include: family life, finances, time, personal preferences and more.
  Read more here https://cdn.ymaws.com/naturopathic.org/resource/resmgr/documents/faq/faq18-nutritiontraining.pdf

Safety and Efficacy: Is naturopathic care safe?

1. Numerous research studies of naturopathic treatments for common conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic low back pain, and anxiety have shown that naturopathic
   medicine is both safe and effective .
2. Licensed NDs complete a rigorous, four-year, in residence, science-based, post-graduate medical
   education at an accredited naturopathic medical school ( only in US and Cannada)
3. Medical malpractice insurance rates for naturopathic doctors are among the lowest of any medical services provider.
4. Few treatments are 100% safe, but some are safer than others.

For more, read here https://cdn.ymaws.com/naturopathic.org/resource/resmgr/documents/faq/faq12-isnmsafe.pdf

What are the treatment modalities used?

Naturopathic treatments are holistic in nature and are selected to treat the individual’s presenting condition, taking into consideration particular symptoms and overall health status.  The body of knowledge that underlies the treatments provided by Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) incorporates both traditional knowledge and the latest advances in medical science.  NDs are trained in the integration of the following tools briefly described below:

Clinical Nutrition and targetted Nutrient therapy

This is the cornerstone of naturopathic practice, which examines the relationship between nutrition and wellness.  More than ever before, we are recognizing that inadequacies in the nutritional content we are consuming is resulting in disease.  Naturopathic application of clinical nutrition involves the use of nutritional substances for the prevention and treatment of disease, as well as the correction of dietary inadequacies for the promotion of wellness.

Botanical/Herbs

Plant substances have been utilized safely and effectively for centuries in the prevention and treatment of disease.  Their clinical uses and effects are described in detail in traditional literature dating back to the beginnings of civilization demonstrating the safe and effective use of many botanical medicines over generations.  They are the foundation upon which modern pharmacology is based on, and the foundation upon which new scientific research is being explored.  Though “natural”, botanical medicines also have pharmacological properties that necessitate their appropriate use by a trained healthcare provider.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy was originally developed during the 18th century by German physician Dr. Samuel Hahnemann and is widely used throughout the world.  It is based on the principle of “like cures like” whereby minute amounts of substances prepared and prescribed according to strict homeopathic principles are used to evoke a physiological and/or psychological response to stimulate the innate self-healing abilities of the body.  The practice of homeopathy includes a unique and detailed method of case taking and analysis, and an in-depth knowledge of homeopathic materia medica (remedies).

Physical Therapy or Mechanotherapy

Mechanotherapy, or hands-on therapy, includes mobilization of the joints of the spine and extremities, as well as other physical and mechanical techniques applied to connective tissue.  This modality has been part of naturopathic medicine since the turn of the century and is used in conjunction with one or more naturopathic modalities.  Naturopathy has traditionally utilized a wide variety of physical modalities for the treatment of pain and to stimulate circulation and healing.  These may include heat/cold, light, infrared, electrical pulsation, therapeutic ultrasound, diathermy, cold laser, hydrotherapy,  massage and exercise.  This modality has limited scope in Singapore due to MOH regulations. Hence we refer out patients to respective providers.

Lifestyle Counselling, Modification and Public Health

A tenet of naturopathic medicine is that emotional health and physical health are interdependent.  Naturopathic practice includes the integrated use of counseling techniques along with stress management and biofeedback when indicated.  Contamination of food, water or the local environment, and extremes in diet can cause a significant risk for the patient.  NDs are trained to help patients make informed choices to reach and maintain optimal health in response to the physical, emotional, nutritional and environmental factors that affect well-being.

 Are my visits covered under insurance ?

Having a naturopathic provider on your health team can prevent chronic illness and reduce health care costs in the long term. However, the landscape of insurance in Singapore can be tricky and complicated. Do check with your provider beforehand if naturopathic visits can be claimed. Often homeopathy visits may be covered, in other instances, homeopathy consults through a naturopathic physician may not be covered ( although homeopathy is one of the modalities under naturopathic medicine), It will depend largely on the policies you have. We can help with any documentation if necessary.

https://naturopathic.org/page/FAQ