Naturopathic Medicine Explained: My Journey from Lyme Patient to Scottsdale Doctor
Have you ever wondered what *really* sets naturopathic medicine apart from conventional approaches?
Or how someone goes from teaching art to treating complex conditions like Lyme disease?
I recently shared my unconventional path to naturopathic medicine, what it means to truly heal, and a bit about my practice, Summer Sun Integrative, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, on the Healing Thru Holistic Podcast by Papaya Wellness.
In this post, I’d like to expand on some of the key points we discussed in the podcast in the hope that you’ll gain a better understanding of naturopathic medicine and the profound healing that’s possible.
Inside this post:
What is Naturopathic Medicine? What Makes it Unique?
Dr. Gettman’s Unconventional Path: From Art Teacher to Naturopathic Doctor
Debunking Common Myths About Naturopathic Medicine
What is Naturopathic Medicine? What Makes it Unique?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct healthcare profession that combines the wisdom of nature and the rigors of modern science.
We are trained as primary care providers, meaning we are equipped to diagnose, treat, and manage both acute conditions, such as the flu, ear infections, and sinus infections, as well as chronic conditions, like high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, PCOS, and others.
We address disease and dysfunction at the level of the body, mind, and spirit, meaning that our treatment takes into account the whole person.
We focus on both the management and treatment of disease but also spend a considerable amount of time and energy on preventative care.
Most importantly, our treatment approaches are:
Individualized
Evidence informed
And balance the least harmful and most effective to restore and maintain optimal health.
Dr. Gettman’s Unconventional Path: From Art Teacher to Naturopathic Doctor
Like many in naturopathic medicine, my path was sparked by personal experience. I struggled with Lyme Disease and used naturopathic medicine to get into remission. Right after I got into remission, my mother was diagnosed with brain cancer. Our experiences with the medical system couldn’t have been more different. She spent most of her treatment days in a windowless hospital room, and I had a doctor who was always on call for me.
However, the pivotal defining moment came for me when I was teaching art at a charter school. One day, a kindergartner walked into my classroom and loudly proclaimed that she couldn’t do art. When I asked her why, she opened her mouth to reveal a cavity the size of my thumb. It was truly a cinematic moment; the world got very quiet and everything clicked. I could see very clearly how her lack of a proper diet, health education, and access to care was preventing her from doing things that she loved.
I quietly began taking science prerequisites, as my undergraduate and master's degrees were in art and finished out the school year. I applied, was accepted, and started at naturopathic medical school the following fall.
My route was certainly unconventional—from a Bachelor of Fine Arts to a Master's in Art Education to a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. But I'm grateful for this unique background, as it informs how I approach medicine: with creativity, adaptability, and an eye for the unique patterns in each person's story.
Debunking Common Myths About Naturopathic Medicine
In my opinion, the main misconception about naturopathic medicine is that naturopathic medicine isn’t “real medicine.”
The truth about ‘real medicine’:
Naturopathic medicine has been around since the 1600s and 1700s with European doctors and was officially codified in North America in the 1900s.
In 1910, Andrew Carnegie, the steel giant, asked Abraham Flexner, a Johns Hopkins-trained scientist, to write a report about the state of medical education in America. Flexner, as a human, was deeply skeptical of anything he found to be “nonconformist.” He saw the basis of disease as purely biological and not at all related the social or psychological factors. As a result, his report became the foundation to discredit naturopathy and other CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) approaches.
The result of Flexner’s report was that:
80% of CAM schools, particularly rural midwestern schools where medicine was most needed, were forced to close.
The Carnegie and Rockefeller families funneled vast of money into allopathic medicine, which ensured it became the “gold standard.”
The schooling and training required to become a naturopathic doctor, medical doctor, or osteopathic doctor are the same.
All doctors must complete:
4 years of undergraduate education
Required pre-requisite classes such as biology, organic chemistry, introduction to psychology, etc.
Comprehensive interview process
4 years of medical school
In-house clinical exams such as OSCE’s to ensure clinical competence when working with patients
Board exams (this varies by profession)
The first two years of naturopathic medical school are nearly identical to allopathic medical school.
We complete didactic courses in:
Biochemistry
Anatomy and physiology
Genetics
Nutrition
Pharmacology and other related subjects.
In the second two years of school, we learn specific systems, including gastroenterology, gynecology, and rheumatology, among others. In addition to learning conventional treatments, such as pharmaceuticals, we also learn naturopathic treatment modalities, including homeopathy, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, IV therapy, supplementation, and more. Likewise, we have elective credits that can be used to dive deeper into subjects like mental health, NET, EFT, hypnosis, and more.
Overall, our training encompasses 4,100 hours, of which 1200 hours are clinical in nature. All naturopathic medical schools are accredited by the US Department of Education, and eligible graduates sit for board exams that grant individual state licensure. Each state with naturopathic licensure has a varying scope of practice; however, in states like Arizona, Vermont, and Washington, DC, we have the ability to order labs and imaging and write prescriptions, amongst other privileges.
Listen to the Full Conversation With Dr. Gettman:
To hear the other main misconceptions and other insights about naturopathic medicine, check out the podcast!
Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts:
Looking for Naturopathic Care in Scottsdale?
If you're struggling with burnout, Lyme disease, hormonal, or other chronic health challenges, I'd love to help. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation here to see if we're a good fit for your health journey.
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Please note that this post is for informational purposes only, is not medical advice, and does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship. Please speak to your physician before implementing any changes related to your health.
