Naturopathic medicine offers patient-centered care and meets the growing consumer demand for safe, natural, effective, and personalized health solutions. Uniting the best of modern medicine and the ancient wisdom of natural therapeutics, Naturopathic doctors are trained in the art and science of both natural and conventional medicine.

• The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in people that is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.

• Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam): The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

• First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient:
o Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat.
o Avoid when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.
o Acknowledge, respect, and work with individuals’ self-healing process.

• Doctor as Teacher (Docere): Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

• Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by considering individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.

• Prevention: Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and by making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.

Licensed Naturopathic Doctors attend a four-year accredited medical school and are trained as primary care providers. Naturopathic doctors are educated in the same biomedical sciences as in conventional medical school including anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology in conjunction with physical, clinical, and laboratory diagnosis. The last two years of medical school all medical students continue their training in conventional medical fields such as cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, gynecology, neurology, dermatology, pediatrics and pharmacology. In addition, students are required to complete a two-year internship under close supervision of licensed doctors (NDs, MDs, and DOs) seeing patients in a clinical setting. It is here that Naturopathic medical students learn an integrative approach to medicine, with a special focus in preventative medicine and natural therapeutics.

Once graduation requirements are completed, the student has earned their Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree. Graduates then sit for a professional board exam to become licensed as general practice naturopathic doctors within licensed states or as individual states allow.

Naturopathic doctors are not currently required to complete a residency, as there are very few and it is very competitive. Those that are accepted to a residency gain additional clinical experience and expertise.

For more information click on the following link: Naturopathic Medicine FAQs.

Your initial visit includes a comprehensive discussion (typically 1.5–2.0 hrs.) to learn more about you and your health concerns. At this visit, we will review your health history, new patient paperwork, and perform any pertinent physical exams (examples: listen to your heart and lungs, perform an abdominal exam, measure your blood pressure, examine your ears, nose, and throat, etc.). We will then make specific recommendations regarding any relevant specialized diagnostic/laboratory testing, imaging, bloodwork, and treatment options, such as homeopathy, clinical nutrition, herbal remedies, and any other pertinent treatments. It is also helpful to bring to your appointment any recent bloodwork, imaging, and any other recent laboratory/test results, if you have them.

If homeopathy is recommended, we will have you return for a dedicated homeopathic intake (typically 1.5-2.0 hours), where we will build upon what we learned about you at your initial visit, involving an in-depth examination of your symptoms and what makes your situation unique. We will then prescribe a homeopathic medicine at the end of your visit, along with specific recommendations.

Regularly scheduled follow up visits are very important in your journey towards optimal health. These visits typically range from 30-60 minutes in duration, where we check-in with how you are doing, and adjust your individualized treatment plan as needed. For chronic conditions, follow up visits are typically once per month until a certain level of improvement is achieved and then follow up visits become less frequent over time, with the end goal of completely resolving your health concerns.

Yes, Dr. Marier treats a variety of acute conditions, such as the common cold, flu, ear infections, sore throat, diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and more, without the use of antibiotics or other pharmaceuticals. She also has the experience and knowledge to refer to other medical professionals when necessary.

Acute conditions, such as a cold or flu typically notice improvements within a few hours or days of treatment. Chronic conditions generally see improvements within the first several weeks, and sometimes faster. The timeline of improvement can vary significantly from person to person depending on your current state of overall health, the diagnosis, how long you’ve had the disease, and where you currently land regarding disease progression.

Payment is due in full at the time of service. In short, Naturopathic doctors in the state of Minnesota cannot except insurance due to the current law in Minnesota.

The state of Minnesota does not currently require insurance companies to allow in network coverage of naturopathic services, nor is there any law requiring insurance companies to cover naturopathic medicine. However, some insurance plans, such as PPO plans may reimburse for naturopathic office visits. You will receive a superbill at the end of each visit that includes CPT and diagnosis codes that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.

A Health Savings Account (HAS) is a medical saving account that allows you to save money in a tax-free account and often covers naturopathic services. HSAs are a great way to pay for laboratory testing and prescribed natural medicines.

If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) from your employer this can help to cover naturopathic medical expenses.

Other Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA, VEBA, MERP, etc.) are employer funded health benefit plans that can be used for reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses. They can only be used to pay medical expenses like an FSA account.

Naturopathic doctors are licensed and regulated differently depending on the state. For example, Dr. Marier is trained in the use of pharmaceuticals, minor surgery, acupuncture, IV therapy and therapeutic injections, but currently resides in Minnesota where she may not use these therapies in her practice. If you’d like to take action to support Naturopathic medicine in your state, click here (). In addition, NDs in states that have a broader scope of practice often allow NDs to accept health insurance, Minnesota does not allow this practice.

To take action and help NDs expand their scope of practice in Minnesota click here: Naturopathic.org