Licensed vs. Unlicensed...What's the difference?

Licensed naturopathic doctors such as Dr. Takashima are primary care physicians who are also highly skilled in natural treatments. They are trained and licensed to diagnose and treat conditions and diseases independent of a medical doctor. They can order blood work, diagnose and conduct physical exams including paps and prostate exams, and can prescribe natural compounded pharmacy such as bio-identical hormones, thyroid, testosterones, glutathione etc. Not only they can use conventional diagnostic method, they are capable of ordering high quality, professional strength natural remedies which are only sold to licensed practitioners, diagnostic tests such as comprehensive diagnostic stool analysis test, hormonal saliva tests, neurotransmitter test, amino acid test, food allergy test and 24 hour urine heavy metal test.

Requirement

In order to be licensed as a naturopathic doctor in California, NDs must graduate from a school accredited by the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education that offers a graduate degree of Doctor of Naturopathy or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. ND license candidates must also pass a national board licensing exam that is administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. Unlike some other holistic doctors or practitioners who just attended weekend seminars or attended non-accredited schools, NDs has to meet the education requirements of at least 4,100 hours of training, of which not less than 2,500 hours are academic training and not less than 1,200 hours are supervised clinical training using naturopathic philosophy and treatments.

Dr. Takashima's Experience

Before Dr. Takashima opens up her own practice, she saw wide range of people and conditions at Bastyr Center for Natural Health and learned cutting edge most effective method of natural medicines. She also worked at specialized shift such as ADD/ADHD Autism shift, Environmental medicine shift, Homeopathy shift, Counseling shift, Physical Medicine shift, Cancer treatment center, senior center and homeless women’s facility. She had the privilege to learn from well-known naturopathic doctors who has been successful and has been practicing for more than 20 years and being passed on their valuable knowledge. For example, Dr. Takashima learned from Josseph Pizzorno who is a co-founder of Bastyr University, author of “Textbook of Natural Medicines”, Jane Guiltinan who was also former president of American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and Bill Mitchell who is a renown botanical educator, co-founder of Bastyr university and an author of “Plant Medicine and Practice”, during her time as a student at Bastyr University.

Updating skills and knoledge

Licensed naturopathic doctors can attend high level seminars only for licensed naturopathic doctors after being licensed and continue to update cutting-edge naturopathic medicines’ knowledge. Unfortunately there are cases where people are not licensed. They cannot be referred to as naturopathic doctor or physician.

Summery of the difference:

·Diagnose
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Can order and interpret blood work or diagnostic tests
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Physical exams such as pap or prostate exam
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Can understand both conventional medicine and natural medicines
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Graduated from accredited schools
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Can prescribe customized compounding hormones such as estrogens, progesterone’s, testosterone
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Completed intensive more than 2 years of extensive clinical naturopathic experiences at accredited naturopathic schools
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Ensured quality of service: Passed a national board licensing exam for basic science, clinical science, naturopathic treatments including botanical (herbal) medicines, homeopathic medicines, physical medicines, nutrition, counseling
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Capable of ordering high quality, professional strength natural remedies
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Diagnostic stool analysis test, hormonal saliva tests, food allergy test, neurotransmitter test, amino acid test and 24 hour urine heavy metal test
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No
·Can order EKG, DEXA for osteoporosis and imaging such as x-ray, MRI
Licensed: Yes Unlicensed: No

Before making an appointment, ask them if they are licensed. Dr. Takashima is a licensed naturopathic doctor who dedicated her life to improve people’s health and life naturally and is highly trained in natural medicines.

831-920-2211

http://www.naturalholisticwellnesscenter.com/