VITAL STREAM NATUROPATHY
VITAL STREAM NATUROPATHY TM
Steven Koda, ND
© 2005-2010 Steven Koda, ND            
Informed, Compassionate Service
Informed, Compassionate Service
We have a problem ...

"It is axiomatic that medical education
should prepare students well for the clinical
problems they will face in their future
practice.  However, this is not happening
for the most prevalent problem in health
care today: chronic disease."

"Chronic disease replaced acute disease as
the dominant health problem.  Chronic
disease is now the principle cause of
disability and use of health services and
consumes 78% of health expenditures."

Holman H JAMA 2004; 292: 1057-1059.  
    A. The patient’s story
    1. Actively listen to the patient’s history of their present condition, how it is impacting their life, and their sense of
    what may have caused or be aggravating the problem.
    2. Investigate:  Collect medical records, questionnaire answers and interview the patient to review and
    investigate                              
                           i.   body system symptomology,
                            ii.  past medical history,
                            iii. family health history,
                            iv. dietary history,
                            v.  medication and supplement history,
                            vi.  social history,
                            vii. lifestyle history,
                            viii. environmental exposure history.
    3.  Objective testing: physical examination, functional testing, laboratory testing, imaging.

    B. Assessment
    1. Identify predisposing factors and trigger events.
    2. Evaluate areas of imbalance from among the following:
                           a. Immune and inflammation processes
                            b. Digestion and absorption
              c. Detoxification and biotransformation
                           d. Hormones and neurotransmitters
                            e. Structure and membranes
                            f. Homeostatic energy processes
                            g. Mind-body integration
    3. Evaluate the influence of the following on the areas of imbalance:
               a. Nutrition status
               b. Exercise
               c. Relationships
               d. Belief system
               e. Self care
               f.  Living environment - home and work

    C. Education and intervention:  During the healing process, the patient is being educated about their body, their risk factors,
    predisposing factors, and triggers.  Any one or more of the following modalities may be recommended to remove the
    imbalances and restore the body to health and wellbeing.  The specific modalities are recommended based upon the
    naturopathic therapeutic order, the principles of naturopathic medicine, and the patient’s condition, constitution and mind
    set.  Referral to specialists and licensed providers is common for modalities beyond the doctor's scope of practice.

                   1. Personalized dietary modifications
                   2. Nutritional support (e.g., vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids)
                   3. Nutrient therapy (e.g., therapeutic doses of specific nutrients via oral, IM, or IV - as permitted by law.)
                   4. Herbology (Botanical medicine, phytonutrients)
                   5. Homeopathy
                   6. Manual Manipulative therapy (structural alignment, neuromuscular integration)
                   7. Nature cure (e.g., cold, heat, water, purified air, peat, magnetism, electrostimulus, ultrasound, light)
                   8. Movement (e.g., yoga, qi gong, aerobic exercise, non-aerobic exercise)
                   9. Counseling and coaching
                   10. Suggestion (biofeedback, visualization, intent/prayer, trance work)
                   11. Energy psychology (EFT, TFT, EMDR)
                   12. Acupuncture
                   13. Pharmaceutical substances
                   14. Compounded, personalized medicant
                   15. Surgery
  • Active listening: Chronic conditions arise due to physiological imbalances.  
    Various genetic permutations, lifestyle habits, dietary factors and metabolic
    disruptors (e.g., toxins, viruses) may predispose a person to certain conditions
    or trigger such conditions.  The naturopathic doctor listens to the patient and
    collects information to identify these predisposing factors and trigger events.

  • Investigation: The naturopathic doctor investigates physiological function to
    identify mediators that may be involved in activating, prolonging or aggravating
    a condition.  

  • Assessment: The naturopathic doctor identifies areas of imbalance and
    assesses how diet, nutrition, and lifestyle may contribute to the imbalances.

  • Education and Intervention: From the premise that the body is a whole system
    in which an imbalance may have impact to various bodily processes and
    anatomy, the naturopathic doctor identifies a holistic strategy and works with
    the patient to support physiological processes, re-establishing balance so that
    healing, vitality and wellbeing may occur.
Model of Naturopathic Care ***
*** The naturopathic doctor's approach to healing and the model of naturopathic care described on this page are provided for informational purposes to
educate the public about the philosophy of naturopathic practice.  The actual approach practiced by Dr. Koda will differ to comply with state law. ***
What is the Naturopathic Doctor’s Approach to Healing and Patient Care?  ***