About Jessica Shoemaker BS, ND               Medical Training
     Definition of Naturopathic Medicine            Treatment Modalities
     Principles of Naturopathic Medicine           Commonly Seen Ailments
     Articles by Dr. Jessica                                 Easy ND Recipes – Enjoy!
     ADULT / PEDIATRIC INTAKE FORMS           Testimonials
    
     To Make an Appointment
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Welcome to Naturopathic Medicine...
in Pennsylvania

For Individuals Seeking…
A refreshing natural perspective on health, wellness and disease prevention. 

If you are a seasoned veteran of natural medicine, or if this is your first introduction to Naturopathic Medicine, I invite you to explore the inner wisdom of your body, mind and spirit and let it guide you to pursuing natural, non-toxic supportive therapies to address dis-ease and achieve optimal health! 

Jessica Shoemaker, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
One of only twenty medically trained Naturopaths in the state of Pennsylvania.

Jessica Shoemaker, BS, ND utilizes a combination of modalities to design individualized wellness programs, remove underlying causes of dis-ease and promote optimal wellness through natural medicine.

Dr. Shoemaker’s Modalities include Clinical Nutrition Dietary Supplementation Botanical Medicine Lifestyle Modification Homeopathy Hydrotherapy

                  “The doctor of the future will offer no medicine,
            but will interest his patients in the care of human frame,
               in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
                                                                  -Thomas Edison        
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                 About Jessica Shoemaker, BS, ND

Jessica Shoemaker, BS, ND holds a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine degree from The National College of Naturopathic Medicine, a four-year accredited post-graduate Naturopathic Medical School in Portland, Oregon where she graduated with highest honors.  She currently maintains an Oregon medical license and is one of only twenty license eligible naturopaths in Pennsylvania.  She is a member of The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and The Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Jessica Shoemaker, BS, ND’s practice of naturopathic medicine focuses not only on the physical body but also the mental/emotional, environmental and spiritual spheres of an individual.  She strives along with her patients to find their underlying cause(s) of disease and to remove their obstacles to cure, thereby allowing their body to resume its dynamic ability to find homeostasis and optimal health.  Jessica focuses on prevention of dis-ease and maintenance of wellness once achieved.

Jessica Shoemaker, BS, ND has returned to her hometown in South Central Pennsylvania to offer her expertise in alternative and complementary medicine.  Her passion is not only to design individual wellness programs for her clients but also to work with conventional healthcare practitioners providing co-treatment to patients who are already under care.
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Definition of Naturopathic Medicine “Naturopathic medicine blends centuries-old natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health and human systems, covering all aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care.” The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians

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                Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

First, Do No Harm encompasses three precepts:  utilize modalities that minimize the risk of harmful side effects, avoid harmful suppression of symptoms and respect the innate ability of each individual to make health decisions in tune with their own self-healing process.
 

The Healing Power of Nature acknowledges the innate wisdom in nature, including the human spirit to facilitate and direct its own recovery and healing processes.  The role of the naturopath is to identify and remove obstacles to this curative path.

Identify and Treat the Cause directs the naturopath to recognize and remove underlying susceptibilities and causes of illness instead of simply addressing symptoms.

Doctor as Teacher, my favorite principle, incorporates education about disease and health to each and every patient while encouraging self-responsibility for their health.  This often represents much of the extended time (one hour, plus) naturopaths spend with each person on their individualized needs.

Treat the Whole Person addresses not only the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of health but also the genetic, social and environmental factors influencing our lives.

Prevention, ok another favorite, addresses heredity, potential risk factors, and susceptibility to disease thereby allowing proper interventions before dis-ease or complications of disease set in.

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             How is a Naturopathic Practitioner Trained?

Naturopathic Practitioners receive a four-year, graduate level medical degree.  The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree (ND) is awarded after classroom, clinical and practical study.  NDs receive training in the following medical sciences:

         Anatomy                     Cardiology                     Physiology
         Pediatrics                    Biochemistry                   Radiology
         Pathology                    Minor Surgery                Microbiology
         Obstetrics                   Immunology                    Gynecology
         Pharmacology             Neurology                       Dermatology
         Geriatrics                    Lab diagnosis                  Women’s Health
         Clinical and Physical diagnosis

Throughout the four years, over 700 additional hours are spent learning unique naturopathic therapeutics including clinical nutrition, dietary supplementation, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy and natural childbirth.

Presently, there are four medical colleges accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) in North America.

        National College of Naturopathic Medicine

                   www.ncnm.edu
        Bastyr University 

                   www.bastyr.edu          

        Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences

                   www.scnm.edu

        University of Bridgeport College of Natural Medicine

                   www.bridgeport.edu  
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                 Naturopathic Treatment Modalities

Clinical Nutrition
Naturopathic practitioners understand that what we choose to eat directly influences every outcome of our health.  Without adequate nutrition, we cannot function properly.  The cells of our bodies require energy and raw materials to work at optimal levels.  The body’s biochemistry is delicately balanced and thrives on key nutrients, antioxidant rich and toxin-free foods.  Clinical nutrition is the practice of using what we eat to enhance our health, reverse disease and heal pathology.  Many medical conditions can be treated effectively with nutrition while avoiding the complications and side effects of drug therapies.  Nutritional treatments are customized to the individual’s needs and health circumstances.  Literally, “we are what we eat”!

Dietary supplements
Not only can inadequate nutrition lead to disease, but also certain disease processes can wear on the body and create deficiencies, which lead to further disease.  Naturopathic practitioners use vitamins, minerals, enzymes, cofactors, trace elements, and other key biochemical constituent’s to replace deficiencies and strengthen vitality in order to support the innate healing wisdom of the body.  Once these essential nutrients and healing constituents are replaced, the body will remember the balance of health and heal itself!

Botanical medicine
Plants have tremendous healing abilities!  Plant medicines bolster the immune system, speed wound healing time, calm inflammation, enhance mood, aid digestion, improve cardiovascular health and regulate blood glucose levels, to name a few.  Many pharmaceutical drugs have their origins in plant medicine.  Naturopathic practitioners use blended teas, liquid herbal extracts and tinctures, tablets, encapsulations, salves and poultices to treat a myriad of health imbalances. Naturopaths use botanical medicine to rebalance your “out of balance” nervous system, mental/emotional sphere and endocrine system to help achieve optimal health and well being.

Lifestyle modifications
If you are currently living with dis-ease, interested in preventing disease that you and your family might be at risk for or are wondering how to age healthfully, modification to your lifestyle can get you back on course.  This is one area in your life you are solely in charge of.  Naturopathic practitioners recommend specific dietary changes, stress management techniques, physical exercise, and necessary modifications to a toxic environment in order to remove possible obstacles to cure.  Exchanging disease-promoting habits for healthy ones isn’t always easy, but the results can significantly improve your health.  Naturopathic practitioners become health coaches in this sense and work along side you to offer education, support and congratulations as needed.

Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a very rigorous system of natural medicine, homeopathy appreciates that within each person there is an innate healing power that can help restore health - not simply alleviate or suppress symptoms. This healing power is visible every day when, without any outside help, our cuts heal and our colds disappear. Homeopathy powerfully stimulates this healing process to cure illness.  Two hundred years ago the brilliant German physician Samuel Hahnemann discovered homeopathy's core truth: like cures like. Conducting extensive medical research, he learned that different natural substances given in large doses would make healthy people ill. He then proved that these same substances, specially prepared and given in small doses, would cure people who were ill with these very same symptoms. A remedy is chosen based on the current physical, mental and emotional sphere of the individual and well as their genetic predispositions. The remedy then works by augmenting the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.

Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is a treatment modality that uses water therapy to move stagnant circulation and lymphatic flow throughout the body.  When the circulation is compromised or stagnant, disease can take hold.  The application of hot water pulls blood into the area under the application bringing in fresh nutrients and immune cells, cold water pushes blood away from the area of application and helps to clear inflammation.  Naturopaths use hydrotherapy to stimulate the vital force of the body thereby stimulating the speed of the healing process of common illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, broken bones and skin ulcers.

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What Ailments Do Naturopathic Practitioners Address?
    
Medically trained naturopathic practitioners address any disease from head to toe of any person of any age.  Jessica Shoemaker, BS, ND concentrates on the underlying cause(s) of dis-ease and works with you to get to the root of the problem instead of just covering up symptoms.  Jessica Shoemaker BS, ND has the expertise to assess the need for appropriate referrals.  Common ailments addressed are:

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To Make an Appointment

Please Call The Family Wellness Center at Briarsdale
(717) 558-8500 Ext. 2  
Fax: (717) 558-8567

Prior to first visit

Naturopathic Intake Forms: ADULT & PEDIATRIC.  Please print them, fill them out completely & mail them to us well in advance of your appointment.

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Helpful  Links
    
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians - www.naturopathic.org
The Pennsylvania Association of Naturopathic Physicians - www.panp.org
The National College of Naturopathic Medicine - www.ncnm.edu
Bastyr University  www.bastyr.edu
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences  www.scnm.edu
University of Bridgeport College of Natural Medicine  www.bridgeport.edu