Why Naturopathic Medicine is Your Best First Step for Preventative Care and Health Maintenance.

by Dr. Nicole Priscal, ND

Read Dr. Nicole's Bio

Why see a Naturopath?

Growing up, I appreciated the deep connection between food and health. What I began to notice, however, was that conventional medicine often lacked meaningful education or emphasis on herbs, nutrition, and supplements. While it excels in acute and emergency care, there is often less time spent addressing the foundations of health.

As a naturopathic doctor trained as a primary care physician, I quickly realized that I didn’t want to spend the majority of my visits simply managing symptoms. I became a naturopath because I am passionate about teaching lifestyle medicine and helping patients prevent the chronic diseases that can diminish quality of life.

Supporting Your Body’s Healing Process

My goal is to understand your symptoms and support your body’s natural healing process. True healing starts with understanding the connections within the body, especially the powerful relationship between digestion and the nervous system.

We work together to build body awareness. This means becoming more attuned to:

• Digestion

• Sleep quality

• Energy levels

• Mental clarity and focus

When you understand these signals, you can respond before small imbalances become chronic conditions.

Your Body Is Like a Car

I often compare the body to a car. Many people drive their cars daily without fully understanding how they work, until a warning light turns on.

Your body has its own “check engine lights”:

• Fatigue

• Bloating

• Brain fog

• Mood changes

• Poor sleep

If ignored, these warning signs can eventually lead to more serious, chronic conditions. No one wants to replace an engine or transmission when simple, consistent maintenance could have prevented the damage.

The same principle applies to your health. Preventative care costs less (physically, emotionally, and financially) than managing advanced disease.

Most people see their primary care physician once or twice a year. As a naturopath, I prefer to meet with patients several times throughout the year to stay focused on their goals and make thoughtful adjustments. Healing takes time. So does building sustainable eating habits, exercise routines, and lifestyle changes.

Naturopathic medicine is rooted in prevention and longevity.

What Makes Naturopathic Medicine Different?

Naturopathic doctors receive extensive medical training in addition to advanced education in:

• Clinical nutrition

• Herbal medicine

• Lifestyle medicine

• Preventative care

During visits, education is central. I want you to understand how your body works so you can confidently care for your mind and body between appointments.

Nutrition and herbal medicine are foundational tools in my treatment plans. These therapies help address root causes, support vitality, and prevent disease progression.

We also utilize blood work to assess:

• Nutrient deficiencies

• Endocrine function

• Metabolic health

Rather than simply looking for disease, we evaluate patterns and early imbalances. Standard laboratory reference ranges are often based on populations that are already unwell. From a preventative lens, we look for optimal ranges and not just “normal.”

The Bigger Picture

Health is not just the absence of disease. It’s resilience, vitality, and the ability to live fully.

Naturopathic medicine empowers you to understand your body, respond to its signals, and build habits that support long-term wellness. My role is to guide, educate, and partner with you on that journey.Your health isn’t something to wait on until something breaks, it’s something to maintain, nurture, and invest in every day. 

I hope that you will join me to explore deeper into what may be holding you back from feeling your absolute best, because you deserve it!