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Randall S. Bradley,
ND, DHANP
- Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
- Board Certified in Homeopathy
- State Licensed Naturopathic Physician
- State Licensed Mental Health
Practitioner
- State Licensed Medical Nutrition
Therapist
DR. RANDALL S. BRADLEY
Randall S. Bradley, ND, DHANP, CCH received his undergraduate
premedical degree in human biology and his Doctor of
Naturopathic Medicine (ND) from the National
College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. In
1982 he completed a post-graduate residency program in
homeopathy at Bastyr
University in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Bradley is currently
licensed as a naturopathic physician in the State of Washington.
In Nebraska, he is licensed as a mental health practitioner and
a medical nutrition therapist. His specialty is homeopathy and
he is board certified by the Homeopathic
Academy of Naturopathic Physicians (DHANP) and the Council
for Homeopathic Certification (CCH).
NATUROPATHIC MEDICAL EDUCATION
The Council on Naturopathic
Medical Education (CNME) is the federally recognized
accrediting agency for naturopathic education. CNME accredited
naturopathic medical colleges require the same premedical
prerequisites as other types of medical schools and provide four
years of graduate level medical training. The programs include
intensive training in the basic, clinical and diagnostic
sciences and naturopathic therapeutics, as well as two years of
supervised clinical internship. Graduates receive an N.D. and
after passing a rigorous national board examination they become
licensed naturopathic physicians. There are now naturopathic
licensure laws in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut,
Kansas, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington, as
well as Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico.
Naturopaths also practice in other states under other laws
(i.e., as licensed acupuncturists or chiropractors) or without
official government sanction (i.e., as nutritionists or natural
health consultants). However, without standards in the states
without licensing laws, individuals with little or no formal
education may also proclaim themselves naturopathic doctors with
diploma mill "degrees" or purchased
certificates.
NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
Naturopathic medicine has been a distinct natural health care
profession for one hundred years. It is based on the timeless
philosophy of Vis Medicatrix Naturae, "the healing
power of nature." This means that all true healing is the
result of the body/mind’s natural ability to heal itself.
Naturopathic physicians help to remove the obstacles to cure and
employ natural therapies that strengthen and stimulate the
body/mind’s own healing processes. They treat the whole person
(i.e. physically mentally and socially) with natural health care
tailored to meet the individual’s personal needs. Naturopathic
physicians use a variety of natural therapies, including:
Counseling (diet, lifestyle &
psychological)
Clinical Nutrition
Homeopathy
Botanical Medicines (herbs)
Physical medicine
Acupuncture
Functional Medicine
Bio-identical Hormone Therapy
In
the states where naturopathic doctors are licensed to practice
medicine they provide the standard services of primary care. For
example, in Washington state, naturopathic physicians are
covered by health insurance and are licensed to prescribe most
pharmaceuticals, do minor surgery, give IVs, provide preventive
care, and diagnose disease using the full range of diagnostic
laboratory tests and clinical exams. Most do a general family
practice, including offering gynecology and pediatrics; but some
doctors specialize in different clinical areas, such as
oncology, cardiology, chronic disease, anti-aging medicine,
research, etc. Naturopathic physicians function as part of the
larger medical community and collaborate with both alternative
and conventional specialists whenever indicated.
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy
is one distinct and powerful type of natural therapy used by
naturopathic physicians. Homeopathy has its own specially
prepared natural remedies and rules of practice. These remedies
are made by homeopathic pharmacies according to FDA regulations.
A special dilution process makes homeopathic remedies very safe
while greatly enhancing their effectiveness. Homeopathic
remedies are not the same as herbal or nutritional
supplements. A variety of different types of practitioners (i.e.
N.D.s, M.D.s, D.C.s, etc.) may use some homeopathy. However, a
practitioner would be called a homeopath only if it was his or
her specialty. Dr. Bradley is both a naturopathic physician and
a homeopath. Most patients he sees receive homeopathy as their
main treatment modality.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE
In a growing number of states naturopathic physicians are
licensed as general practitioners. In these states they provide
preventive care, diagnose disease using the standard laboratory
tests and medical exams, and treat the whole family using
natural therapies. They function as part of the larger medical
community and refer to the appropriate specialists whenever
indicated. Naturopathic physicians successfully treat people who
have acute problems like minor injuries and infections, but
their greatest strength is the treatment of people with chronic
diseases. Dr. Bradley specializes in the treatment of people
with chronic health problems such as allergies, recurrent
childhood infections, psychological problems, arthritis,
digestive tract ailments, female health problems, auto-immune
diseases, chronic fatigue, headaches, etc. and does not offer
diagnostic or primary care services. |
