An Introduction

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care that emphasizes prevention and the self-healing process through the use of natural therapies. Viewing the human body and all of its systems as a whole, it seeks to find and address the root causes of illnesses by removing the obstacle to cure and supporting the body’s innate ability to heal via natural therapeutics.

A naturopathic doctor, therefore, seeks to address the underlying imbalances that led someone to the state of health they are in today. He or she may address these imbalances by correcting lifestyle, emotional or dietary factors that may have been contributing factors, addressing underlying nutritional deficiencies, and prescribing natural therapeutics such as herbal medicine to facilitate the self-healing process.

While Naturopathic Medicine is fit for a variety of health conditions and its principles can be applied broadly, your treatment approach will be highly individualized to you, your unique medical history, and overall picture of health. As a patient of Naturopathic Medicine, you can expect that your health concerns will be taken seriously, and that you will be listened to and encouraged.

You will be asked questions that seek to understand the full picture of your health and not just surface symptoms. Finally, you can expect guidance to move forward in a positive direction for your health in the long term.

What type of training do ND’s/Naturopathic Doctors have? Are they different than Naturopaths?

Naturopathic Doctors and Naturopaths have many similarities and both focus on treating health as a whole and addressing the cause of illness. Training for Naturopathic Doctors/ND’s consists of a four-year postgraduate degree. Meanwhile, traditional Naturopaths are certified through training processes that last between 6 months to 2 years.

Licensure for Naturopathic Doctors (ND’s) such as Dr. Sarah currently exist in 24 states, with some recognizing an ND as a primary healthcare provider, with others only endorse them as registered practitioners. It’s important to note that Illinois has not yet passed legislation for the licensure of Naturopathic Doctors and therefore her role is to serve primarily as a health consultant.

What is a first appointment like? What should I bring to the appointment?

A first-time appointment with an ND typically includes an in-depth history of past medical care, symptoms, a review of systems, lifestyle, and dietary assessment. It’s always helpful to bring any recent lab work and lists of supplements or medications and it is best to complete intake paperwork prior to a first appointment. At Wholehearted Naturopathic, the intake paperwork is sent via email after the booking of an appointment takes place.

While a few basic recommendations may be discussed during an initial meeting, a more comprehensive treatment plan may occur at a later date. This may not always be the case for a herbal medicine or nutrition appointment, but especially true for Naturopathic/Functional medicine visits that require laboratory work.

Will my insurance cover my visit with you?

While insurance providers are unable to cover Naturopathic visits in the state of Illinois, you may be able to apply HSA and FSA spendings to appointments, lab work, and supplements. For certain lab tests, you also may be able to receive insurance reimbursement by ordering with services such as Quest Direct.

What are some things I should know about pricing?

Pricing for Naturopathic Medicine is as follows:

Naturopathic/Functional Medicine: $225 initial or comprehensive visit; $110 for a problem-based or follow-up visit. Download full Wholehearted Wellness pricelist here.

*Note: Discounted Monthly Wellness Plans or Specials available.

Functional Lab Analysis: Individual Lab Cost

At Wholehearted Naturopathic, we always try to keep prices reasonable by offering labs and supplements close to cost. Additionally, a sliding scale policy for appointment costs may be applied for students or those in financial need. Please email drsarahhungnd@gmail.com for more information about this policy. Click on the link above for more information about labs.

How many appointments will I typically need? How often can I expect to see you?

The amount of appointments greatly depends on the individual. Someone who has relatively mild and noncomplex symptoms may only require a few visits whereas someone with a more chronic and severe status of health may require biweekly or monthly appointments for an extended time. During your first couple of visits, a treatment plan that best fits your condition and health goals will be discussed with Dr. Sarah.

What type of blood work is typically recommended?

It’s always best to first bring in recently completed lab work to your appointment, as a Naturopathic Doctor may interpret lab work slightly differently than a conventional practitioner. Depending on each person’s individual condition, recommended tests may include baseline bloodwork, vitamin and mineral testing, hormonal testing, food allergy testing, and toxicity testing.

In regard to payment, we offer discounted cash rates for ordering lab work through Quest. However, insurance does not typically cover more specialized testing such as food allergy testing, micronutrient testing, or toxicity profiles.

Is getting blood work required to see you?

While blood work is one tool is helping assess an individual holistically, it is not required. As a matter of fact, it is typically not included in herbal or nutrition visits, although having recent labs on hand may certainly assist in helping select the best nutritional or herbal choices for your condition.

Please reach out to my office via the contact information below if you have any further questions about Naturopathic Medicine services in Naperville, Illinois, or virtual Naturopathic appointments.