A Conversation About Naturopathic Medicine

TThe following is a conversation with Dr. Molly Ferguson, a naturopathic doctor working at Prairie Naturopathic Doctors in Moorhead. Dr. Molly and her husband, Dr. Todd Ferguson, are members of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, the Minnesota Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and the Catholic Medical Association.

AW: Tell me a little about your background. What initially interested you in naturopathic medicine?

Molly: I grew up in Iowa, the oldest of seven children. My mom had an interest in nutrition and herbs. I grew up around some natural thinking. It was at Franciscan University in Ohio that I heard of naturopathy. When I learned it was medical training with a focus on diet, life style, and herbal medications, I knew it was what I wanted to study.

AW: What type of degree and work experience do you have?

Molly: After college I went to Bastry University. I met my Todd at Bastry, and we were married in 2005. I graduated in 2006 with a doctorate in naturopathic medicine and a midwifery certificate. I was hired at a busy midwifery practice where we had 120 births per year. Todd finished his last year at Bastry during that time and our first baby, Lucia, was born.

AW: Why did you come to the FM area?

Molly: Todd graduated in 2007, and we moved here because there were job openings for both of us and Todd’s family lived nearby. We wanted to live in the Midwest to raise our kids.

AW: Would you define naturopathic medicine and tell me its primary tenants?

Molly: Naturopathic medicine is medical knowledge with a focus on supporting the body’s healing and health mechanisms. We look for things to support the entire person and all areas of health, including stress, diet, and digestive health.

On a basic level, if you skin your knee, it heals itself. The body cares for and heals itself. As a naturopath, I look at the ways a body does this on its own.

The six main tenants of naturopathy are using this healing power found naturally in our bodies, identifying and treating causes rather than symptoms only, to do no harm, to educate our patients using the doctor as teacher method, to treat the whole person, and preventative medicine.

AW: What do you believe are the benefits naturopathic medicine?

Molly: We try to get to the heart of what is wrong, not just treat the symptoms. We spend a lot of time listening to our patients and educating them. Our therapies target boosting the body wellness.

I’m not unappreciative of M.D.’s. Todd’s dad is a medical doctor. He is very well established. Our medicine has invigorated him to learn more about diet and lifestyle. I very much value, and refer my patients to, mainstream providers.

AW: Can you explain midwifery?

Molly: I am a CPM: a certified professional midwife, licensed in Minnesota. I assist with the birthing process in a home environment. Homebirth is on the rise in the United States. People want to feel more in control and have more say in their birthing environment. Homebirth is a good option for most women; however, some women would not qualify because of medical history or conditions.

AW: In what areas do you see naturopathy specifically helpful to women?

Molly: I see many women with PMS, menstrual issues, hot flashes, night sweats, and heavy cycles. I work with women who do not want to be on hormones and or contraceptives, and treat them with diet, nutrient, and herbal therapies. I’ve seen a lot of women normalize their cycles and general hormone balance, from teens to seventy year olds.

AW: You and your husband Todd share a practice?

Molly: We share an office space. A lot of our work is similar, but we are different doctors, so we might think differently, too. Our second daughter Clare was born in April of 2009. Our son, Kilian, was born in August 2011. Because of our growing family, Todd has longer office work hours than I do. He sees more of the male patients. I tend to see more children and women.

AW: What do you like the best about your work?

Molly: People come in saying there is no connection between what they are eating and their symptoms. In case after case, I see diet making a huge difference in people’s overall health. I love the midwifery and the relationships I build with my patients. The best part is when a patient comes in and says ‘I’m feeling better.’ [AWM]

For more information, visit prairiend.com.