Amy LaRue Wellness—Natural Medicine and Holistic Living

Partner Spotlight - August 2023

Amy LaRue guides her clients through their journey to optimal health and wellbeing utilizing naturopathic principles, evidence-based research and natural healing. ​

- By Amy LaRue

Amy LaRue and family | Ann Madden Photography

Amy LaRue Wellness, LLC is your local source for all things natural medicine and holistic living. Amy obtained her doctorate in naturopathic medicine in 2013 from an accredited naturopathic medical school, National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon.
 

Amy LaRue | Ann Madden Photograhy

 
Although she graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in pre-med/dietetics, it would be seven years before she stumbled upon naturopathic medicine. During that time, she lived a "reverse retirement" in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, working and enjoying the epic beauty. As many people do, she worked an array of jobs while living the mountain lifestyle centered around outdoor activity and exercise. The longer she was there and the more she read about the reality of conventional medicine, the more she realized that would not be her path.
 
Eventually, she attended a wellness conference hosted at the ski resort in downtown Jackson Hole. It was there that she was introduced to naturopathic medicine and started exploring her options. She knew immediately this was the type of healthcare she wanted to learn.

​You might be wondering what naturopathic medicine means and how it is different from an M.D. (medical/allopathic doctor) or D.O. (osteopathic doctor). The rigorous training integrates modern medicine and evidence-based research with traditional natural healing that has been used for centuries. Naturopathic medicine extensively integrates therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation/ orthopedics, and biochemistry in addition to basic medical school course work such as anatomy, physiology, cardiology, gynecology, pharmacology, etc. The six principles of naturopathic medicine illustrate our philosophy best:

• The Healing Power of Nature: Trust in the body’s inherent wisdom to heal itself.
• Identify and Treat the Cause: Look beyond the symptoms to find the underlying cause.
• First Do No Harm: Utilize the most natural, minimally invasive and least toxic treatments.
•  Doctor As Teacher: Educate patients on steps to achieve and maintain good health.
• Treat the Whole Person: View the body as an integrated whole in all its physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions.
• Prevention: Focus on overall health, wellness, and disease prevention.

 

 
In the doctoral program, students begin treating patients under the supervision of their attending doctor during years 3 and 4, so upon graduation they are well equipped to help patients reach their natural health goals. Some students choose to complete residencies in their area of focus although they are not required to obtain a license. Currently, the United States has 26 jurisdictions that license or certify naturopathic doctors, allowing them to practice within a specific scope with varying limitations by state. It is important to note that in states that do not certify or license NDs, anyone that obtains a “degree or certification” online may use the term: naturopath, naturopathic doctor or naturopathic practitioner. It is important to research any provider you are considering to fully understand their qualifications.
 
After spending 15 years out west, Amy moved back in Mississippi. She had three children under three and needed all the help she could get. While she and her family loved living in beautiful Bend, Oregon, the time came to be closer to her extended family, all the cousins that are the same age as her children, and day to day help with her own little ones. Amy, her husband, and their 3 children, ages 8, 6 and 5, have enjoyed all the perks of small-town life, especially riding to school in their golf cart. Beach life is an easy life with little ones, enjoying nature as their playground year-round.

 
After moving back home to Mississippi, Amy transferred her license to Vermont as it is the closest state to the deep South that offers licensure. Over the past four years she has built a naturopathic wellness consulting business focusing on holistic women’s health, especially in the area of natural hormonal balance. As an expert in alternative and complementary medicine with ten years of experience, Amy aims to provide her clients with a big-picture perspective on why their body is presenting bothersome symptoms, how their lifestyle, emotions, and diet impact their overall wellness, and how to return to alignment. The goal is to restore vitality and empower women by helping them navigate the world of natural health, which can be overwhelming. The journey to optimal wellness is just that – a journey. It takes time and commitment. Her role is to shed light on how to remove obstacles to cure and regain control of your body, mind, and spirit.
 

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