Hispanics embrace naturopathy

Newsday recently published an online article discussing the growing popularity of alternative medicine among Hispanics. Dr. Melissa Robinson, a 2003 graduate of The National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR, said she discovered early in her practice, that Hispanics were drawn toward this type of medicine, and Hispanics now make up the majority of her patients.

Robinson's business, Natural Solutions for Health, uses a variety of alternative treatments including nutritional counseling, diet and exercise planning, thermal massage and dietary supplements. She implements these practices to heal the body without prescription drugs or invasive surgeries.

Robinson's philosophy of using herbs and natural cures is one that many people from Latin America are quick to embrace, said Ingrid Fallaque, Robinson's translator and intermediary with the Hispanic community. Many Hispanics are familiar with natural remedies from their own countries and feel more safe using them than taking pills, said Fallaque, who is from Peru.

Robinson said the philosophy of naturopathic doctors focuses on the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Robinson did say, however, that since some insurance companies do not cover her work, she often has trouble connecting her patients with low-cost access to specialists for X-rays, blood work, MRIs and other services.

It comes as no surprise that minorities are picking up on alternative medicine, since it’s often more cost efficient for lower income individuals than traditional medicine. As health care costs continue to rise, it is likely that lower-income individuals and those without health care coverage will begin to rapidly embrace this type of treatment, as they have already. The rising cost of health insurance is likely to stimulate business for those who practice alternative treatment.

"I feel like we're really fulfilling a need in the community," Robinson said. "They're helping me, so I can build this business."