FAQs

What is naturopathic medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary healthcare that blends evidence-based natural therapies with modern medical science. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained to find and treat the root causes of illness — not just manage symptoms — using therapies such as clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, and IV nutrient therapy. At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, our NDs take a whole-person approach, creating personalized treatment plans designed to support your body’s natural healing ability and help you achieve lasting health.

What makes naturopathic doctors different from conventional medical doctors?

Naturopathic doctors complete a four-year, post-graduate naturopathic medical program covering the same foundational sciences as MDs — anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology — plus additional training in nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and lifestyle medicine. The key difference is philosophy: NDs focus on identifying why symptoms are occurring and addressing root causes, rather than prescribing drugs to suppress symptoms. At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, our doctors spend extended time with each patient to understand the full picture of their health.

What services does Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center offer?

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center offers a comprehensive range of naturopathic services including functional diagnostic testing, IV therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), nutrition programs, chiropractic manipulation, electro-physio therapies, regenerative injections, oncology naturopathic support, aesthetic services, vitamin injections, and much more. Visit our Services page for the full list.

How do I become a new patient at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center?

Getting started is easy. Call (916) 446-2591 to schedule a free 15-minute telephone consultation with Dr. Godby or one of our team doctors. This no-obligation call lets you ask questions, share your health concerns, and determine whether naturopathic care is the right fit for you. You can also visit our New Patients page for details on the intake process and what to bring to your first appointment.

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes. Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center offers a FREE 15-minute telephone consultation with one of our licensed naturopathic doctors. Call (916) 446-2591 to schedule. This is a great opportunity to discuss your health concerns, learn about our approach, and decide if we’re the right fit — with no pressure and no charge.

What conditions does Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center treat?

Our naturopathic doctors treat a broad range of acute and chronic conditions including hormonal imbalances, thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, digestive issues, autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue, allergies, anxiety, depression, weight management challenges, diabetes, cardiovascular concerns, neurological conditions, skin conditions, and much more. View our full Medical Conditions Treated page for a comprehensive list.

What is the difference between your blood tests and standard blood tests?

The key difference is how results are interpreted. At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, Dr. Godby uses OptimalDX software to evaluate your blood work against optimal health ranges — not just the broad reference ranges used by conventional labs, which only identify frank disease. This approach allows us to identify meaningful imbalances and patterns years before they would show as “abnormal” on standard labs. Every patient receives a detailed, personalized OptimalDX report reviewed in full by their naturopathic doctor. Learn more on our Blood Tests: Reference Range vs. Optimal Range page.

What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy and what does it treat?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) involves breathing pure oxygen inside a pressurized chamber, dramatically increasing the oxygen dissolved in all body fluids and allowing it to reach damaged tissues that normal circulation cannot access. Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center is one of Sacramento’s premier HBOT providers, using the Vitaeris320 chamber. HBOT is used to treat TBI, autism, Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, stroke recovery, Alzheimer’s, diabetic wounds, sports injuries, and much more. Visit our About Hyperbaric Oxygen page or call (916) 446-2591 to schedule your free 15-minute HBOT consultation.

Does Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center offer telemedicine?

Yes. Our telemedicine service is available to patients nationwide. Whether you’re in Sacramento, CA or across the country, you can connect with one of our naturopathic doctors via secure video call for consultations, lab test orders, and personalized treatment planning — all from the comfort of your home.

Can I use my HSA or FSA for naturopathic care at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center?

Yes. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can typically be used to pay for naturopathic services, lab work, and many professional supplements at Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center. If your insurance doesn’t directly cover naturopathic services, our office can provide a Superbill for reimbursement submission. See our Insurance Policy page for full details.

What is IV therapy and how can it help me?

IV (intravenous) therapy delivers vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other nutrients directly into your bloodstream — bypassing the digestive system for immediate, maximum absorption. This is especially beneficial for patients with digestive conditions, absorption issues, or high-demand health needs. At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, our IV menu includes Myers’ Cocktail, Immune Supporter, Detoxer with Glutathione, Mood & Nerve Balancer, Fat Burner, Wellness Revitalizer, and fully custom formulations based on your lab results.

Does Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center offer weight loss programs?

Yes. We offer several weight loss approaches including our medically supervised Hc3 Trim Homeopathic HcG program (enabling 0.5–1 pound of fat loss per day), personalized nutrition programs, and body composition analysis to objectively track your progress. Our approach addresses the full picture — including hormonal imbalances, food sensitivities, and metabolic factors — that often prevent lasting weight loss.

What is ThyroFlex and why is it unique?

ThyroFlex is a non-invasive, FDA-approved test that measures thyroid function at the cellular level using a simple reflex test — no needles, no blood. Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center is the only provider of ThyroFlex testing in the Sacramento area and has been performing this test since 2009, testing over 1,500 patients. Standard TSH blood tests often miss subclinical thyroid dysfunction; ThyroFlex reveals what’s actually happening at the tissue level.

What aesthetic services does Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center offer?

Our aesthetic services include chemical peels, Subnovii plasma pen (fibroblasting for skin tightening), PRP with microneedling, HydraFacials, and skin and health analysis. What makes our aesthetic program unique is its naturopathic foundation — we investigate and address internal contributors to skin health (hormones, gut health, nutrition) alongside topical treatments for superior, longer-lasting results.

Does Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center treat cancer patients?

Yes. Our Oncology Naturopathic program is led by Dr. Easter Ho, ND, who specializes in integrative cancer care. Dr. Ho works alongside your conventional oncology team to support immune function, manage treatment side effects, maintain nutritional status, and improve quality of life through evidence-based naturopathic therapies including nutritional counseling, herbal medicine, IV Vitamin C, and HBOT.

How long has Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center been in practice?

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center was founded by Dr. Dennis Godby, ND, MA — Sacramento’s longest-serving naturopathic doctor, practicing since 1978. Dr. Godby was named California’s first Naturopathic Doctor of the Year in 2012 and received the “True Grit” award from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians in 2023. Our practice has deep roots in the Sacramento community spanning nearly five decades.

Where is Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center located and what are your hours?

We are located at 2530 J Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95816 — on the corner of J and 26th Streets. Free parking is available in spots #22–25 in the lot behind our building. Our office hours are Monday 8am–5pm, Tuesday 9am–5pm, Wednesday 8am–8pm, and Thursday 8am–5pm. Call (916) 446-2591 to schedule your appointment.

What is food allergy testing and can it help my symptoms?

Our food allergy testing identifies both IgE (immediate) and IgG (hidden/delayed) food reactions using a simple finger-stick blood test performed right in our office — no outside lab visit needed. Hidden food sensitivities are extremely common and associated with a wide range of symptoms including chronic fatigue, digestive issues, headaches, skin conditions, weight gain, and mood problems. Many of Dr. Godby’s patients have seen dramatic health improvements after identifying and eliminating their trigger foods.

Can naturopathic medicine help with anxiety and depression?

Yes. At Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center, we approach mood disorders from a biochemical and whole-body perspective. Neurotransmitter testing can identify specific chemical imbalances driving anxiety or depression. Food allergy testing and hormone testing often reveal hidden contributors. Treatment may include targeted amino acid therapy, herbal medicine, nutritional support, lifestyle modification, and IV therapy — addressing root causes rather than simply suppressing symptoms.

Does Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center offer chiropractic and physical medicine services?

Yes. Dr. Thien Nguyen, ND, DC provides a comprehensive range of musculoskeletal services including chiropractic manipulation, electro-physio therapies (shockwave, cold laser, TENS, interferential, therapeutic ultrasound), therapeutic integrated manual therapy (soft tissue release, myofascial release, trigger point release, kinesio taping), and ultrasound-guided regenerative injections (prolotherapy, PRP, trigger point injections, perineural injections).