What is naturopathy?
Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, is a system of medicine based on the
healing power of nature. Naturopathy is a holistic system, meaning that
naturopathic doctors (N.D.s) strive to find the cause of disease by
understanding the patient as a totality of body, mind, and spirit. Most N.D.s
use a wide variety of therapies and techniques (such as nutrition, herbal
medicine, homeopathy, and acupuncture).
There are two areas of focus in naturopathy: one is supporting the body's own
healing abilities, and the other is empowering individuals to make lifestyle
changes necessary for the best possible health. While N.D.s treat both short
bouts of illness and chronic conditions, their emphasis is on prevention of
disease and patient education. Many different therapies are used to
What is the history of naturopathy?
The modern form of naturopathy can be traced to 18th- and 19th-century
natural healing systems. Such systems include hydrotherapy (water therapy),
which was popular in Germany and nature cure, developed in Austria, and based on
the use of food, air, light, water, and herbs to treat illness.
Benjamin Lust, a German immigrant, first introduced naturopathy to the United
States in 1902 when he founded the American School of Naturopathy. The school
emphasized the use of natural cures, proper bowel habits, and good hygiene as
the essential tools for health. This was the first time that dietary principles,
like increasing fiber intake and minimizing saturated fats, became popular.
In the mid-1920s to 1940, while allopathic medical training and
pharmaceuticals and medical technologies gained notoriety, the use of
naturopathic medicine declined. It was not until the 1960s that
naturopathic-style holistic medicine regained popularity. Today, naturopaths are
licensed primary care providers in many states offering information and advice
on a variety of alternative and complementary therapies, including homeopathy,
vitamin and mineral supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine, relaxation
techniques, and herbal remedies.
What should I expect from a visit to a naturopath?
A visit to a Naturopathic doctor, or N.D., will be similar to a visit to your
family doctor. Your first visit may take more than an hour. During this time, a
very thorough history is taken, including questions about diet, lifestyle,
stress, and environmental exposures. Next, the N.D. will perform an appropriate
physical examination, which may require laboratory tests. In addition to
conventional tests, N.D.s may use unique laboratory techniques such as the
Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA). This technique allows naturopaths
to assess the digestive process as well as specific nutrient absorption, amongst
Naturopathic doctors treat the whole person, which means they consider a
variety of factors before they diagnose and treat an illness. Factors an N.D.
might consider in making a diagnosis include your mental, emotional, and
spiritual state, your diet, your family history (whether or not your parents or
grandparents suffer [or suffered] from the same condition), your environment,
and your lifestyle.
Some of the more common treatments used by a naturopath
- Nutritional counseling
- Herbal medicine
- Homeopathic medicine
- Hydrotherapy (Water therapy) -- Therapies in this
category include drinking natural spring water, taking baths, and exercising in
water, all of which are thought to stimulate and support healing and strengthen
the immune system.
- Physical Medicine -- This natural approach to healing involves
using touch, hot and cold compresses, electric currents, and sound waves to
manipulate the muscles, bones, and spine.
- Detoxification -- This therapy removes toxins from the body by
using techniques such as fasting, enemas, and drinking water in large
- Spirituality -- Personal spiritual development is encouraged as an
important part of an overall health program.
- Lifestyle and Psychological Counseling -- An N.D. may
use hypnosis, guided imagery, or other counseling methods as part of a treatment
Naturopaths consider patients to be partners in their healthcare, so you may
be asked to make lifestyle changes (such as changing your sleeping, eating, and
What illnesses and conditions respond well to naturopathy?
Because naturopaths successfully combine so many therapies it is difficult to
single out specific illnesses for which naturopathy is recommended. In fact,
naturopaths treat both acute and chronic conditions from arthritis to ear
infections (otitis media) to HIV to asthma to congestive heart failure to
hepatitis. N.D.s treat the whole person (rather than simply treating a disease
or its symptoms), striving to maintain a balanced state of good health in their
patients. Because of this holistic approach, chronic conditions may be
particularly suited to an N.D.'s care.
Is there anything I should look out for?
Be sure to share the details of your treatment with your medical doctor (M.D)
and let your N.D. know of any conventional medications you are taking. Some
treatments can negatively interact with each other, and your healthcare
practitioners will be better able to treat you if they are aware of every
therapy that you are using. High doses of nutrients and herbs should be
administered only by an experienced practitioner, due to the possibility of
toxicities and drug-herb interactions. Please see the monographs on individual
herbs and supplements for detailed information regarding specific substances.
Significant dietary changes can also undermine good health (especially in the
very young, the elderly, and those with certain medical conditions, such as
How can I find a qualified practitioner?
Naturopathic doctors are licensed in 11
states—Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine,
Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, Utah, and
Washington—and have a legal right to practice in Idaho
and the District of Columbia. To locate a qualified N.D. in your area, contact
the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) at 206-298-0125 (or
visit their website at www.naturopathic.org).
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