What is Naturopathic Medicine?
A Natural System of Holistic Health Care
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of health care that integrates traditional, natural, non-invasive therapies with modern medical diagnostic science and standards of care. It is a unique and comprehensive approach to improving health through diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness.
Naturopathic medicine views the patient as a whole person taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social factors. Symptoms of disease are seen as signals of improper functioning of the body and Naturopathic Physicians aim to find and treat the root cause of these symptoms. Naturopathic therapies support and stimulate the body’s inherent ability to heal.
Naturopathic medicine is defined in part by the natural therapies it uses and also by its philosophical principles that guide its practitioners.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
The following principles guide Naturopathic Physicians and govern the practice of naturopathic medicine:
- The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
- Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
- First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
- Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
- Treat the Whole Person
NDs use a variety of healing modalities in their practices and may have special interests in different areas, but all are trained to apply the above principles to their naturopathic medical practice.
Naturopathic physicians (NDs) are licensed physicians who integrate conventional medicine with a broad range of natural therapies. They practice a comprehensive approach to treating acute and chronic illness, preventing disease, and promoting health.
NDs provide both disease-specific health services and wellness counseling. NDs excel in early diagnosis and treatment of many chronic health conditions. With advanced board certifications, some naturopathic physicians also practice as specialists (i.e., pediatrics and adjunctive cancer care).
Naturopathic physicians utilize:
- Standard medical diagnostic techniques such as extensive health history, physical examination, blood tests, imaging, and other standard laboratory procedures
- Holistic interpretation in order to find the underlying cause of the disease process
- Natural, least invasive, and least toxic therapies as the first line of treatment when appropriate, and rational use of pharmaceutical medications
Naturopathic physicians work in partnership with other health care providers to ensure that patients receive the most comprehensive and effective care possible. They work in private practices, hospitals, clinics, and community health centers throughout the United States and Canada.
Naturopathic Treatment and Care
The naturopathic physician’s role is to identify and address the underlying cause of illness rather than solely treating or suppressing the symptoms, and to facilitate the body’s own ability to restore and maintain optimal health. NDs concern themselves with the “why” and “what” of an illness, and as a result, treatments are highly individualized and patients are educated and involved in their health program.
Naturopathic physicians take the time to listen to their patients and nurture healing relationships. NDs create individual treatment plans by applying therapies such as:
- Dietary Counseling
- Clinical Nutritional Supplementation
- Botanical (Herbal) Medicine
- Homeopathic Medicine
- Hydrotherapy and Physical Medicine
- Lifestyle Counseling and Exercise Prescriptions
- Mind-Body Medicine
- Pharmaceutical Medicine
NDs treat all medical conditions and can provide both individual and family health care. Naturopathic doctors excel at treating many of the conditions with which conventional medicine struggles. Allergies, chronic pain, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, obesity, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, fertility problems, menopausal complaints, fatigue and infectious diseases are just some of the conditions that NDs routinely treat. Naturopathic physicians also team with their patients’ conventional providers, providing well-rounded care.
Naturopathic Physician Education & Training
Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care physicians at accredited medical schools with competitive application and admission processes. Like their conventional medical school counterparts, naturopathic medical schools are rigorous four-year doctoral programs. They provide a solid foundation in the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostic and treatment methods. Extensive training in natural medicines and therapies is combined with two years of supervised clinical internship.
In order to obtain a medical license, naturopathic physicians must graduate from an accredited naturopathic medical school, pass national board licensing examinations, and meet yearly continuing medical education requirements.