Naturopathic medicine is primary care medicine with a holistic approach and an emphasis on natural therapies.
The goal of naturopathic medicine is to facilitate the body’s abilities to heal itself.
Toward that goal, naturopathic doctors treat patients as active participants in their health care, and help empower patients to reach and maintain optimum health.
Naturopathic medical practice focuses on each patient is unique, treating underlying causes of illness in addition to relieving symptoms, in order to recover and maintain lasting wellness.
Naturopathic medicine addresses the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – to find the safest, least invasive, effective treatments necessary to correct health problems.
What Is A Naturopathic Doctor?
Naturopathic doctors (ND) are taught at four-year, graduate-level, accredited medical schools, where they are trained as primary care providers. Naturopathic doctors receive similar basic education in the diagnostic and clinical sciences as medical doctors (MD). These include; anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, cardiology, urology, endocrinology, neurology, radiology, minor surgery, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, geriatrics, psychology, dermatology, and clinical and physical diagnosis.
In addition to training in a wide spectrum of scientifically-based natural therapies, they are trained and educated in allopathic medicines. Before graduating, Naturopathic doctors must spend two years working and training in a medical clinic. Naturopathic doctors are specialists in the prevention of disease, and in optimizing wellness. Naturopathic doctors diagnose by taking thorough histories, performing physical exams, and laboratory testing. Patient education and lifestyle counseling form the foundation of naturopathic medical practice.
Naturopathic doctors have licensure in over 23 states and territories.
To learn more about naturopathic doctors, view the American Association of Naturopathic Physician’s web site at www.naturopathic.org.
What Can Naturopathic Doctors Treat?
The scope of practice for naturopathic doctors includes all aspects of family and primary care, from pediatrics through geriatrics. Naturopathic medical therapies are effective in treating and in preventing a range of conditions, which may affect you and your family. See Conditions We Treat.
What Are The Guiding Principles Of Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic doctors practice the following fundamental principles of naturopathic medicine:
The Healing Power of Nature – Vis Medicatrix Nature
Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent ability in the body, which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to recovery and to facilitate and augment this healing ability.
Identify and Treat the Causes – Tolle Causam
The naturopathic doctor seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm – Primum Non Nocere
Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient:
- Utilize methods and medicinal substances, which minimize the risk of harmful side effects.
- Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.
- Acknowledge and respect the individuals healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.
Doctor as Teacher – Docere
Naturopathic doctors educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.
Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic doctors treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual path.
Prevention
Naturopathic doctors emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.