Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Medicine
Education
A registered naturopathic doctor (ND) attends a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic doctor also studies clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology and counseling. A naturopathic doctor takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice healthcare provider.
Additional information on naturopathic schools can be found on the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges web site.
Naturopathic Medicine
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
- The Healing Power of Nature - each individual has an inherent self healing wisdom.
- Identify and Treat the Cause - identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than merely suppressing the symptoms.
- First, Do No Harm - utilize the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies.
- Doctor as Teacher - Naturopathic physicians take the time to educate each patient and help them play an active role in maintaining their health.
- Treat the Whole Person - our health is not only physical as we must also look at an individuals mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and spiritual components of health.
- Prevention - Naturopaths excel in disease prevention to keep individuals at optimal health and happiness.
Naturopathic Medicine
Therapeutic Order
- Establish the Conditions for Health & Identify Obstacles to Cure
- Stimulate the Healing Power of Nature
- Address Weakened or Damaged Systems
- Correct Structural Integrity
- Address Pathology Using Natural Substances
- Address Pathology Using Pharmaceuticals
- Suppress or Surgically Remove Pathology
Naturopathic Medicine
Modalities
- Clinical Nutrition
- Botanical Medicine
- Homeopathy
- Counseling
- Hydrotherapy
- Craniosacral Therapy and Visceral Manipulation
- IV Therapy