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What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a unique system of health care, promoting natural healing and prevention of disease. Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine are trained as primary care general practitioners who use a variety of non-invasive natural therapeutics to holistically treat both acute and chronic health conditions.
What distinguishes a Naturopathic Doctor from another Physician?
A naturopathic doctor (N.D.) or naturopath is a primary care practitioner who is a specialist in natural medicine. Naturopaths use functional diagnostic tests, in addition to standard diagnostic tests, in order to identify the root of an illness. They spend quality time with each patient to treat the cause of the health condition, rather than simply the symptom manifestation, as often practiced in traditional medicine. Naturopathic doctors work with and support the body’s own healing ability, and emphasize prevention and self-care. The vast array of natural treatment modalities truly distinguishes a naturopathic doctor from other primary care physicians. Naturopaths cooperate with all other branches of medical science, referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate. This results in a patient-centered approach striving to meet the needs of the individual person.
Naturopathic Training
Naturopathic Doctors are trained at accredited, four-year, post-graduate medical schools in both conventional and naturopathic medical sciences. Their comprehensive training includes studies in basic medical sciences, clinical sciences, pharmacology and a wide variety of natural therapeutics. Naturopathic Doctors are required to successfully pass national board exams in the basic and clinical medical sciences as well as all of the naturopathic therapeutics.