What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Based upon a holistic philosophy, naturopathic medicine blends traditional healing methods with the most current advances in modern medicine. The practice of naturopathic medicine emerges from the six fundamental principles of healing:
- First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere) – Naturopathic doctors utilize methods which minimize the risk of harmful side effects. A conscious effort is made to use the least invasive therapy to diagnose and treat and to complement the body’s natural healing abilities rather merely suppress the symptoms of an illness.
- The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae) – By identifying and removing obstacles to cure, naturopathic doctors trust that the body has an inherent wisdom to establish, maintain, and restore health.
- Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam) – A key component of naturopathic medicine is to identify the root cause of disease rather than simply suppress or treat the symptoms.
- Doctor as Teacher (Docere) – A naturopathic doctor’s primary role is to educate and empower patients to take ownership of their own health. Great emphasis is placed on practicing effective communication and listening skills in order to create a strong doctor-patient relationship and to guide you on your journey towards better health.
- Treat the Whole Person (Tolle Totum) – Naturopathic doctors treat the whole person, not just the disease, by taking mental, emotional, physical, genetic, environmental, social, and spiritual factors into account.
- Prevention – Naturopathic doctors assess risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and provide proper interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness and promote health.
Naturopathic Medical Education:
Naturopathic doctors (NDs or NMDs) attend a four or five-year accredited postgraduate naturopathic medical school and must pass rigorous national and state board examinations in order to become eligible for licensure as primary care general practitioners.
In addition to the standard medical curriculum, naturopathic doctors are clinically trained in the use of a wide variety of natural therapeutics. Naturopathic doctors conduct physical exams and diagnostic tests such as imaging and laboratory tests (blood, urine, saliva, stool, hair, etc.) if warranted. They may also employ the use of prescription medications and minor surgery when necessary and refer out to other medical practitioners.
For more information on the education and training of naturopathic doctors or naturopathic medicine, please visit http://naturopathic.org/.