What is naturopathic medicine? Naturopathic medicine, or a nature-based medical system, is a form of natural treatment for physical and emotional healing. The medical system often employs naturopathic doctors who are trained in multiple forms of treatment including botanical medicine, homeopathic remedies, lifestyle changes, exercise, nutrition therapy, counseling, acupuncture, and herbal therapies. Naturopathic doctors are educated to see the whole person, not just the surface symptoms.
Naturopathic physicians must pass a comprehensive four-and-a-half year medical school program and successfully complete an internship and residency. Following this rigorous education and training, graduates may become certified by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) or licensed by their state. The CNME is the only accrediting agency for naturopathic medicine in North America.
Naturopathic medicine is a system of healthcare that embraces the belief that “nature heals.” Naturopathic doctors are trained to treat the whole person, which includes understanding an individual’s lifestyle habits and taking into account any pre-existing medical conditions. Patients with chronic pain often turn to naturopathic medicine because it helps them minimize their reliance on painkillers. This is because the treatment plan may include a combination of techniques such as acupuncture, massage, nutritional counseling, and exercise.
The philosophy of naturopathic medicine is to promote wellness as a way of life that incorporates a set of behaviors and attitudes which include: As a complete system of healthcare, naturopathic medicine is unique in that it does not consider symptoms in isolation from their possible causes. Rather, symptoms are considered within the complete person and with respect to possible behavioral risk factors. Naturopathic medicine is practiced in the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) field of health care.
Naturopathic doctors practice across all medical specialties, with a focus on preventative healthcare. At naturopathic schools in the U.S., students learn about the body’s physiological systems and how to diagnose and treat health conditions through natural means. A person can become a naturopathic doctor after completing a four-year post-graduate program that consists of intensive studying of the human body and how food, exercise, and natural therapies affect health. According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, naturopathic education is offered at more than 30 colleges in North America.
In order to become a licensed practitioner of naturopathic medicine in the U.S., an individual must complete a four-year post-graduate school training program accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). As of May 2018, there were 37 programs in North America. The CNME also accredits hospitals offering residency programs certified by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. As of May 2018, there were three such hospitals: Bastyr University, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and National University of Health Sciences.
A person may also choose to be trained as a naturopathic practitioner through some other countries such as Canada or Australia. Australian and Canadian naturopaths are not regulated; they are not required to have any formal medical training, nor is there any official licensing or regulatory body for them.
In conclusion, naturopathic medicine is one of the fastest-growing fields in the healthcare industry. Naturopathic doctors are trained to treat physical, mental, and spiritual conditions with natural therapies. This includes manual therapy techniques, nutritional counseling, lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, homeopathy, tai chi or qi gong, acupuncture or acupressure, therapeutic exercise for injury rehabilitation, and pain management. Naturopaths emphasize mindfulness and providing information for patients to make informed decisions about their health care.
Naturopathic medicine is helpful for those who are experiencing health problems that can not be treated by medication. Naturopaths try to find the root of the problem and make changes that allow the body to heal itself. They use things like plant-based medicines, vitamins, minerals, herbs, exercise, diet change, and lifestyle change to address problems.