Naturopathic Medicine is based on the healing power of nature. Hippocrates established this concept in ancient Greece by saying, “Let food be thy medicine and let medicine be thy food.”
NDs use botanical and nutraceutical medicines as first-line alternatives to pharmaceutical medications. They also offer clinical nutritional and hydrotherapy services. Visit their Website for more information.
As a healing modality, naturopathy integrates and treats all aspects of a person’s health. NDs collaborate with all branches of medical science and will refer patients to them when appropriate. They work with patients to develop a collaborative relationship that empowers the patient and helps them steer their own health with greater independence from professional treatment.
A naturopathic physician will examine and assess the patient’s physical, emotional, genetic and environmental factors. In addition to performing medical tests and interpreting lab results, naturopaths also use therapeutic modalities such as botanical medicine (herbal medicines), clinical nutrition, homeopathy, mind-body therapies (including counseling and hypnosis), manual therapy, hydrotherapy, intravenous and injection treatments and other traditional herbal remedies and systems (e.g., acupuncture).
The naturopathic doctor recognizes the body’s innate ability to heal itself through the principles of First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere), Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam) and Doctor as Teacher (Docere). As part of their treatment plans, NDs encourage patients to participate in their own healing process by making lifestyle changes such as eating healthier, sleeping more, exercising more, reducing stress and using supplements and herbal medicine.
Naturopaths are trained to provide primary healthcare and can help prevent and treat many chronic and acute illnesses. They are skilled in performing minor procedures such as removing cysts and suturing superficial wounds, and can prescribe pharmaceutical drugs under certain circumstances.
NDs also promote prevention and are committed to improving the public’s health through education and advocacy. NDs are also involved in research and development of natural products and therapies. They work closely with scientists and researchers around the world to advance the research and evidence base of the therapies they use in practice. They are committed to integrating the best of scientific research with the time-honored traditions of naturopathy in order to offer the most comprehensive and effective healthcare possible. For example, naturopaths often use laboratory testing to evaluate hormone levels for a variety of conditions including menstrual irregularities, fatigue and autoimmune disorders. A comprehensive hormonal panel measures sex and adrenal hormones through saliva or urine to determine the balance of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol throughout the day and menstrual cycle.
Patient-Centered Care
NDs use therapies such as clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, constitutional hydrotherapy, homeopathy and acupuncture to stimulate the body’s innate healing mechanisms. These therapies complement and enhance conventional medical treatment and help patients achieve optimal health and wellbeing.
The ND philosophy is that the patient and doctor must work together to address the whole person. This means a deeper level of communication between the naturopath and the patient, longer appointments and self-care recommendations prior to any naturopathic treatments, and an emphasis on recognizing the patient’s preferences in care.
A naturopath will take a full health history, including diet and lifestyle factors, and perform a physical examination. NDs may also request laboratory tests such as a comprehensive digestive stool analysis, to examine the way the body is digesting nutrients and what substances are being absorbed or excreted.
Naturopathic medicine is based on the premise that symptoms are the body’s attempt to communicate an imbalance within. The naturopath will seek to understand the underlying cause of the disease or illness, rather than focus solely on treating the symptoms, and will often treat the disease with natural methods such as diet, exercise, herbs, water, fasting, and tissue manipulation, before resorting to pharmaceuticals.
Symptoms are seen as a signal that something is wrong, and the naturopath will seek to remove obstacles that are disturbing health, such as poor diet and digestive disturbances, inappropriate and chronic stress levels, and individual disharmony. The naturopath will construct a healthy regimen to improve the terrain in which disease develops, and will add therapeutic modalities such as herbal medicine or homeopathy to stimulate the body’s innate healing capabilities.
Studies have shown that naturopathy has the potential to disrupt and transform traditional healthcare models by improving patient outcomes and redirecting disease course. These changes are facilitated by naturopaths’ holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare and their ability to integrate their clinical services with biomedical specialists, thus contributing to the development of a holistic, multi-disciplinary primary care model. It is therefore crucial for policymakers to understand the benefits of integrating naturopathy into the public health system, as this could provide an opportunity to fill gaps in healthcare funding and promote better health.
Education
The naturopathic doctor uses laboratory tests and other objective data to diagnose a patient’s condition and then tailors a treatment plan, just as a physician would in any other setting. NDs take into account physical, mental and emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors that affect each individual’s health. This holistic approach to wellness-first, disease-second medicine allows patients to achieve a healthier, more balanced life.
The core philosophy of naturopathic medicine is the belief in the body’s inherent wisdom to heal itself. This healing power is triggered by the presence of specific substances, such as oxygen, water and nutrients, which are used to address the root causes of illness rather than treating the symptoms alone.
Naturopaths often claim that they are doctors and advocate for laws allowing them to perform minor surgery and prescribe medications. However, the vast majority of naturopaths have not attended accredited medical schools and have no scientific medical training. They have a lot to learn from the hematologists, medical oncologists, and endocrinologists who spend eight to 10 years in school and training before they can treat autoimmune diseases, bloodstream infections or heart disease.
In a naturopathic medicine clinic, an ND will use modalities including clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathy, botanical medicine, and physical medicine to help patients restore balance. They will also educate their patients in the steps they can take to obtain optimal health.
A naturopathic physician will spend a substantial amount of time educating their patients in the role of preventive healthcare and in the importance of self-responsibility. They will provide tips on healthy diet, exercise and stress management as well as discuss the spiritual aspects of health.
To become a licensed naturopathic doctor, you need to graduate from an accredited naturopathic medical school, like Bastyr University, and pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX). The CNME is the recognized accrediting body for naturopathic programs in North America.
Ethics
A deep-seated respect for patient autonomy and high ethical standards are central to naturopathy. Practitioners are entrusted with the profound responsibility of guiding patients toward optimal health through natural means. This trust requires a thorough understanding of medical ethics and a commitment to the highest moral standards.
The principles that guide naturopathy are as follows:
1. Transparency in Treatment Plans: Naturopaths should explain the rationale behind their recommendations and ensure that patients understand both the benefits and risks of the treatments they recommend. For example, a naturopath should explain why an herbal regimen might be beneficial and how it could negatively impact a patient’s health if the herbs are taken in large doses.
2. Non-Maleficence and Beneficence: These twin tenets of medical ethics emphasize not harming patients and actively contributing to their well-being. For example, a naturopath may encourage a patient to use conventional medicine alongside naturopathic care and support the patient’s decision to follow a different detoxification program if it will improve their overall health outcomes.
3. Continuing Education: Ethical practice necessitates ongoing professional development, and naturopaths should keep abreast of the latest research and advancements in their field. This might include attending conferences and webinars, or participating in peer-reviewed studies.
4. Environmental Integrity: A naturopath’s business should be environmentally responsible and employ eco-friendly practices. This might include using biodegradable materials in clinics, sourcing products from ethical producers and using renewable energy. It also includes minimizing the impact of naturopathic practices on public health care resources and the environment at large.
5. Cultural Sensitivity: A naturopath should be culturally sensitive and understand that different cultures have unique health beliefs. This might involve providing translation services or being aware of the importance of traditional healing techniques for a specific culture.
6. Privacy and Confidentiality: Naturopaths must maintain patient confidentiality and protect personal information at all times. This might involve using encrypted patient portals or limiting the number of staff with access to sensitive data. It also might involve exercising discretion when discussing a patient’s case with colleagues or consultants, avoiding divulging identifiable details.