What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is rooted in the belief that the human body has an innate ability to maintain and restore health. The goal of naturopathic medicine is to optimize health by following a unique set of principles that recognize the body’s healing capacity, emphasize disease prevention and encourage responsibility for one’s own health.
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are trained as primary care physicians and in the broadest scope of naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic doctors who graduate from an accredited school receive and N.D. degree- Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine. Today, there are seven accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America. In addition to completing a rigorous modern medical science and diagnostics education, NDs are trained in the philosophy and therapeutics of naturopathic medicine, including nutritional therapy, botanical medicine, naturopathic physical medicine, homeopathy and hydrotherapy.
With this extensive, integrative medical training, Naturopathic physicians are equipped to craft comprehensive treatment plans that blend the best of modern medical science and traditional natural medical approaches. When possible, naturopathic doctors choose the least invasive therapies with the fewest, if any, side effects.
Naturopathic medicine is unique by its philosophy and guiding principles:
- First, Do No Harm
- Treat the Whole Person
- Treat the Cause
- Use the Healing Power of Nature
- Doctor as Teacher
- Emphasize Preventative Medicine