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Naturopathic medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to health and healing, the origins of which can be traced back thousands of years. Many attribute the beginnings of naturopathic medicine to Europe. Both health restoration and disease treatment are emphasized in naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medicine views disease as a product of problems with the body's natural healing response. Currently, 11 US states, Puerto Rico, five Canadian provinces, and parts of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand license practitioners of naturopathic medicine.

When a naturopathic practitioner is certified they are regarded as primary care physicians with the authority to diagnose, treat, and care for patients with medical conditions. Those without certification are unable to diagnose and treat medical conditions. Certified practitioners of naturopathic medicine use air, water, heat, earth, phytotherapy (plant therapy), electrotherapy, minor surgery, and other therapies to treat all physiological functions and abnormal conditions a patient may suffer.

Common naturopathic medicine treatments include: diet modification, herbal medicine , nutritional supplements, Chinese medicine (including acupuncture ), massage, water therapy, and lifestyle counseling. Naturopathic medicine practitioners may possess specialized training for natural childbirth care and midwifery.

There are six principles which guide naturopathic medicine practice in North America:

1. Nature has the power to heal.
2. Identification and treatment are focused on the cause of disease.
3. "First do no harm"
4. The practitioner as both a doctor and a teacher.
5. Treatment concentrates on the whole person.
6. Preventing illness and injury.

If you are interested in learning more about naturopathic medicine, you may want to find out if your state or location offers licensing for naturopathic doctors (NDs). These physicians go through rigorous training and clinical practice to become licensed to practice naturopathic medicine.

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