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About Naturopathic Medicine: Principles, Therapies and Training
What Is Naturopathic
Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct, unique and comprehensive
approach to disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention utilizing
nature-based therapies. The primary focus is to provide the
least invasive, most efficacious, non-toxic therapies that address
the cause of illness, not simply the suppression of symptoms.
The natural healing tradition is ancient, stemming from before
the time of Hippocrates. Naturopathic medicine draws upon this
historic, therapeutic knowledge and combines it with modern,
science-based medical research. Naturopathic physicians maintain
an open-minded perspective allowing for the use of any therapy,
old or new, as long as it adheres to the core philosophy and
principles of Naturopathic medicine.
Principles and Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine
These principles form the characteristic foundation and core
of Naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic physicians aim to integrate
every one of these principles into all aspects of diagnosis
and treatment.
- The
Healing Power of Nature
(Vis Medicatrix Naturae):
In every living organism there exists an inherent ability
of the body, mind and spirit to heal itself. Naturopathic
physicians stimulate this innate healing power by using
methods that are in harmony with this natural process.
- First Do No Harm
(Primum Non Nocere):
Naturopathic physicians choose the least invasive, most
non-toxic treatment that will restore health. This minimizes
harmful side effects and avoids the simple suppression
of symptoms.
- Identify and Treat the
Cause of Disease (Tolle Causam):
Whereas conventional medicine focuses on alleviating
symptoms, Naturopathic medicine uses these symptoms
as a guide to identify the underlying cause of illness.
It is only through removal of the cause that complete
health can be restored.
- Treat the Whole Person:
Disease process results from a complex interaction of
mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, genetic, social
and environmental factors. Naturopathic physicians consider
all of these factors in each patient, in order to most
optimally individualize treatment of the whole person.
- Emphasize Prevention:
At no other time in history has preventive medicine
been so critical to one's health as it is today. In
today's world, more stressors are impinging upon our
lives than ever before, from hectic lifestyles to toxins
present in our food, air and water. Naturopathic Physicians
teach their patients how to avoid these stressors, thereby
helping them maximize health and prevent chronic disease.
- Doctor as Teacher (Docere):
Naturopathic Physicians act as guides for their patients,
empowering them to take responsibility for their own
health. As teachers, they help the patient fully understand
their disease process and the rationale for treatments
prescribed.
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Naturopathic Physician
Training
Naturopathic physicians are the primary care, general practitioners
of natural medicine. As in conventional medical school, applicants
must show competency in specific, pre-medical requirements before
being accepted to a U.S. Department of Education accredited
Naturopathic medical school. After acceptance, N.D. candidates
complete a rigorous, four-year academic and clinical program.
This program combines the study of western medical sciences
(such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology,
clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, cardiology,
gastroenterology, gynecology, etc.,) with Naturopathic therapeutics
and philosophy.
Training also includes an applied, clinical apprenticeship during
the last two years. Naturopathic physicians must then pass standardized,
federal and state licensing exams in order to obtain a license
in those states that offer licensure.
Natural Therapies Utilized by
Naturopathic Physicians
Clinical Nutrition:
Nowadays it is common knowledge that diet and nutrition affect
health. Naturopathic Physicians not only teach the components
of a healthy diet but also recommend dietary changes and nutritional
supplementation that are specific to a particular condition.
Botanical (Herbal) Medicine:
Herbal remedies have been used by all cultures since the beginning
of time. Many modern pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plants,
but the plants are altered, refined, and synthetically produced.
Naturopathic Physicians believe the unaltered, natural form
of the plant provides the most desirable medicinal response
with fewer to no side effects.
Homeopathy:
Homeopathy is a form of medicine that utilizes dilute, potentized
remedies made from plant, animal and mineral substances. It
is based on two fundamental principles:
-
The greater the dilution of a remedy
the more powerful is its medicinal effects.
-
Like cures like, which means a dilute,
potentized substance will produce the same symptoms
as the disease when given to a healthy person.
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Lifestyle
Counseling:
Naturopathic Physicians help you identify, set and achieve goals
to create a healthy lifestyle and diet as well as avoid environmental
risk factors. They are trained to foster the therapeutic relationship
through active, empathic listening, identifying major and minor
psychological issues and employing treatment.
Hydrotherapy:
Hydrotherapy is an ancient method of treatment using water in
any of its forms (hot or cold, ice or steam) to treat a wide
range of disease conditions. Naturopathic Physicians are trained
in a broad variety of hydrotherapy techniques including sauna,
immersion bath, hot/cold packs, colonic irrigation, sitz bath,
shower, etc.
Naturopathic Physician's Oath
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dedicate myself to the service of humanity as a
practitioner of the art and science of Naturopathic medicine.
I will honor my teachers and all who have preserved and
developed this knowledge, and dedicate myself to supporting
the growth and evolution of Naturopathic medicine.
I will endeavor to continually improve my abilities as
a healer
through study, reflection, and genuine concern for humanity.
I will impart knowledge of the advanced healing
arts to dedicated colleagues and students.
Through precept, lecture, and example, I will assist
and encourage others to strengthen their health,
reduce risks for disease, and preserve the health of
our planet for ourselves, our families, and future generations.
According to my best ability and judgment, I will use
methods
of treatment, which follow the principles of Naturopathic
medicine:
• First of all, to do no harm.
• To act in cooperation with the Healing Power of
Nature.
• To address the fundamental causes of disease.
• To heal the whole person through individualized
treatment.
• To teach the principles of healthy living and
preventive medicine.
I will conduct my life and
the practice of Naturopathic health
care with vigilance, integrity, and freedom from prejudice.
I will abstain from voluntary acts of injustice and corruption.
I will keep confidential whatever I am privileged to witness,
whether professionally or privately, that should not be
divulged.
With my whole heart, before this gathering of witnesses,
as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine,
I pledge to remain true to this
oath.
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