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Naturopathic Medicine

Although the term " Naturopathy " originated in the late 19th century, the art can be traced back through Germany into Greece, to Hippocrates himself, and even beyond.  Naturopathy is an eclectic compilation of doctrines and practices of natural healing, as well as a way of life, and a concept of employing various practical holistic means of preventing and treating human imbalance and suffering. The capacity of the body-mind to heal itself is the central tenet of Naturopathy.

Naturopathic medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to improving health and treating illness.    Focusing on prevention, and using natural substances and treatments, naturopathic doctors (NDs) support and stimulate the body's ability to heal itself.

The primary goal of naturopathy is to address the cause of illness, rather than simply treat or suppress symptoms. The patient is seen as a whole person and the  naturopathic physician takes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions into account when diagnosing and developing a treatment plan.

The primary therapies used by naturopathic doctors are:

• clinical nutrition
• botanical medicine
• hydrotherapy
• homeopathic medicine
• naturopathic manipulations
• acupuncture and oriental medicine
• prevention & lifestyle counseling

A visit to a Naturopathic Doctor

The goal of the naturopathic doctor is to understand the patient and all the factors which impact on his of her physical health.  The doctor of naturopathy will take an in-depth patient history.  In addition, the information from the physical exam and laboratory tests may assist in making an assessment and diagnosis.

A personal treatment plan will then be proposed to help facilitate the patient's healing process.

Safety of Naturopathic Medicine

The safety record for naturopathic medicine is excellent.  This makes sense given the emphasis on non-toxic, natural source medicines and gentle, non-invasive treatments.  Side effects are rare, and naturopathic doctors are knowledgeable about contraindications between naturopathic remedies and conventional medicines.  In addition, naturopathic doctors are trained to recognize conditions which are outside their scope of practice, and to refer patients with those symptoms to other health practitioners when it is appropriate to do so.

Scientific Basis of Naturopathic Medicine

Thousands of modern clinical studies have validated a variety of natural medicines used by naturopathic doctors.  Echinacea for the immune system and St. John's Wort for depression are just two examples.  Naturopathic schools encourage and facilitate research into the discovery and use of more natural medicines.

It is important to note that, since most naturopathic remedies are not patentable, manufacturers find little financial incentive to undertake costly scientific studies.  As a consequence, funding from independent sources is essential for scientific validation of naturopathic treatments.

Reference:
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
Canadian Naturopathic Association
Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors