What is Naturopathic Medicine Education Principles Resources
 What is Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct profession of primary health care, emphasizing
prevention, treatment and the promotion of optimal health through the use
of therapeutic methods and modalities, which encourage the self-healing process.
A Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) has
completed a postgraduate medical education specializing in primary
care natural medicine. Naturopathic
doctors are distinct
from acupuncturists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and medical doctors. They
are uniquely trained to provide a comprehensive and integrated
approach to assist
your body's innate healing processes. Naturopathic doctors are skilled in
diagnosis and treatment of disease utilizing natural therapeutics
including clinical
nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, and hydrotherapy.
They tailor these approaches to the needs of each individual patient. Naturopathic
medicine is effective in treating most health problems, whether acute or
chronic. Naturopathic doctors cooperate with all other branches
within the medical field,
referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when
appropriate.
Education
As with all physicians today, Naturopathic doctors are trained at accredited,
four to five-year, post-graduate, medical institutions. The training consists
of a comprehensive study of the conventional medical sciences, including anatomy,
physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, clinical and physical diagnosis,
laboratory diagnosis, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, etc, as well
as detailed study of a wide variety of natural therapies. In their last two
years of their intensive clinical training, they learn how to integrate the
principles of naturopathic medicine into clinical practice.
 Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent ability in the body which is ordered
and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles
to recovery and to facilitate and augment this healing ability.
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes
of illness, rather than to eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient:
1) utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful
side effects; 2) avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms;
3) acknowledge and respect the individual's healing process, using the least
force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Naturopathic physicians educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility
for health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient
relationship.
Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into account physical,
mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors. Since total health
also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals
to pursue their personal spiritual path. »» Go to top
Prevention
Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors
and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions
to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world
in which humanity may thrive.
 Wellness
Wellness follows the establishment and maintenance of optimum health and balance.
Wellness is a state of being healthy, characterized by positive emotion, thought
and action. Wellness is inherent in everyone, no matter what is-ease(s) is/are
being experienced. If wellness is really recognized and experienced by an individual,
it will more quickly heal a given disease than direct treatment of the is-ease
alone.
Resources
For More information about Naturopathic Medicine, please try the following
links:
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
The California Naturopathic Doctors Association
The Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine
Bastyr University
Caution: Some persons who identify themselves as “NDs” are
generally not licensable in any state. Make sure your practitioner
is licensed, a graduate
of an accredited naturopathic medical college, or a member of the American
Association of Naturopathic Physicians. »» Go to top
Whitewater Naturopathic Medical Clinic •
1097 East Main Street Suite C • Grass Valley, CA 95945 •
(530) 271-7123
content©2005 Whitewater Naturopathic design©2005
Masa Uehara
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