What is it? What can it do for you?
The foundation of Naturopathic medicine is the vitalistic philosophy of the healing power of nature. This means that within every living organism there is a healing force, which is responsible for the ability to heal and regain or maintain wellness. Naturopathic physicians believe that all true healing is a result of this principle.
A second fundamental principal is that the therapies used in naturopathic medicine support and stimulate the healing power of nature in the most gentle and least invasive manner possible.
Naturopathic Physicians (N.D.) are trained to serve as primary care general practitioners who are experts in the prevention, diagnosis, management, and treatment of both acute and chronic health conditions. They are educated in conventional medical sciences, but are not orthodox medical doctors (allopathic physicians, or M.D.). A Naturopathic Physician has a Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine degree from a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical college. In addition to the standard medical curriculum, naturopathic students must do extensive coursework and clinical study in natural therapeutics. Some of the modalities which Naturopathic Physicians utilize are diet, herbal medicine, nutritional supplements, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, exercise therapy, various forms of physical medicine, energetic modalities, lifestyle modifications and counseling. |
