Definition Of Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care; an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness. Naturopathic medicine is distinguished by the principles which underlie and determine its practice:  First Do No Harm; Doctor as Teacher; Treat the Cause; Treat the Whole Person; Utilize The Healing Power of Nature;  Prevention is the Best Cure.
These principles are based upon the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in the light of scientific advances. Methods used are consistent with these principles and are chosen upon the basis of patient individuality. Naturopathic doctors are primary health care practitioners, whose diverse techniques include modern and traditional, scientific and empirical methods.

Definition of a Naturopathic Doctor

Diagnoses, treats, and cares for patients, using system of practice that bases treatment of physiological functions and abnormal conditions on natural laws governing human body: Utilizes physiological, psychological, and mechanical methods, such as air, water, light, heat, earth, phytotherapy, food and herb therapy, psychotherapy, electrotherapy, physiotherapy, minor surgery, mechanotherapy, naturopathic corrections and manipulation,  together with natural medicines.  Excludes major surgery, therapeutic use of x-ray and radium,  except those assimilable substances containing elements or compounds of body tissues that are physiologically compatible to body processes for maintenance of life.
 

 Education & Training

After completing a bachelor's degree, naturopathic doctors then attend one of the five accredited naturopathic medical schools in North America.  The four year curriculum includes courses in basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, as well as clinical sciences such as cardiology, rheumatology and radiology.  Students also take classes in the history of medicine as well as philosophy.
Two years and over 1200 hours of clinical training are spent working under the supervision of M.D.'s, D.O.'s and N.D.'s  incorporating the therapeutic use of homeopathy, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy and physical medicine to name a few.  Using these methods, health can be restored from the inside out without the use of pharmaceutical drugs or surrogates.  Thus, naturopathic doctors can provide solutions for conditions that conventional medicine fails to treat effectively. 

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 Licensing Information

Licensing laws for naturopathic doctors (ND & NMD) currently exist in 14 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 12 Canadian provinces.  ND's are required to graduate from a four year residential naturopathic medical school and then pass 3 days of extensive national board exams in order to apply for a license.  ND's are also subject to review by a state board of examiners.
In states that license ND's, patients are able to choose ND's as primary care providers who are capable of diagnosing, preventing and treating disease with an array of supportive, natural medicines.  Naturopathic doctors are experts in drug/nutrient and drug/herb interactions.
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) supports legislation to license ND's in all 50 states in order to distinguish properly trained doctors from those individuals with dubious credentials and/or mail order degrees.  AANP membership is limited to individuals who are eligible for licensure in states which issue licenses, have graduated from a recognized school and have completed national board exams.

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