Naturopathic Medicine
What is Naturopathic Medicine? (The Practice)
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct, comprehensive system of healthcare emphasizing the use of natural therapies in health promotion and disease prevention
Naturopathic physicians are trained as integrative doctors who emphasize the use of natural therapies to treat acute and chronic illnesses and to provide preventative treatment to individuals as families.
Naturopathic physicians diagnose by taking thorough histories, performing physical examinations and ordering laboratory tests. Naturopathic physicians use a variety of natural and non-invasive therapies, including:
- clinical nutrition
- nutritional supplementation
- herbal medicine
- homeopathy
- lifestyle counseling
- physical medicine and hydrotherapy.
Naturopathic physicians also have expertise in drug/herb/nutrient interactions. Many naturopathic physicians receive additional certification in disciplines such as midwifery, acupuncture and Oriental medicine.
Naturopathic physicians work in private practice or in integrated settings with other medical providers such as conventional medical doctors and osteopathic physicians. The result is a patient-centered, comprehensive approach that provides the most appropriate treatment for an individual’s needs. Naturopathic physicians educate patients about why they are unwell and provide the tools for achieving optimal health.
What states have established licensure for Naturopathic Physicians?
Currently, 14 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have licensing laws for naturopathic physicians.
States/Territories that recognize NDs
AK, AR, WA, CA, CT,DC, HI, ID, KS, ME,MT, NH, OR, UT, VT, WA, PR, U.S.V.I.
Since regulation of naturopathic medicine in Kansas, naturopathic physicians from that state have been invited to join hospitals and teach in medical schools. This is evidence of the growing demand within the medical community for the expertise of naturopathic physicians.
Several other states are actively moving toward licensure of naturopathic physicians. Those states include Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado, New Mexico and Massachusetts.