What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct method of primary health care - an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness. Naturopathic physicians seek to restore and maintain optimum health in their patients by emphasizing nature's inherent self-healing process, the vis medicatrix naturae. This is accomplished through education and the rational use of natural therapeutics.
Who are Naturopathic Doctors (NDs)?
- Naturopathic doctors are doctors who specialize in science-based natural medicine.
- NDs make every attempt to use the most natural treatments possible, however NDs are trained to recognize the need for conventional therapies in certain situations.
- NDs work collaboratively with conventional physicians and refer patients as appropriate.
- NDs also have knowledge in drug/nutrient interactions and drug/herb interactions.
Are Naturopathic Doctors new?
- No, the first U.S. naturopathic society was formed in 1896. Naturopathic medicine has been continuously licensed in Connecticut since 1908.
- There are currently 14 states, two U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C. that license naturopathic doctors.
What is their training?
- Naturopathic doctors complete a Doctorate of naturopathic medicine (ND) earned from a four-year, graduate level, federally and regionally accredited naturopathic medical school.
- The curriculum of these schools is similar to conventional medical school in terms of basic sciences and clinical courses. Clinical studies concentrate on conventional diagnostic studies, scientifically-based natural therapeutics, as well as supervised clinical training.
- Naturopathic schools are accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), the only programmatic accrediting agency for naturopathic medicine recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education, as well as through regional education accrediting agencies.
What are NDs trained to do?
- Naturopathic training includes, but is not limited to: physical examinations, laboratory testing, clinical and physical diagnosis, pharmacology, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and nutritional supplementation.
Is there a demand?
- More than 80 million Americans turn to complementary and/or alternative medicine every year.
- A Harvard Medical School survey found that 68 percent of adults have used at least one form of CAM therapy.
Is naturopathic medicine cost-effective?
- Yes, because it focuses on prevention, patient involvement, noninvasive methods and appropriate use of technology.
- A landmark study released in September 2004 at a congressional hearing found potential cost savings resulting from daily use of calcium and folic acid could save $15 billion in health care costs.
Is it safe?
- Yes, the licensed naturopathic profession has an extraordinary safety record. An examination of malpractice insurance rating scales for claims shows naturopathic physicians have the lowest incidence of malpractice claims of all licensed primary health care professions.
Why is licensure important?
- Licensure will allow NDs to practice as trained, namely to diagnose and treat disease using naturopathic principles.
- By establishing licensure for naturopathic physicians, the public can be assured of the physician-level naturopathic medical training of these healthcare professionals
- Licensure sets minimum standards for the educational and training qualifications for being a qualified naturopathic doctor so that the public can make informed choices regarding their natural healthcare.
Are there reliable websites?
- Yes. Start with the official website of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians: www.naturopathic.org and the website for the Illinois Association of Naturopathic Physicians: www.ilanp.org