What is Naturopathic Medicine
ecinacea flower graphic Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of primary healthcare recently licensed by the State of California. While naturopathic medicine is new to California, it has existed as a licensed health care profession in thirteen other states and two US territories for many years. Licensure as a Naturopathic Doctor requires a minimum of eight years of college and graduate level education, including four years at an accredited naturopathic medical school and successful completion of rigorous licensing examinations.

Naturopathic medicine is unique among licensed health care professions in that it combines expert knowledge of standard medical science, diagnostics and therapeutics with a broad knowledge of natural therapeutics and a commitment to identifying and treating the cause of disease so that the patient is returned to a true state of health.

Some of the therapies used by Naturopathic Doctors include diet and nutrition therapies, botanical medicines, homeopathy, manual therapies, hydrotherapy and health and lifestyle counseling. NDs can write prescriptions for some pharmaceuticals, including bio-identical hormones, but use them sparingly as equal or better results can usually be achieved with natural therapies. They can also order lab tests and imaging studies as appropriate and they regularly refer to specialists when needed.

Naturopathic diagnosis and treatment is based on six guiding principles:

First, Do No Harm

We use therapies that are as conservative and gentle as possible while still being effective. As a result, the use of drugs and surgery can often be avoided. Most of our therapies have no "side effects". In fact, because our therapies support health, many of them have "side benefits".

Identify and Treat the Cause

We do not take symptoms at face value. We seek to understand and treat the underlying factors that result in a patient's symptoms. By treating the cause of disease we can help elevate a patient to a new state of health rather than simply controlling their symptoms.

The Healing Power of Nature

The body demonstrates a remarkable ability to heal and maintain health. By working with and supporting that ability we can achieve optimum health, rather than simply using medicine to manage symptoms.

Treat the Whole Person

People are more than just their bodies. The stresses and traumas of life often impact health and affect the body's ability to heal. We take a person's life experience, emotional challenges and spiritual life into account when assessing a patient's health. When appropriate, we use a variety of gentle, non-invasive therapies to help restore balance.

Doctor as Teacher

We do more than just treat disease. We help our patients understand the processes that led to their illness, and the principles that will keep them healthy in the future.

Prevention

Consumers are bombarded with an overwhelming volume of health information, much of it conflicting and confusing. We seek to educate patients on straight forward, time proven principles that will help them to stay healthy.

For further information on naturopathic medicine and naturopathic medical education please try the following links:
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
The California Naturopathic Doctors Association
The Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine
National College of Naturopathic Medicine
Bastyr University