NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE FAQ

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is a holistic approach to achieving better health and sustainable wellness. We are trained to address the root cause of disease/illness rather than individual symptoms.

 

Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

  • Healing Power of Nature: Trust in the body’s inherent wisdom to heal itself.
     
  • Identify the Cause: Look beyond the symptoms to the underlying cause.
     
  • First Do No Harm: Utilize the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies.
     
  • Doctor as Teacher: Educate patients in the steps to achieving and maintaining health.
     
  • Treat the Whole Person: View the body as an integrated whole in all its physical and spiritual dimensions.
     
  • Prevention: Focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.

 

Naturopathic Doctors understand that the body has the unique ability to heal itself

Let’s take the example of a suture. A suture is put in place to bring two parts of skin/tissue back together. However, the skin/tissue repair is completely performed by the body. The suture is simply an aid in the process of healing.

Therefore, like a suture can help a deep cut heal faster, the therapies and treatments Naturopathic Doctors use aid the body’s natural ability to heal itself. These treatments include diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and natural therapies (nutritional supplementation, botanical medicine, homeopathy, etc.).

 

Naturopathic Doctors understand that everyone is different

We inherently understand that each person is unique and therefore prepare individualized recommendations.

Read this article to learn more about who Naturopathic Doctors are & what they do. 

 

How are Naturopathic Doctors Trained?

  • Completion of a four-year undergraduate program, followed by four years at one of the seven accredited naturopathic medical schools.
     
  • The education encompasses basic medical sciences, clinical medical sciences, naturopathic principles and therapeutics, and 1500+ hours of supervised clinical experience. Click here to learn more about our training. 
     
  • Similar to MD’s and DO’s, ND’s must pass part 1 of a rigorous board examination (NPLEX) after the completion of second year and pass part 2 after graduation. NPLEX tests both knowledge of medical sciences as well as clinical skills. Passing both parts leads to licensure as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

 

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