| Naturopathic medicine is the practice of promoting | | | | physicians in clinical and laboratory diagnosis, nutrition, |
| physical, mental, and spiritual health and wellbeing | | | | naturopathic physical medicine, botanical medicine, |
| through natural means. Naturopathic Schools offer a | | | | homeopathy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, mind/body |
| variety of courses that can culminate in college | | | | medicine, minor surgery, IV therapy, and in counseling |
| degrees ranging from Associate all the way to | | | | and stress management. They are specialists in |
| Doctorate. | | | | preventative medicine and natural therapeutics, and aid |
| Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine focus on natural | | | | their patients in taking on the responsibility of looking |
| ways of preventing illness and correcting ailments by | | | | after their own health by encouraging active |
| treating the entire person - body, mind, and spirit. | | | | participation in their own treatment and healthcare. |
| Fundamental principles or tenets of naturopathic | | | | Laws regarding naturopathic licensing vary from one |
| medicine include the healing power of nature, identifying | | | | state or province to the next, some having none. |
| and treating the causes of illness and disease, do no | | | | However, the North American Board of Naturopathic |
| harm, treating the whole person, considering the | | | | Medical Examiners (NABNE) administers examinations |
| physician as teacher, and prevention. | | | | for licensure that is recognized by most jurisdictions. |
| A Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND, MND) is a | | | | Licensure for naturopathic physicians is earned by |
| medical doctor who has obtained his or her education | | | | passing national and state/province board |
| from a four-year graduate level program in an | | | | examinations, after graduation from a four-year |
| accredited naturopathic medical health institution. The | | | | accredited naturopathic medical school graduate |
| first two years of naturopathic education are spent | | | | degree program. |
| very much the same as traditional medical doctors, i.e., | | | | Naturopathic physicians are trained to be |
| in studying the basic clinical sciences of anatomy, | | | | knowledgeable in diagnosis and treatment, and in |
| human physiology, human pathology, biochemistry, | | | | determining and promoting overall health. They are |
| immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology, etc., and | | | | interested in their patients as whole beings and in |
| laboratory courses that cover cadaver dissection, | | | | promoting health and wellness by the most natural |
| physical examinations, palpation, and manipulation. | | | | means possible. However, naturopathic physicians |
| Naturopathic medicine, however, also instructs in | | | | practice complementary medicine and refer their |
| Oriental medicine, such as hydrotherapy, microbiology, | | | | patients to allopathic specialists when conditions are |
| acupuncture, and herbal medicines. | | | | beyond the means of natural, non-invasive medicine. |
| Future Naturopathic Physicians complete their training | | | | NDs do not perform invasive surgery, perform X-rays, |
| as interns in two years of clinical practice under the | | | | prescribe medications, or practice techniques of MDs |
| supervision of licensed professionals, which may | | | | or ODs. |
| include the supervision of an allopathic Doctor of | | | | To learn more about Naturopathic Schools, search our |
| Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (OD). Clinical | | | | site for more in-depth information and resources. |
| rotations in hospitals provide extensive experience in | | | | DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and |
| responsibilities of diagnosis and treatment. | | | | may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and |
| In practice, Naturopathic Physicians apply therapies that | | | | or services associated with ANY ONE particular |
| meet individual patient needs, taking into consideration | | | | school(s) that is or is not advertised on |
| physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the patient. | | | | Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved by |
| Naturopathy is a complementary medicine, which is | | | | SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive |
| practiced in cooperation with traditional Western | | | | Communications, Inc. |
| medical professionals. Therefore, NDs refer their | | | | Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an |
| patients to allopathic medical doctors, surgeons, and | | | | ezine or website, provided the article is reprinted in its |
| medical specialists as needed. | | | | entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links |
| Naturopathic physicians are trained as primary care | | | | remain intact and active. |