Health & Fitness
What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
Whether or not you've heard of naturopathic medicine, this post may help you to gain a better understanding of what it is, and how it can play a role in your life.
Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) teach their patients to use diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and cutting edge natural therapies to enhance their bodies’ ability to ward off and combat disease. NDs view the patient as a complex, interrelated system (a whole person), not as a single disease or symptom. Naturopathic physicians craft comprehensive treatment plans that blend the best of modern medical science and traditional natural medical approaches to not only treat disease, but to also restore health.
Steeped in traditional healing methods, principles and practices, naturopathic medicine focuses on holistic, proactive prevention and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment. By using protocols that minimize the risk of harm, naturopathic physicians help facilitate the body’s inherent ability to restore and maintain optimal health. It is the naturopathic physician’s role to identify and remove barriers to good health by helping to create a healing internal and external environment.
NDs treat all medical conditions, providing both individual and family health care. Among the most common ailments they treat are allergies, chronic pain, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, obesity, respiratory conditions, heart disease, fertility problems, menopause, adrenal fatigue, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. NDs are trained to utilize prescription drugs, although the emphasis of naturopathic medicine is the use of natural healing agents.
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Naturopathic doctors must undergo extensive training at accredited naturopathic medical schools, where they learn the same basic and clinical sciences as medical doctors, along with natural therapeutics. They are also required to pass national board certification tests before being granted a license to practice in their respective state. Being trained in both the conventional and holistic medical paradigms allows naturopathic physicians to practice truly individualized medicine.
