In a world dominated by modern medicine, naturopathic therapy is emerging as a compelling alternative. It is based on six core principles: the healing power of nature, identify and treat the root cause, first do no harm, treating the whole person, doctor as teacher, and prevention as the best cure.
In the naturopathic tradition, the first step in treatment is to remove any obstacles that stand in the way of healing. This may include poor diet, stress, destructive coping mechanisms, lack of sleep, and other factors that lead to disease or hinder healing. This is a core naturopathic principle that can be addressed with therapies like acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and nutritional therapy. Contact Washington DC Naturopathic Medicine for specialized services.
A comprehensive naturopathic approach also addresses illness prevention strategies that reduce the number of doctor visits and illnesses. In addition, naturopathic physicians focus on the whole patient—physical, mental and spiritual—in their care, which is an important shift from the disease-focused model of conventional medicine.
As a result, patients feel more empowered to take responsibility for their health and wellness in integrative medicine. This is facilitated by a trust-based relationship between physician and patient and the emphasis on holistic treatment. Patients are encouraged to seek practitioners who have a strong education and credentials in their field. They are advised to check out resources that provide directories of qualified practitioners, such as professional organizations.
Unfortunately, some naturopaths are aggressively lobbying for laws to allow them to use the title “physician” and claim to be primary care doctors. This is a political effort that masks the fact that their training and expertise is only a fraction of that of physicians who specialize in a particular area. For example, family physicians get seven years of medical school and residency training; neurologists receive eight; and rheumatologists and radiation oncologists spend nine.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are licensed to prescribe medications including vitamin and mineral supplements, narcotics, endocrine modulators, and some minor surgical procedures. They are trained to assess potentially harmful drug/herb interactions and can offer educational support for patients and their physicians about the appropriate use of these treatments. In some cases, naturopaths will refer patients to an MD for life-threatening or medically complex situations that are outside of their scope of practice.
Research is needed to confirm the efficacy of naturopathic medicine, particularly in the areas of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. As the AMA points out, it is critical that any claims about the benefits of naturopathic treatment are based on evidence that is comparable to that obtained through large-scale controlled trials.
Disease Prevention
Unlike conventional medicine that focuses on disease treatment, naturopathic medicine promotes and supports healthy living through preventive measures. This holistic approach recognizes that our bodies and minds are interconnected, and focuses on identifying the underlying causes of disease.
Naturopaths believe in the body’s ability to heal itself, and they prioritize utilizing the least invasive, toxic therapies in order to help patients achieve wellness. They also recognize that a patient’s unique situation can influence their healing journey, so they take the time to learn about each individual and their health history in order to provide the best care possible.
Early naturopaths understood that the life force that made up nature and the universe flowed through all living things. They believed that when this force was dislocated, it caused illness. They sought to restore the body’s vital force through natural means such as diet, water treatments, rest, sunshine and fasting.
While naturopaths are often misrepresented as medical doctors, their education and training falls several years and thousands of hours short of what physicians receive. They do not undergo the rigorous scientific medical training and supervised hands-on experience required to be a medical doctor, and are not licensed by the state to prescribe medications or perform surgeries.
In spite of this, there is an increasing number of studies supporting the effectiveness of naturopathic medicines. For example, a recent study found that acupuncture reduces pain and swelling in knee joint sufferers, while an older study showed that the herbal remedies devil’s claw, white willow bark and cayenne can effectively relieve pain. Other naturopathic treatments that have shown promise include therapeutic ultrasound, which may benefit patellofemoral pain syndrome and TENS, which can aid in pain management.
Naturopathic researchers are working to establish a credible scientific basis for the practice, and naturopathic doctors continue to strive toward excellence in patient care. They are committed to the six guiding principles of naturopathy, including First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere), and recognizing that the body has an innate wisdom in its healing process. They are also conducting contextual research that examines the naturopathic doctor-patient relationship and the effects of naturopathic treatments on a patient’s wellbeing.
Personalized Care
When naturopathic physicians develop treatment plans, they take many factors into account. These include the patient’s personal health history, symptoms, and goals, and also the doctor’s expertise in that area. For example, a naturopathic physician might choose to use riboflavin for headaches, because a randomized controlled trial has shown that it works. This is because a naturopathic physician believes that evidence from multiple sources is important in forming healthcare decisions.
This is in stark contrast to conventional medicine, which often uses a one-size-fits-all approach. For instance, a medical exam lasting 18 minutes is often insufficient time for most doctors to adequately examine patients’ underlying symptoms or ask about their lifestyle habits. The average naturopathic appointment lasts an hour, so NDs can get to know their patients and their concerns better.
During an appointment, a naturopathic physician will do a complete physical examination and may ask about your past health, diet, and stress levels. A naturopathic doctor will then work with you to create an individualized wellness plan that includes herbal medicine, dietary supplements, and other natural remedies.
Naturopathic physicians prioritize open communication and educate their patients to empower them to be proactive in their own healing journeys. By explaining the reasoning behind each naturopathic treatment, they teach their patients how to care for themselves and make healthy choices.
This comprehensive approach to healthcare is a key reason why naturopathic medicine can help patients find long-lasting relief from their symptoms and chronic conditions. It can also enhance the efficacy of traditional treatments, such as pharmacology or surgery.
But naturopathic medicine shouldn’t be used as an alternative to emergency care or for serious diseases that require surgery or prescription drugs. Instead, naturopathic medicine can be used to boost an individual’s immune system, reduce the risk of chronic illnesses, and help manage side effects of conventional medication. To do so, naturopathic doctors are trained to offer complementary treatments for existing conditions, such as using herbs for pain management or incorporating dietary changes to ease nausea during chemotherapy. They can also provide support during chronic illness, such as reducing fatigue or improving sleep patterns.
Patient Education
The naturopath’s first step in a patient visit is taking a thorough health history. She asks patients about their diet, exercise, stress, and environmental exposures at home and work. During this time, she may also suggest nutritional supplements that could help alleviate a specific issue or provide overall wellness benefits.
NDs are trained in Western medical sciences, but also study holistic approaches to therapy with an emphasis on disease prevention and promoting wellness. They are required to pass licensing exams and adhere to specific practice standards, ensuring professionalism and competency. They also receive training in disciplines such as clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine and counseling.
A naturopath uses these principles to create treatment plans that are unique to each patient. These individualized treatments focus on the root causes of the disease and aim to restore balance to the body. They can help you address digestive issues, rebalance hormones, manage fertility issues and treat autoimmune disorders.
Naturopaths also focus on patient education. They believe that teaching patients how to prevent and manage their conditions will help them improve not only their physical well-being, but also their emotional state and mood. This is why they encourage patients to eat healthy, exercise regularly and reduce stress.
In addition, naturopaths believe that the body has innate wisdom to heal itself. This is why naturopaths are trained to use the least invasive and most natural therapies possible. They follow the philosophy of First, Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere).
Some naturopaths claim to be primary care providers and advocate for scope of practice expansion that would allow them to prescribe controlled substances. The AMA has created hundreds of advocacy tools to educate policymakers on the facts about naturopaths, and how their training falls short of what physicians get.