Naturopathy is a system of therapy and treatment which relies exclusively on natural remedies, such as sunlight, air, water, supplemented with diet and therapies such as massage. However, some naturopaths have been known to prescribe such unnatural treatments as colon hydrotherapy for such diseases as asthma and arthritis.

Naturopathy is based on the belief that the body is self-healing. The body will repair itself and recover from illness spontaneously if it is in a healthy environment. Naturopaths have many remedies and recommendations for creating a healthy environment so the body can spontaneously heal itself.

Naturopaths prefer to use natural remedies such as herbs and foods rather than surgery or synthetic drugs. Graduates of a naturopathic medical school in North America are trained to use diagnostic tests such as imaging and blood tests before deciding upon the full course of treatment. If the patient does not respond to these treatments, they are generally referred to physicians who utilize standard medical care to treat the disease or condition. Within the United States, some states allow naturopathic doctors to prescribe pharmaceutical medicines and perform minor surgeries.

The foundation of Naturopathic medicine is the vitalistic philosophy of the “healing power of nature.” This means that within every human organism there is a healing energy, which includes our immune system in the fuller sense of both the physical and the psyche, which is responsible for our wellness and our ability to heal and maintain health.

Following this first premise is the second, that the therapies used to support and stimulate this healing power of nature must be in “the gentlest, least invasive, most efficient manner possible”.

The third Naturopathic premise is “to diagnose and treat the cause”. Naturopaths do not simply treat the manifestation of the disease but rather search for the cause and treat it.

To accomplish these goals, Naturopathic medicine incorporates many therapeutic modalities: herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutrition, hydrotherapy, food, exercise therapy, physical therapy, manipulation of the bony and soft tissues, lifestyle and counseling. Additionally, some Naturopaths elect to continue their education to receive a license to practice natural childbirth.

What is Naturopathic Nutrition?

Naturopathic Nutrition stresses the use of whole and organic foods as medicine - an integral concept of healing in many indigenous societies. Today, we see that a return to chemical-free foods, along with other dietary measures, is an effective answer to many health complaints and common conditions.

Thousands of years ago, master healers in China perceived a way to classify food and disease according to simple, easily observed patterns; one eats cooling foods for overheated conditions, and warming foods are best for people who feel too cold. Detoxifying foods are for those who carry an excess of toxins, and building foods are good for deficient persons, and so on.

The traditional Chinese and East Indian Ayurvedic systems have been used with pinpoint accuracy to diagnose disease conditions, and to categorise foods as medicine.

Naturopathic doctors use a wide variety of treatment modalities. The core set of interventions defined by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and taught at all seven accredited schools in North America includes:

  • botanical medicine
  • homeopathy
  • nutrition
  • physical medicine (includes naturopathic, osseous and soft tissue manipulative therapy, physiotherapy, sports medicine, therapeutic exercise and hydrotherapy)
  • psychological counseling
  • nature cure
  • acupuncture and oriental medicine
  • medical procedures
  • emergency medicine
  • emergency drugs
  • minor surgery

Internationally, Naturopathic medicine has both popularity and acceptance with the Conventional and Naturopathic doctor working in a more integrative manner. Much of our research comes from countries that will fund studies in which there will not be a patentable product. Hopefully, that situation will change in the United States and individuals can chose the type of medical care best for them.

Sources: Naturo Pathy, Skepdic

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