What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Did you know, in the 1920’s, before the explosion of modern medicine, naturopathic medicine had over twenty medical schools and 10,000 practitioners nationwide, and we were licensed in most all states. Our profession experienced a massive decline in the ‘40s and ’50s with the rise of pharmaceutical drugs and the idea that they could eliminate all diseases. All but one of our universities were closed down and we lost licensure. It was in the 70s that our resurgence began. I believe this came about because people realized there was more to health than a pill. Although we are grateful for the knowledge surgeons and conventional medical doctors provide, there is truth to the phrase, “too much of a good thing”.
Heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune disease (among many others) are on the rise. Our country is in need, and they need more doctors like US. Doctors with compassion, an in depth knowledge of biological processes AND spiritual and emotional health. We have so much to offer our patients. With the foundations of health addressed, we can make a difference in all those suffering from disease.
Despite what some may think of us, we are not quacks, hippies, or tree huggers (well, maybe some of us). We are healers, educators, we bring hope to the broken, we light a way for those in the dark. Please do not let our society and our current medical establishment fool you… We are not the alternative. We provide education for lasting change. We, as naturopathic doctors, are the future of medicine. I believe we are paving the way to a brighter future, where we will again have over 20 universities, more than 10,000 naturopathic practitioners, and licensure nationwide. We are history in the making.
Principles:
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Naturopathic medicine recognizes the body's inherent ability to heal itself. Naturopathic physicians identify and remove obstacles to recovery to facilitate this healing ability in patients.
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Use methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects;
Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms;
Acknowledge and respect the individual's healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Naturopathic physicians educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.
Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual path.
Prevention
Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.
Wellness
Wellness follows the establishment and maintenance of optimum health and balance. Wellness is a state of being healthy, characterized by positive emotion, thought and action. Wellness is inherent in everyone, regardless of disease(s). If wellness is recognized and experienced by an individual, it will more quickly heal a given disease than direct treatment of the disease alone.
Modalities:
Clinical Nutrition
Botanical Medicine (Herbalism)
Homeopathic Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture
Physical Medicine
Hydrotherapy – Water Cure
Prevention and Lifestyle Counselling
Hygiene Therapy
Nature Cure
Accredited schools in USA and Canada: “The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education accredits four-year, campus-based doctoral programs in naturopathic medicine (ND programs) that qualify graduates for licensure in the U.S. and Canada. CNME does not accredit online ND programs, and these programs do not qualify individuals for licensure.”
Current accredited programs: Bastyr University Kenmore and San Diego Campuses, National University of Naturopathic Medicine, Southwest College Natural Medicine, University of Bridgeport College of Natural Medicine, National University of Health Sciences, Boucher, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
For more information on accredited school, Please visit: https://cnme.org/accredited-programs/
There are many schools marketing themselves as Naturopathic Medical Schools, but do not hold accreditation from CNME. Therefor, those who graduate from these programs cannot practice medicine and cannot refer to themselves as Naturopathic doctors or physicians in licensed states. Some of these programs are online schools and some of them learn only the traditional naturopathic modalities, while omitting proper diagnostic skills including physical exam and laboratory interpretation, as well as biochemistry, physiology and pharmacology. The two forms of education are not created equal. An accredited university is a 4 year doctoral program, while some of the non-accredited schools are 1-2 years. Although the two may not have an equivalent education, I believe they both still hold their rightful places in natural medicine. We have enough room for both professions to practice along side each other in harmony and learn a lot from each other. Once a state has gained licensure, those who have not graduated from an accredited school and passed Part I and Part II board examination, can no longer practice as a “doctor” or “practitioner” , they must then refer to themselves as a Naturopath. However, their scope remains the same. And ironically enough, their scope is the same as mine, while working in an unlicensed state. Even though I have been to 5 years of school, passed both board exams, and hold licensure in another state.
Board examinations:
The Part I – Biomedical Science Examination (BSE) is an integrated examination that consists of 200 items which cover the topics of anatomy, physiology, biochemistry & genetics, microbiology & immunology, and pathology. The examination is administered in 2 sessions (morning and afternoon) of 2½ hours each.
The Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination (CCSE) is an integrated, case-based examination that consists of approximately 80 case clusters (400 items) which cover the topics of diagnosis (physical, clinical, and lab diagnosis, and diagnostic imaging), materia medica (botanical medicine and homeopathy), other treatment modalities (nutrition, physical medicine, health psychology, and research), and medical interventions (emergency medicine, medical procedures, public health, and pharmacology). This examination is administered in three sections over the course of 3 days (3½ hours each day).
Licensed states:
What we are able to do in unlicensed states such as Louisiana:
Well, the bottom line is I cannot “practice medicine”. The term “practicing medicine” refers to: diagnose or cure an illness or injury, prescribing drugs, performing surgery. This means any patient I see must also have their own primary care provider that will provide diagnoses (labs/ physical exam), medications, and minor surgeries. Essentially, our job is to listen to your intake, read through your previous medical records, and to offer alternative solutions to your current condition using any of the modalities mentioned above. I may not be able to make a diagnosis, but I can have my own “impression” of the state of your illness. I find this relieving honestly, since I am not fond of how patients identify with a diagnosis (as if it becomes their identity). In other words, instead of saying “John, you have Ulcerative colitis”, I may say, “John, your immune system in your gut has begun attacking itself”. I feel this approach is more beneficial for a patient’s psyche anyway! The sad part about not being able to “practice”, is that I am unable to order diagnostic laboratory test or perform physical exams; both of which I love to do. However, many people are being transformed through natural medicine all over the world, without any of these “standards of practicing medicine”. Until we are licensed in all 50 states, we will continue to do so… and very effectively I might add.
