What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Here at Purety Family Medical Clinic, our doctors are naturopathic doctors. We chose to have naturopathic doctors because we were searching for doctors who are experts in primary care as well as preventative medicine. Their entire education in school revolves around integrating the best of western and natural medicine to provide superior patient care. In California, naturopathic doctors are recognized as licensed primary care providers.
Naturopathic doctors have attended a four-year naturopathic medical school, are clinically trained, and work in all aspects of family health — from pediatric to geriatric care. Naturopathic medicine, sometimes called “naturopathy”, is a distinct system of primary health care emphasizing prevention the self-healing process through the use of natural therapies, and spending the necessary time with their patients to teach them about their condition and how to tackle their condition from all aspects necessary.
Educated in all of the same basic sciences as medical doctors, a naturopathic doctor uses the conventional ‘Western’ medical sciences as a foundation for diagnosis and treatment. As well as learning conventional medical sciences and pharmacology, naturopathic medical students go through rigorous courses in order to be able to therapeutically use nutrition, herbal medicine, physical medicine, homeopathy, mind-body/counseling medicine, hydrotherapy, IV and IM therapeutics, as well as different forms of eastern medicine depending on the school. Just like MDs, naturopathic physicians must pass rigorous professional board exams before they can be licensed by a state or jurisdiction. And, for at least the final two years of the medical program, naturopathic medical students intern in clinical settings under the close supervision of licensed professionals.
An ND focuses on identifying the underlying causes of disease, while naturopathic therapies are supported by research drawn from peer-reviewed journals from many disciplines, including conventional medicine, naturopathic medicine, European complementary medicine, clinical nutrition, phytotherapy, pharmacognosy, homeopathy, and psychology.
Because naturopathic doctors view natural remedies as complementary as well as primary, they cooperate with other medical professionals, referring patients to (and receiving patients from) conventional medical doctors, surgeons and other specialists when appropriate.
The term “naturopathy” was coined in 1892 to describe a rapidly growing system of natural therapeutics that drew from Hippocrates and the traditional and indigenous medicines of the world. Naturopathic medicine is based on the following fundamental principles:
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Treat the Whole Person (Tolle totum)
Prevention (Praevenire)
Wellness – optimum health and balance.
If you are looking for a doctor that makes sure you are healthy and focuses on preventing you from developing a condition, treats your condition with an expert holistic approach before resorting to medications, and gives you the time to make sure you are being treated right, then we urge you to get started with a naturopathic doctor. Or urge a loved one in need of help with their health!
If you would like to learn more, these are excellent resources:
This is a great NCBI article on Naturopathic Medicine
Realize Health – Talk to a Naturopathic DoctorAmerican Association of Naturopathic PhysiciansCalifornia Association of Naturopathic Doctors