Introduction to Naturopathic Medicine

Independently, chiropractic and naturopathic medicine are the two leading professions of natural holistic healthcare.  

This page provides background and basic information about naturopathic medicine, and it also provides links to other websites where interested visitors can find additional information. 

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine originated in Europe from the various traditional medicines which had sustained the human population since the beginning of time.  Naturopathic medicine was and continues to be very eclectic--drawing on the healing traditions and practices of many cultures, utilizing various paradigms and approaches to healthcare, and tailoring the application of these approaches to the individual needs of the patient.  Naturopathic medicine became a formal healthcare profession around the year 1900, when the term "naturopathy" was first coined, and the first naturopathic medical school in America was founded in 1902 by Benedict Lust.  

The definitive and most interesting and appealing aspect of naturopathic medicine is that it is wholly different from conventional allopathic medicine in its approach to healthcare, as described by the The Alliance Legislative Workbook: 

"Naturopathic medicine is more than a system of health care; it is a way of life. It is a distinct system of medicine that stresses health maintenance, disease prevention, patient education, and patient responsibilities in contrast to treatment of disease.

 

Unlike most other health care systems, naturopathic medicine is not identified with any particular therapy, but with a philosophy of life, health and disease. Fundamental to the practice of naturopathic medicine is a profound belief in the ability of the body to heal itself given the proper opportunity..."

Although naturopathic therapeutics are effective for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, the true power of naturopathic medicine is in restoring health, rather than treating disease.  At first, this is a difficult differentiation to grasp, since most people are somewhat "trained" to think of healthcare as the "treatment of disease" rather than the "restoration of health."  This example should make the difference clear:

Let's say a person has a health problem, such as an inner ear infection.  From the chemical-allopathic medicine approach, the treatment for the disease (in this case, the ear infection) would be to use antibiotics, since this would kill the bacteria that are causing the infection.  Thus, the disease would be treated (with very little individualized attention to the actual person), and the patient would go home until the infection - or another health problem - resurfaced.  From the naturopathic-holistic approach, we would certainly give appropriate and specific attention to the ear infection, but we would also seek to understand why this person is susceptible to ear infections in the first place.  We could then employ any of a wide range of treatments/interventions to optimize the patient's health, so that not only does the infection go away, but future infections are avoided, and long-term health improvements can be achieved and enjoyed.

Writing in The Journal of Naturopathic Medicine in 1997, Dr. Jared Zeff succinctly encapsulated the basic holistic approach to promoting optimal health as a treatment for and protection against health problems: 

"The work of the naturopathic physician is to elicit healing by helping patients to create or recreate conditions for health to exist within them.  

 

Health will occur where the conditions for health exist.  

 

Disease is the product of conditions which allow for it."  

People do not have health problems simply because they have health problems.  They have these problems because some condition or group of conditions in their bodies or environments has created a climate for the initiation and continuation of disrupted physiology, ie, "disease."  By giving highly-individualized attention to the patient and discovering the causes of disease in that person, naturopathic physicians are highly successful in restoring the conditions for health, thus minimizing or eliminating the conditions for the previous "disease" and thereby promoting the restoration of optimal health - wellness.

Adapted from the AANP's website, the following principles are the foundation for the practice of naturopathic medicine:

PRINCIPLES

The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
The healing power of nature is the inherent self-organizing and healing process of living systems which establishes, maintains and restores health.  Naturopathic medicine recognizes this healing process to be ordered and intelligent.  It is the naturopathic physician's role to support, facilitate and augment this process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and recovery, and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.

Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
Illness does not occur without cause. Causes may originate in many areas. Underlying causes of illness and disease must be identified and removed before complete recovery can occur.  Symptoms can be expressions of the body's attempt to defend itself, to adapt and recover, to heal itself, or may be results of the causes of disease.  The naturopathic physician seeks to treat the causes of disease, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to avoid harming the patient:

+ Naturopathic physicians utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful effects, and apply the least possible force or intervention necessary to diagnose illness and restore health.
+Whenever possible the suppression of symptoms is avoided as suppression generally interferes with the healing process.
+Naturopathic physicians respect and work with the vis medicatrix naturae in diagnosis, treatment and counseling, for if this self-healing process is not respected the patient may be harmed.

Doctor As Teacher (Docere)
The original meaning of the word "doctor" is teacher.  A principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health.  Naturopathic physicians also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

Treat the Whole Person
Health and disease result from a complex of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors.  Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.  Naturopathic medicine recognizes the harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual as being essential to health.  The multifactorial nature of health and disease requires a personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.  Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person taking all of these factors into account.

Prevention
Naturopathic medical colleges emphasize the study of health as well as disease.  The prevention of disease and the attainment of optimal health in patients are primary objectives of naturopathic medicine.  In practice, these objectives are accomplished through education and the promotion of healthy ways of living.  Naturopathic physicians assess risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and make appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.  Naturopathic medicine asserts that one cannot be healthy in an unhealthy environment and is committed to the creation of a world in which humanity may thrive.

Naturopathic physicians employ a wide range of lifestyle modifications (e.g., dietary changes, exercise prescription, behavioral modification) and therapeutic interventions (e.g. botanical medicine, counseling, nutritional medicine, environmental medicine, spinal manipulation and physiotherapy) at the service of their patients' health.  Naturopathic medicine is increasingly popular--both with the public and with insurance companies--since it is generally low-cost, safe, and highly effective in improving the health of those who use it.  

A licensed naturopathic physician (N.D.) attends a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as a medical doctor but also studies holistic, natural, and nontoxic approaches to the treatment of disease with a strong emphasis on preventing disease and optimizing health.  Unfortunately, there are unaccredited schools that offer degrees by correspondence courses and enable a person to earn a "certificate" that says they have a college degree, such as a Master's degree, a PhD, or even a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree.  These are bogus degree programs that do little to educate their students and which detract from the value and merit that should be ascribed to the earning of a real degree in a real academic setting.  There are only two ways (other than the difference in the quality of healthcare) that you can tell if a "naturopath" is really a "licensed naturopathic physician" versus someone who simply received a certificate via a correspondence course:

1.  Find out which school he/she attended to get the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree.  There are only 3 fully accredited schools in the United States, 1 in Canada, and one new school in the US which is currently in application for accreditation.  You can also access information at The American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges.  The accredited schools are: 

Bastyr University
14500 Juanita Drive, NE
Kenmore, WA  98011
You can verify that a naturopathic physician graduated from Bastyr University by clicking here.

National College of Naturopathic Medicine
049 SW Porter
Portland, OR  97201

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences 

2140 East Broadway
Tempe, AZ  85282

 

Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine 
1255 Sheppard Avenue, E
North York, ON  M2K 1E2
(416) 498-1255

 

University of Bridgeport
College of Natural Medicine
60 Lafayette Street
Bridgeport, CT  06601
(203) 576-4109  The University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine was granted candidacy status by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education on March 31, 2001 at their meeting in Tempe, Arizona.  

2. Check to see if the he/she is a member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP).  The AANP is the only national organization of college-educated and license-eligible naturopathic physicians.  You can search the AANP member database to check the name of a naturopathic physician, to verify if he/she is an authentic ND.

Naturopathic physicians are licensed to practice primary healthcare and to prescribe medications in several states and territories, including Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Puerto Rico.  Many states (including Texas) are considering to license college-educated naturopathic physicians.

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) is the leading organization of licensed naturopathic physicians in the United States, and the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians (WANP) is the official professional organization in the state of Washington.  You can access both of these sites for additional information, and you can also access the The Alliance Legislative Workbook which is a very useful and informative site with an abundance of high-quality information.  These sites also allow you to become familiar with the History and Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine.  Additional information can also be obtained at Bastyr University's website.  The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education is dedicated to ensure the high quality of naturopathic medical education in the United States and Canada through the voluntary accreditation of four-year, graduate-level programs that lead to the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D. or N.M.D) degree. Students and graduates of programs accredited or preaccredited (candidacy) by CNME are eligible to apply for the naturopathic licensing examinations administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners.  CNME is accepted as the specialized accrediting agency for naturopathic medical education by all four-year naturopathic colleges and programs in the United States and Canada, by the American and Canadian national naturopathic professional associations, and by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. CNME advocates for the highest standards in naturopathic education, and its grant of accreditation to a college or program indicates that prospective students and the public in general may have confidence in the college or program.  If you have interest in reading more about the history of naturopathic medicine, I recommend the book by Friedhelm Kirchfeld and Wade Boyle, Nature Doctors: Pioneers in Naturopathic Medicine, published by Medicina Biologica (Portland, Oregon: 1994).

Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners: http://www.obne.state.or.us

Oregon Naturopathic Prescription List (over 300 drugs): http://www.obne.state.or.us/0225fi1.htm 

All doctors learn "basic sciences" and diagnostic procedures.

The treatments that medical doctors learn are drugs and surgery.

The treatments that chiropractic doctors learn are nutrition and physical treatments, such as spinal manipulation.

The treatments that osteopathic doctors learn are drugs, surgery, and physical treatments, such as spinal manipulation.

The treatments that naturopathic doctors learn are minor surgery, physical treatments such as spinal manipulation, nutrition, botanical medicine, and counseling.

Bastyr University, located north of Seattle, Washington, is one of the world's leading academic centers for advancing knowledge in the natural health sciences. A two-decade pioneer in natural medicine, Bastyr continues to be in the forefront of developing the model for 21st century medicine.

Bastyr University's mission is to educate future leaders in natural health sciences that integrate mind, body, spirit and nature. Through natural health education, research and clinical services, Bastyr improves the health and well being of the human community.

Founded in 1978 as a college of naturopathic medicine, the university's offerings now include:

• Naturopathic Medicine
• Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
• Applied Behavioral Science
• Exercise Science and Wellness
• Herbal Sciences
• Nutrition
• Health Psychology

Program Tracks and Curriculum for Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine 2002-2003 at Bastyr University

FOUR-YEAR TRACK
YEAR I

FOUR-YEAR TRACK
YEAR II

FOUR-YEAR TRACK
YEAR III

FOUR-YEAR TRACK
YEAR IV

Summary of Clinic Requirements:
Naturopathic Medicine Program

Elective Requirements: Naturopathic Medicine Program

Curriculum and course changes in the 2002-2003 Bastyr University Catalog are applicable to students entering during the 2002-2003 academic year. Please refer to the appropriate catalog if interested in curriculum and courses required for any other entering year.

More about Naturopathic Medicine

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