Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care profession, emphasizing prevention, treatment, and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and substances that encourage individuals’ inherent self-healing process. The practice of naturopathic medicine includes modern and traditional, scientific, and empirical methods.

-American Association of Naturopathic Physicians​

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What makes Naturopathic Doctors different?

Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) receive similar training to conventional doctors, but what sets them apart is their philosophy and approach to treatment. Naturopathic Doctors treat the whole person, taking into account all the systems of the body and all aspects of a person - mind, body, and spirit. Naturopathic Doctors aim to find the root cause of illness instead of treating only the symptoms. When the cause of a condition is found, this leads to more effective care and better health outcomes in the long-run.

Naturopathic Doctors believe that you know your body better than anyone else and work to honor that. NDs spend more time with patients, with visits lasting 60-90 minutes for the initial exam and 15-60 minutes for follow up visits. The goal of Naturopathic Medicine is to guide the body toward its innate ability to heal itself. Naturopathic treatment starts with the basics of life and wellness - food, water, air, sun, exercise, and sleep. These elements are fine-tuned, and natural therapies may be introduced to help bring about balance in the body.

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​Education and Training

Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are educated in basic, diagnostic, laboratory, and clinical sciences at 4-year accredited medical colleges. Additionally, they receive a comprehensive education in non-invasive, non-toxic therapeutic modalities including diet & nutrition, botanical medicine, supplementation, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture, physical medicine, counseling, mind-body medicine, minor surgery, and pharmaceuticals. 

Naturopathic Doctors undergo two years of intensive supervised clinical training and must complete national board exams in order to be eligible for licensure. NDs are currently licensed/registered in 23 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Source: https://aanmc.org/resources/comparing-nd-md-curricula/

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Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine 

Primum Non Nocere: First of all, to do no harm 
Vis Medicatrix Naturae: To act in cooperation with the Healing Power of Nature 
Tolle Causum: To address the fundamental causes of disease 
Tolle Totum: To heal the whole person through individualized treatment 
Docere: To teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine  
Praevenire: To practice prevention with patients and the public

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Links:
About Naturopathic Medicine
A Summary of Naturopathic Medicine
New Hampshire Association of Naturopathic Doctors
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Sonoran University of Health Sciences
Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges

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​​Medicine is not only a science; it is also an art. It does not consist of compounding pills and plasters; it deals with the very processes of life, which must be understood before they may be guided."
​-Paracelsus