What is Naturopathic Medicine?

This question is difficult for me to answer, because it is hard to find the right words to truly encompass the beauty and depth of this complex profession. 

Naturopathic medicine is a form of primary healthcare that blends the best of modern science and traditional knowledge while treating the whole individual rather than solely treating the disease or symptom. Naturopathic medicine functions to prevent, diagnose, and treat the root cause of disease and illness. This means that Naturopathic doctors are trained to compile a comprehensive health history, perform physical exams and run diagnostic testing in order to aid in proper diagnosis and treatment of patients. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) emphasize lifestyle habits, assess risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease, and make appropriate interventions to treat and prevent illness. 

Healthcare is not one size fits all. Health is more than just the absence of disease. Health entails daily functioning on the highest possible levels and is obtained by proper nutrition, exercise, a balanced lifestyle, positive mindset, thoughts and actions. Naturopathic medicine is individualized healthcare to fit each patient’s specific set of needs with the goal to optimize health long term rather than solely using band-aid solutions. Naturopathic doctors provide individualized, evidence-based health care to patients. NDs can treat most health conditions directly or in conjunction with other healthcare providers. The structure of clinical appointments allows NDs to spend more time with patients, allowing them to fully listen to patients' concerns and health history, which enables NDs to access a complete picture of an individuals’ health. It also allows the opportunity to educate patients along their health journey so they can have a better understanding of their health and well-being and take an active role in their healing. 

Modalities offered by Naturopathic Doctors¹ include:

• Clinical diagnosis (including physical exams and lab testing)
• Botanical medicine
• Nutrition & Lifestyle 
• Counselling
• Physical medicine (orthopedic testing/diagnosis and physical therapies)
• Homeopathy

 Additional modalities based on the scope of practice in different jurisdictions²: 

• Acupuncture and traditional chinese medicine 
• Prescriptive authority (ability to prescribe selected pharmaceutical drugs)
• Advanced injection therapies (prolotherapy, neural therapy, platelet-rich plasma)
• Intravenous therapy
• Heavy metal chelation therapy
• Other injections (intramuscular nutrients)
• Ozone and oxidative therapies
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
• Immunization
• Intrauterine device (IUD) insertion
• Aesthetic procedures (Botox, PRP injections, injectable fillers, and many more)

It is also important to note that the schooling to become a Naturopathic doctor is extensive. You must complete a 4-year undergraduate degree (mine is a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy and Cell Biology), followed by another 4-year post-graduate degree from an accredited Naturopathic College (there are only 2 in Canada and 6 in the United States), plus annual continuing education. All NDs must abide by the Guiding Principles of Naturopathic Medicine, which are:

• Do no harm : Naturopathic doctors often start with the least invasive/risky therapies before initiating more invasive treatments, if the situation permits. We aim to avoid soley suppressing symptoms.
• Doctor as teacher: Educating patients on factors that affect their health, and how they can manage their own health is crucial for empowerment & the maintenance of optimal health. Education is key for informed consent in health care.
• The healing power of nature: Naturopathic doctors work to restore and support the powerful and inherent healing ability of the body, mind and spirit and to prevent further disease from occurring. Naturopathic doctors identify and remove obstacles to recovery, facilitating and augmenting this ordered and intelligent healing ability.
• Treat the whole person: Naturopathic medicine does not take a one size fits all approach. No two people are exactly the same and should therefore, not be treated exactly the same. NDs recognize that humans are complex beings that have mental, emotional, physical and spiritual aspects contributing to overall health.
• Identify and treat the root cause: Although it can be important to address a patients’ symptoms acutely, our job is to uncover the root cause of symptoms and treat that directly. This can take more time, patience and work to see improvement, but the results are often lasting as treatment is focused on the deeper cause of dis-ease and not solely on the symptoms.
• Prevention: Naturopathic medicine utilizes disease prevention and health promotion

¹ Note: The current vocabulary is extremely confusing, especially since it can differ depending on location. If you are in a licensed state or province, make sure to look for the title: “(licensed) naturopathic doctor,” “ND," or “naturopathic physician.” These titles are reserved and indicate that the practitioner has completed the appropriate education, licensing and board exams in order to practice this medicine. The terms naturopath, holistic health practitioner, natural practitioner, natural healer, etc. often indicate an individual with a very different education and scope of practice. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are licensed health professionals that complete a minimum of 8 years of post-secondary education. This includes a 4-year undergraduate degree and a 4-year post-graduate degree from an accredited naturopathic college (there are 2 in Canada and 6 in the US).

² Modalities are not limited to what is on this list as the science and art of naturopathic medicine is vast and complex.