What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
Naturopathic Medicine is a system of healthcare that aims to identify and treat the root cause of disease using the most natural and non-invasive therapies. Naturopathic Doctors treat the Person, rather than the Condition, as each individuals journey is unique.
Naturopathic medicine is considered vitalist medicine, meaning it is based in a philosophy that each of us has the natural capacity to heal ourselves. The naturopathic doctor aims to identify obstacles to the self-healing process and correct them, thus allowing wellness to be restored and optimized.
Naturopathic Training
Naturopathic physicians must complete a four-year Bachelor’s degree then attend 4 years of medical school at an accredited institution such as the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. As in conventional medical schools, Naturopathic Students are required to sit for two sets of rigorous national board examinations in order to receive their medical license. Presently, Naturopathic licensing is on a state by state basis, so the scope of practice varies depending on location.
Naturopathic medical schools teach all the sciences you would expect any doctor to know, as well as pharmacology, minor surgery, basic clinical specialties and extensive clinical training. What distinguishes naturopathic medical education is the philosophy of getting to the root of health concerns plus intensive additional focus on the tools of natural medicine: herbs, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, nutrition, physical medicine, mind/body medicine and others.