"The art of healing comes from nature, not from the physician.
Therefore the physician must come from nature, with an open mind."
-- Paracelsus 1493-1541
Introduction
Naturopathy is a form of healing that is primarily based on the natural healing abilities of your body. Through the use of natural substances and non-invasive techniques, naturopathic doctors facilitate this inherent healing ability through a variety of natural therapies and gentle techniques that draw from many cultures and healing modalities. The philosophies of naturopathy are rather unique in the broader medical community. Your body is treated as a whole and a naturopath will take into account your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. And rather than merely treating or suppressing symptoms, underlying causes are addressed. More than just a doctor, your naturopath is a teacher who will educate, empower, and motivate you to lead a healthier lifestyle.
A History
Naturopathy originates in "Nature Cure" -- a system that uses natural agents for treating diseases and popularized in Europe during the 19th century. Traditionally, healing was based on natural substances and processes and involved the use of herbs, the medicinal powers of food and water, and stimulation of the body's internal energies to promote healing. Nature cure incorporated a number of these techniques.
In 1896, Benedict Lust brought this form of healing to North America. He had cured himself of tuberculosis using hydrotherapy methods made popular by an Austrian priest named Sebastian Kneipp. As a strong believer in natural therapies, Lust founded the first school of naturopathic medicine in New York City, with 1902 seeing the first graduating class. Another gentlemen by the name of James Foster founded a similar school in Idaho, raising awareness on this form of healing throughout the United States Northwest. Together, Lust and Foster coined the term "naturopathy" to encompass the various healing modalities that form this holistic, unified approach to healing. As previously mentioned, this form of healing has also been referred to as "Nature Cure", as well as "Natural Medicine".
With the emergence of naturopathic schools at the beginning of the 20th century, naturopathy became very popular throughout the United States and Canada. The profession was regulated in British Columbia and Ontario during the 1920's, but growth slowed after World War II with the advent of antibiotics, advanced surgical techniques, and other medical technologies that seemed to leave nature-based healing behind. Pharmaceuticals and "high-tech" medicine became accepted as "conventional" while naturopathy and similar forms of healing were stigmatized as "unconventional" or "alternative". Nature Cure was now obsolete.
During the past few decades, however, naturopathy has enjoyed an unparalleled resurgence as the limitations of Allopathic/Western medicine are being reached and alternative forms of healing are actively pursued by both a broader medical community and the general public; eager for options. New schools of naturopathic medicine have formed in both the United States and Canada. Today, there are over one thousand naturopathic doctors in the United States and over four hundred and fifty in Canada.
Naturopathic Principles
Naturopathy is based on several key principles: "Support the Healing Power of the Body", "Treat the Whole Person", "First Do No Harm", "Identify and Treat the Causes", "Emphasize Prevention", and "Doctor as Teacher". These principles are outlined in more detail below.
Support the Healing Power of the Body (vis medicatrix naturaae)
Your body is inherently able to intelligently heal itself, restore health, and ward off disease through its vital energy. Naturopathic doctors identify and remove obstacles and work with this internal ability to facilitate the healing process.
Treat the Whole Person
Your health results from the totality of your physical, mental, emotional, genetic, spiritual, environmental, social, and other factors. This holistic approach makes Naturopathy rather unique.
First Do No Harm (Primum non nocere)
Naturopathic doctors strongly believe in reducing, and not contributing to, a patient's level of pain or discomfort. As a result, forms of healing are used that encourage inherent healing abilities and do not harm or inhibit this process. Naturopaths use non-invasive techniques that have fewer side effects and carry less risk than conventional approaches.
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle causam)
In stark contrast to conventional Allopathic/Western medicine, a naturopathic doctor seeks the root cause of the ailment, situation, or condition at hand, rather than focusing on suppressing symptoms. Symptoms are an indication of imbalance and an expression by your body of its attempts to heal.
By focusing on underlying causes, your naturopathic doctor is in a better position to employ a personalized healing approach incorporating a variety of healing methods.
Emphasize Prevention
Naturopaths believe preventing ailments, situations, and conditions before they start is the most effective means of leading a healthy lifestyle. A naturopath will discuss proactive changes that encourage a healthy diet, behaviour, and lifestyle. By providing yourself with the nutritional, social, and emotional needs necessary for optimal health, you will be stronger and more resilient to illnesses and better prepared to deal with them when they come.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Above all, patient education and encouragement towards self-responsibility and self-care is key.
Forms of Healing
As every individual is unique and each body heals differently, naturopathic doctors employ some or all of the following seven forms of healing: clinical nutrition, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, oriental medicine/acupuncture, physical medicine/naturopathic manipulation, and lifestyle counselling and prevention. Combining the various methods produces a much more effective healing process.
Clinical Nutrition
Involves the relationship between diet and illness. A naturopath will prescribe appropriate vitamins and minerals, in addition to lesser known elements such as amino acids, enzymes and other nutraceuticals to promote healing.
Botanical (Herbal) Medicine
Also referred to as phytomedicine, botanical medicine uses plant-based remedies to promote healing. Preparations include teas, tinctures, capsules, and topical applications. For more information, see the dedicated section on Herbs.
Homeopathy
Based on the principle of "like cures like", Homeopathy involves minute doses of plant, animal, and mineral substances to promote healing. For more information, see the dedicated section on Homeopathy.
Oriental Medicine / Acupuncture
Naturopathy has much in common with the healing philosophies of oriental medicine / Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) which uses dietary changes, plant-based remedies, and Acupuncture to treat and prevent illness. Additional techniques include Acupressure, Ayurveda (from India), Qi-Gong, yoga, and other therapies of Asian origin. The oriental concept of balancing the flow of "qi" (pronounced "Chi"), or life force, through meridian pathways is similar to the naturopathic philosophy of the inherent healing power of the body. For more information on some of these therapies, see the dedicated sections on Acupressure, Acupuncture, and Yoga.
Physical Medicine / Naturopathic Manipulation
Depending on their specific training, a naturopath can employ a series of hands-on or otherwise physical treatments used to heal musculoskeletal conditions. This includes hydrotherapy, massage, movement re-education, Therapeutic Touch, naturopathic manipulations similar to chiropractic and osteopathic techniques, and other hands-on techniques. For more information on some of these therapies, see the dedicated sections on Hydrotherapy and Massage.
Lifestyle Counselling And Prevention
Explores patient's physical, emotional, social, and nutritional environment. Supporting the mind and the spirit is essential to healing the person as a whole.
Naturopathic Practitioner Certification
Far more than your typical health practitioner, your naturopathic doctor is also a medical doctor, acupuncturist, counsellor, herbalist, homeopath, hydrotherapist, nutritionist, and more. As a result, obtaining a degree in naturopathy is an extremely demanding and rigorous undertaking.
Before entering a program, students must complete three years of pre-medical studies at a university and have included general biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and psychology as part of their studies.
Potential naturopathic students must then complete four years of extensive training at a recognized naturopathic college, which includes basic medical clinical sciences, diagnostics, naturopathic philosophy and therapeutics, and extensive clinical training. The education process involves more than 4,000 hours of classroom training and supervised clinical experience. As students are educated to be primary health care providers, they must be accomplished in preventive medicine and natural therapeutics, as well as in diagnosing, managing, and treating early-onset chronic degenerative disease. Training in the biomedical sciences is comparable to that of a conventional medical student. Coursework includes anatomy, cardiology, biochemistry, clinical and physical diagnosis, dermatology, gynecology, immunology, laboratory diagnosis, microbiology, minor surgery, neurology, obstetrics, pathology, pediatrics, pharmacology, physiology, and radiology.
Upon completion of their program, potential naturopathic doctors must pass the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) and provincial examinations set by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy to receive accreditation as a naturopathic doctor. The resulting N.D.'s are thus exceptionally qualified in the above mentioned fields.
In the United States, naturopaths must receive a degree from a naturopathic program or college accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Currently, four schools have received this status: National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Oregon, Bastyr University in Washington, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona, and The University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine in Connecticut.
The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine is recognized by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy -- Naturopathy and is in the final stages of the five year application process to receive CNME certification.
In Canada, you may call the Canadian Naturopathic Association's toll-free information and referral service at 1.877.NAT.PATH (628.7284) to locate a naturopathic doctor near you.
Ailments / Situations Where Used
While your naturopathic doctor should be seen to treat any ailment, condition, or situation you are dealing with, a variety of illnesses and transitional experiences can benefit greatly from the holistic, multi-disciplinary approach of a naturopathic doctor. This includes AIDS, allergies, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, attention deficit disorder, breast cancer, bowel disorders, cancer (various forms), carpal tunnel syndrome, celiac disease, chemotherapy side effects, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic illnesses, chronic infections, depression, diabetes, digestive problems, eczema, fibromyalgia, heart disease, hypertension, labour and childbirth, lactose intolerance, lupus, menopause, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, nutritional deficiencies, premenstrual syndrome, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, stress, viral infections, weakened immune system, weight disorders, and many others!
Typical Session(s)
During your first visit with a naturopathic doctor, he or she will sit down with you for one to one and a half hours to learn your history and get to know you. Your naturopath will gather medical and family history, possibly perform a physical exam and/or conduct laboratory tests, and compile information on nutritional intake, stress level, and daily lifestyle and exercise regimes. This information helps determine the underlying cause(s) of the ailment, situation, or condition at hand. If the cause is already known, your naturopathic doctor will work with you towards healing. If the condition is terminal, your naturopath will discuss with you the various options available to make the situation as manageable as possible.
As your body is self-regulating, your naturopath will educate you on the illness at hand and emphasize personal responsibility for your health. Following your thorough assessment, you and your naturopath will work together to develop programs and actions that facilitate healing. Every patient is treated as a unique individual who requires a customized healing plan.
In some cases, your naturopath will refer you to another health practitioner if special attention is required in a particular area, such as fitness training or psychological counselling.
Your naturopath may also request X rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, computed tomography (CT) scans, ultrasonography, and other imaging methods, if required.
Coverage
Most insurance companies and provincial/state/territorial governments are not adequately prepared for coverage regarding visits to a naturopathic doctor. This is quickly changing and, in the future, greater coverage should be expected from your insurance body. To date, British Columbia partly covers naturopathic doctor fees under the provincial Medical Services Plan. Other Canadian provinces do not provide such coverage. Your health insurance company may cover a portion of naturopathic treatments. Check your policy, ask your employer, or call the company directly to determine the extent of coverage.
Naturopaths At Your Workplace
Many forward-thinking companies such as Husky Injection Molding and Telus now offer their employees an in-house Wellness Centre with one or more naturopaths and other specialists on staff. It has been found that the benefits of illness prevention and increased worker productivity far outweigh the initial capital costs of such an undertaking. Consult with your employer or Human Resources department as to the possibility of such a program in your workplace.
Contraindications / Precautions / Warnings
As previously mentioned, one of the principles of naturopathy is "first do no harm". As a result, naturopathy is generally a non-invasive, non-toxic, natural approach to healing. Specific forms of healing used by naturopaths, however, may have minor adverse effects. If a patient is taking a homeopathic remedy, he or she may experience a temporary increase in symptoms (a "healing crisis"), which is quite normal -- this actually signals that the remedy is working. If a patient is undergoing hydrotherapy, he or she may experience light-headedness after being immersed in a hot whirlpool. Some herbs can also be toxic if taken in excessive amounts.
Vegetarians and Vegans
Some homeopathic remedies, oriental / TCM medicines, and supplements are derived from animals and may not be suitable or appropriate if you are vegetarian or vegan. Discuss this issue with your naturopath during your initial consultation.
Drug Interactions
Some herbs and over-the-counter or prescription drugs can negatively interact. Be sure to inform your naturopathic doctor as to the drugs you are taking and do not mix items before consulting with them first.
Critical Care
If dealing with a serious, life-threatening condition such as acute injury or trauma, naturopathic methods should not be substituted for conventional medical treatment. Naturopaths are limited in their ability to deal with such situations and it is highly recommended that you seek the services of your local hospital and/or critical care unit.
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