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What Is It?
Naturopathy is a distinct system of medicine that is based on a belief in the healing power of nature--and especially in the body's innate ability to fight disease and heal itself. Practiced by naturopathic doctors/physicians (also known as naturopaths or N.D.s), it uses a wide range of natural treatment methods. Among the therapies many naturopathic physicians frequently prescribe are diet and lifestyle modifications, nutritional supplements, homeopathy, herbal medicine, hydrotherapy, detoxification, spinal manipulation, IV therapy and more.
Although the term "naturopathy" wasn't coined until the late 19th century, it is one of the oldest forms of medicine known to mankind, tracing its roots to the healing traditions of ancient China, India, and Greece, and to Native American cultures.
The therapy became a formal profession in the U.S., when German emigrant Benedict Lust (1872-1945), a naturopath, osteopath, chiropractor, and M.D., founded the first school of naturopathic medicine in New York City in 1902. A primary focus at Lust's school was hydrotherapy; this was because Lust had been a devoted disciple of Father Sebastian Kneipp, the famous Bavarian hydropath, before coming to the U.S. Students were also taught herbal medicine, nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology, homeopathy, and many other techniques to the exclusion of what the founder termed "poisonous drugs and non-adjustable surgery."
Naturopathy had a growing following in the early part of the 20th century, with 22 colleges of naturopathic medicine operating in the U.S. But by mid-century, with the introduction of "miracle drugs" such as antibiotics, and a campaign by the American Medical Association to discredit alternative forms of medicine, interest in the profession declined and most schools closed their doors. Since the early 1970s, however, there has been a rapid resurgence in this healing technique.
What You Can Expect
A consultation with a naturopathic physician begins with the practitioner taking a very detailed medical history, as well as asking you about your diet, exercise regimen, lifestyle, stress, sleep patterns, bowel habits, and mental and spiritual outlook.
The N.D. will then conduct a routine medical exam, just as a medical doctor would. If needed, X rays may be taken and laboratory tests performed.
With exam and test results in hand, the naturopathic physician then devises a treatment program unique to you. This is definitely unlike conventional medicine in which two patients with a headache receive the same basic tests and drugs. Your individualized treatment program will be gradual and can be adapted as your health improves.
Indeed, because naturopathy involves lifestyle changes (such as exercise, stress reduction) and changes in eating habits, as well as the use of supplements and herbs, the therapeutic plan requires much more patient involvement in the process of getting well. Again, this is unlike mainstream medicine, in which prescription drugs--and sometimes surgery--are by far the dominant therapeutic tools.
The initial session with a naturopath is generally about an hour long, and follow-up sessions typically last 30 minutes. The number of sessions needed depends on the seriousness of the ailment.
In states that license naturopathic physicians (see How to Choose a Practitioner, below), you can use your N.D. as a primary-care physician. In these states, N.D.s are also allowed to prescribe certain classes of drugs and to do minor surgery. Some N.D.s also perform natural childbirth in the home or at a birthing center.
How To Choose a Practitioner
The training for a naturopathic doctor is not exactly the same as that for an M.D., although both conventional physicians and naturopathic physicians are required to do four years of medical school. In order for an M.D. to become a specialist in orthopedics, rheumatology, or some other discipline, the physician must also serve a minimum of three years of residency in a hospital after medical school.
Naturopaths, in contrast, obtain their postgraduate specialty training at accredited schools of naturopathy, integrative medicine hospitals and outpatient physician clinics. Upon completion of postgraduate training, they receive certification of completion of a residency although at this time not all graduating naturopathic doctors go on to complete a residency.
Although both M.D.s and naturopaths undergo rigorous examinations to verify their competence, only M.D.s with specific training are eligible to take specialty board examinations. Naturopaths readily acknowledge this and compare their education to that of a typical primary-care general practitioner (G.P.). When specialty care is called for, a good naturopathic doctor will send the patient to a surgeon, internist, cardiologist, and so on, as the situation requires.
At the present time N.D.s are licensed in 15 U.S. states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, Utah, and Washington.
Unfortunately, in states where there is no licensing, individuals with little or no formal education can still proclaim themselves N.D.s. For this reason it is important to look for a practitioner certified by naturopathy's professional organization, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), located in McLean, Virginia. The AANP recommends that you contact their organization to verify a practitioner's certification. www.naturopathic.org
Today there are approximately 5,500 naturopathic doctors in the U.S., although the number is growing as interest in alternative therapies increases. It's always a good idea to carefully examine the credentials of your naturopath to verify graduation from an accredited school of naturopathy (Bastyr University, Bridegeport University, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and National College of Natural Medicine). In the states where licensing is required, make sure the naturopath's license is current.
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