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Naturopathic medicine blends centuries-old natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health and human systems, covering all aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care.

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of medicine that stresses health maintenance, disease prevention, patient education, and patient responsibilities and emphases the treatment of the whole person rather than just treating the disease. Unlike most other health care systems, naturopathic medicine is not identified with any particular therapy, but with a philosophy of life, health and disease – Vis Medicatrix Naturae, “the healing power of nature.” Fundamental to this belief is a deep confidence in the ability of the body/mind to heal itself given the opportunity. All true healing is the result of the whole organism’s inherent and natural capacity, and it could be said “desire,” to be as healthy as it can be. Naturopathic physicians help to remove the obstacles to cure and employ natural therapies that strengthen and stimulate each person’s own healing processes.

History and the Formative Years

Naturopathic medicine grew out of alternative healing systems of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but traces its philosophical roots to the vitalistic school of medicine of Ancient Greece (circa 400 BC). Over the centuries since this time, the two competing philosophies of medicine, vitalistic (now called natural medicine) and mechanistic (now called allopathic or conventional medicine), have alternately diverged and converged, influencing and shaping one another.

Dr. Benedict Lust was the founder of naturopathy and the man who sustained and popularized it. Lust had been exposed to a wide range of practitioners and practices of natural healing arts. He was a student of Father Kneipp, a great practitioner of hydrotherapy (water therapy). Lust brought Kneipp’s hydrotherapy with him to America from Germany in 1892. In 1902, he founded the American School of Naturopathy. The years from 1900 to 1917 were formative ones for naturopathic medicine in America as the various forms of natural medicines were combined into one eclectic system. Here the American dietetic, hygienic, physical culture, hydrotherapy, spinal manipulation, mental and emotion healing, Thompsonian/eclectic (botanical/herbal medicine), and homeopathic systems of natural healing were all merged into naturopathy.

The Halcyon Years

From 1918 to 1937, great interest and support for naturopathic medicine emerged from the public.  In the early 1920s naturopathic movement reached its peak in terms of public awareness and interest. Conventions nationwide were well attended by professionals, the public, and even several members of Congress. And many states enacted naturopathic licensure laws.

The naturopathic journals of the 1920s and 1930s provide much valuable insight into the prevention of disease and the promotion of health. Much of the dietary advice focused on correcting poor eating habits, including the lack of fiber in the diet and an over reliance upon red meat as a protein source. Ironically, in the 1990s, the National Institutes of Health and the National Cancer Institute confirmed the early assertions of naturopathic physicians that such dietary habits could lead to degenerative diseases, and only now are advocating for the very same dietary principles that naturopaths always advocated.

Suppression and Decline

From 1938 – 1970, growing political and social dominance of allopathic medicine, fueled by the drug industry’s financial backing, led to the legal and economic suppression of naturopathic healing. In the mid 1920s the editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association made a mission of attacking naturopathic physicians, accusing them of quackery. Public infatuation with technology, introduction of “miracle drugs,” the development of surgery and other high-tech medical interventions, the growing political power and sophistication of the AMA, and the death of Benedict Lust in 1945 all combined to cause the decline of naturopathic medicine and natural healing in the United States.

With the AMA’s new political power they were able to not only get more restrictive medical practice laws passed but were also successful in getting many state naturopathic licensure laws repealed. With these political developments the courts began to take the view that naturopathic physicians were not true doctors. Lack of insurance coverage, lost court battles, and a hostile legislative perspective progressively restricted practices and eliminated funding for naturopathic education.

Naturopathic Medicine Reemerges

The back-to-nature, ecology and women’s movements of the late 1960s, the public’s growing awareness of the importance of nutrition, and America’s disenchantment with organized institutional medicine (when its limitations, dehumanization, and prohibitive expense became apparent) resulted in increasing respect for alternative medicine and the rejuvenation of naturopathy. A new wave of students was attracted to the philosophical precepts of the naturopathic profession, bringing an appreciation for the appropriate use of science and modern college education.

The Future

Naturopathic medicine is at the forefront of the paradigm shift occurring in medicine. The scientific tools now exist to assess and appreciate many aspects of natural medicine. It is now common for conventional medical organizations that in the past have spoken out strongly against naturopathic medicine to endorse such naturopathic techniques as lifestyle modification, stress reduction, exercise, and toxin reduction.

Most importantly, consumers are demanding a wider range of health care services. Clients want to start with the least invasive of techniques. Naturopathic physicians fill a gap, answer a demand and bring to the public a “bilingual” health care provider with an understanding of both natural and allopathic medicine. They are the knowledgeable gateway to “integrative medicine” a true ‘health’ care system.

The following principles are the foundation for the practice of naturopathic medicine:

The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)

The healing power of nature is the inherent self-organizing and healing process of living systems which establishes, maintains and restores health. Naturopathic medicine recognizes this healing process to be ordered and intelligent. It is the naturopathic physician’s role to support, facilitate and augment this process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and recovery, and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.

Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)

Illness does not occur without cause. Causes may originate in many areas. Underlying causes of illness and disease must be identified and removed before complete recovery can occur. Symptoms can be expressions of the body’s attempt to defend itself, to adapt and recover, to heal itself, or may be results of the causes of disease. The naturopathic physician seeks to treat the causes of disease, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)

Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to avoid harming the patient: (1) Naturopathic physicians utilize methods and medicinal substances that minimize the risk of harmful effects, and apply the least possible force or intervention necessary to diagnose illness and restore health; (2) Whenever possible the suppression of symptoms is avoided as suppression generally interferes with the healing process; and (3) Naturopathic physicians respect and work with the Vis Medicatrix Naturae in diagnosis, treatment and counseling, for if this self-healing process is not respected the patient may be harmed.

Doctor As Teacher (Docere)

The original meaning of the word “doctor” is teacher. A principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health. Naturopathic physicians also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

Target the Whole Person

Health and disease result from a complex of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development. Naturopathic medicine recognizes the harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual as being essential to health. The multifactorial nature of health and disease requires a personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person taking all of these factors into account.

Prevention

Naturopathic medical colleges emphasize the study of health as well as disease. The prevention of disease and the attainment of optimal health in patients are primary objectives of naturopathic medicine. In practice, these objectives are accomplished through education and the promotion of healthy ways of living. Naturopathic physicians assess risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and make appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine asserts that one cannot be healthy in an unhealthy environment and is committed to the creation of a world in which humanity may thrive.

How is a Naturopathic Practitioner Trained?

Naturopathic Practitioners receive a four-year, graduate level medical degree.  The Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree (NMD) is awarded after classroom, clinical and practical study. NMD’s receive training in the following medical sciences: Anatomy, Cardiology, Physiology, Pediatrics, Biochemistry, Radiology, Pathology, Microbiology, Obstetrics, Immunology, Gynecology, Pharmacology, Neurology, Dermatology, Geriatrics, Lab assessment, Clinical & Physical assessment and various other peripheral sciences.

Throughout the four years, over 700 additional hours are spent learning unique naturopathic therapeutics including clinical nutrition, dietary supplementation, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy and natural childbirth.

Naturopathic Modalities

Clinical Nutrition

Naturopathic practitioners understand that what we choose to eat directly influences every outcome of our health.  Without adequate nutrition, we cannot function properly.  The cells of our bodies require energy and raw materials to work at optimal levels.  The body’s biochemistry is delicately balanced and thrives on key nutrients, antioxidant rich and toxin-free foods.  Clinical nutrition is the practice of using what we eat to enhance our health, reverse disease and heal pathology.  Many medical conditions can be treated effectively with nutrition while avoiding the complications and side effects of drug therapies.  Nutritional treatments are customized to the individual’s needs and health circumstances.  Literally, “we are what we eat”!

Dietary supplements

Not only can inadequate nutrition lead to disease, but also certain disease processes can wear on the body and create deficiencies, which lead to further disease.  Naturopathic practitioners use vitamins, minerals, enzymes, cofactors, trace elements, and other key biochemical constituent’s to replace deficiencies and strengthen vitality in order to support the innate healing wisdom of the body.  Once these essential nutrients and healing constituents are replaced, the body will remember the balance of health and heal itself!

Botanical medicine

Plants have tremendous healing abilities!  Plant medicines bolster the immune system, speed wound healing time, calm inflammation, enhance mood, aid digestion, improve cardiovascular health and regulate blood glucose levels, to name a few.  Many pharmaceutical drugs have their origins in plant medicine.  Naturopathic practitioners use blended teas, liquid herbal extracts and tinctures, tablets, encapsulations, salves and poultices to treat a myriad of health imbalances. Naturopaths use botanical medicine to rebalance your “out of balance” nervous system, mental/emotional sphere and endocrine system to help achieve optimal health and well being.

Lifestyle modifications

If you are currently living with dis-ease, interested in preventing disease that you and your family might be at risk for or are wondering how to age healthfully, modification to your lifestyle can get you back on course.  This is one area in your life you are solely in charge of.  Naturopathic practitioners recommend specific dietary changes, stress management techniques, physical exercise, and necessary modifications to a toxic environment in order to remove possible obstacles to cure.  Exchanging disease-promoting habits for healthy ones isn’t always easy, but the results can significantly improve your health.  Naturopathic practitioners become health coaches in this sense and work along side you to offer education, support and congratulations as needed.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a very rigorous system of natural medicine, homeopathy appreciates that within each person there is an innate healing power that can help restore health – not simply alleviate or suppress symptoms. This healing power is visible every day when, without any outside help, our cuts heal and our colds disappear. Homeopathy powerfully stimulates this healing process to cure illness.  Two hundred years ago the brilliant German physician Samuel Hahnemann discovered homeopathy’s core truth: like cures like. Conducting extensive medical research, he learned that different natural substances given in large doses would make healthy people ill. He then proved that these same substances, specially prepared and given in small doses, would cure people who were ill with these very same symptoms. A remedy is chosen based on the current physical, mental and emotional sphere of the individual and well as their genetic predispositions. The remedy then works by augmenting the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is a treatment modality that uses water therapy to move stagnant circulation and lymphatic flow throughout the body.  When the circulation is compromised or stagnant, disease can take hold.  The application of hot water pulls blood into the area under the application bringing in fresh nutrients and immune cells, cold water pushes blood away from the area of application and helps to clear inflammation.  Naturopaths use hydrotherapy to stimulate the vital force of the body thereby stimulating the speed of the healing process of common illnesses such as upper respiratory infections, broken bones and skin ulcers.

What Ailments Do Naturopathic Practitioners Address?

Medically trained naturopathic practitioners address any disease from head to toe of any person of any age. They concentrate on the underlying cause(s) of dis-ease and work with you to get to the root of the problem instead of just covering up symptoms. They have the expertise to assess the need for appropriate referrals.  Common ailments addressed are:

Acne
Allergies
Asthma
Attention Deficit Disorders
Alcoholism
Angina
Anxiety
Bladder infections
Bronchitis
Candidiasis
Canker sores
Celiac Disease
Cholesterol
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Common Cold
Depression
Detoxification
Diabetes Mellitus
Diarrhea
Ear Infections
Eating Disorders
Eczema
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Fibromyalgia
Food Allergies
Headache
Heart Disease
Herpes
High Blood Pressure
Infertility
Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome
Insomnia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Menopause/Menopausal Symptoms
Migraine Headaches
Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy
Obesity
Osteoarthritis
Panic Attacks
Premenstrual Syndrome
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Sinusitis
Sore Throat
Ulcers
Vaginitis
Varicose Veins

Medical Philosophy Terms

Conventional medicine:

The medicine practiced and fully endorsed by the medical establishment. The terms traditional, Western, scientific and modern are sometimes used interchangeably with conventional but each of these has egocentric implications that make them less than accurate.

Alternative medicine:

Any system of health care or specific treatment that is not currently widely accepted by conventional medicine and/or not taught in its medical schools. It is a term best used for systems or treatments that function to replace a conventional treatment. Examples would include acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, herbs and chelation therapy. The term describes a relationship to conventional medicine. What is considered “alternative” could change as the establishment changes what it finds acceptable. Many years ago radiation therapy was alternative medicine whereas many herbs were conventional medicines found in the official United States Pharmacopoeia.

Complementary health care:

A non-primary care system of health care or specific treatment that is not currently widely accepted by conventional medicine. The treatment is not usually expected to replace a conventional treatment but rather augments or complements it. Examples could include massage and dance therapy. The term describes a relationship to conventional medicine. What is considered “complementary” could change as the establishment changes what it finds acceptable. Complementary treatments are also often used to complement alternative primary care systems.

Integrative medicine:

This is the practice of combining alternative, complementary and conventional therapies to take advantage of the strengths of each system and to offset their weaknesses.

Allopathic:

A term used to describe the dominant medical philosophy of conventional medicine. Dorland’s Medical Dictionary defines allopathy as “a system of therapeutics in which diseases are treated by producing a condition incompatible with or antagonistic to the condition to be cured or alleviated.” The term can also be used to describe any type of treatment that is used with the intention of treating or controlling symptoms. This is also sometimes call “mechanistic” medicine.

Natural medicine:

A term used to describe the philosophy of the particular alternative systems that emphasize Vis Medicatrix Naturae, “the healing power of nature.” The therapeutic emphasis is on supporting or stimulating the organism’s self-healing processes, rather than treating the symptoms or the disease. The “healing power” of nature is found in the innate homeostatic and healing systems of the body and mind of the living organism, not in the natural medicinal substance or therapy. This is also sometimes call “vitalistic” medicine.

However, the term natural medicine is not synonymous with alternative medicine. While most natural therapies are alternative, many alternative treatments are not natural medicine (e.g., chelation therapy). Consequently, St. Johns Wort is a natural substance that can be used as an alternative treatment for depression but is used to control a symptom so philosophically its use is just as allopathic as Prozac. Although aspects of each of the following systems can be used allopathically, examples of natural medicine include homeopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy, and nutritional/lifestyle interventions.