What is a Naturopath?
A Naturopath is a doctor whose goal is to achieve balance in the body so health may be restored and maintained. Therapy of a Naturopath involves the use of modalities that are non-toxic and non-invasive working with the body to strengthen and heal itself naturally. A Naturopath does not diagnose or use drugs. However, the doctor acknowledges the benefit of medical science and supports patients who are under the care of medical doctors by working as a partner in their wellness treatment.
A naturopath is a medical practitioner who believes in harnessing the natural power of the body to heal itself, using natural and holistic means. The exact qualifications and certifications of a naturopath vary widely, as regulation differs around the world. As a general rule, a naturopath offers complementary medicine, rather than primary care, and a naturopath may choose to refer a patient to another practitioner to treat certain conditions. Naturopathy assumes that the body naturally strives for wellness and stability, and that with a little help, the body can be encouraged to be healthy. To achieve this, a naturopath relies on a number of treatments, ranging from massage therapy and other physical treatments to counseling. The intent is for patient and care provider to work together as a team, addressing the patient’s body holistically. Like many other alternative medical practices, naturopathy places a heavy focus on preventative medicine, and at getting to the root cause of a pro
Naturopathic Medicine marries traditional natural therapeutics with modern scientific medical diagnoses and western medical standards of care. A naturopath or naturopathic physician is someone who has a Naturopathic Doctorate (ND) from one of the fully accredited naturopathic universities in North America. In many ways the ND degree compares to that of medical school. For example, Bastyr University requires a total of 4,342 curriculum hours for an ND, which is comparable to that required for an MD at most medical schools. In some states, naturopaths are licensed, which generally means that they have passed a two-part national exam, the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX).
