What’s the difference between a Naturopathic doctor (ND) and a Medical doctor (MD)?
Naturopathic doctors and medical doctors are similarly trained; however, the philosophy that governs their approach to disease and treatments differs significantly. Naturopathic medicine aims to treat the root cause of illness. Conventional medical doctors generally focus on treating, or suppressing, the outward appearance or symptoms of illness. While symptom management is sometimes necessary, it does not remove the original cause of illness and does not lead to a true cure like naturopathic medicine does. The World Health Organization’s definition of health more closely reflects a naturopathic view: “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” While medical doctors may successfully treat the symptoms of your health concern, naturopathic doctors treat the reason you’re experiencing those symptoms in the first place.
