Naturopathy is a holistic system that emphasizes the bodies innate ability to self heal. A Naturopathic doctor attempts to treat their patients as a whole human being, treating their body, spirit and mind. Naturopathy utilizes many types of healing therapies and techniques to help their patients regain total health.
How does Naturopathy work?
Naturopathy is the safest approach to healing the body from its ailments. Naturopathy is governed by six principles:
- The healing power of nature
A Naturopathy doctor understands the ability the body has to heal and utilizes this power to achieve restored health. They are focused on restoring and maintaining balance between the body, mind and spirit.
2. Identify and treat the cause
Naturopathy is focused on the body returning to health; it achieves this by treating the cause of the problem instead of treating the symptoms. By utilizing an in depth knowledge of genetics, ph balance, toxicity, malnutrition etc... Naturopathy doctors are able to diagnose the problem and decipher the best treatment.
3. First do not harm
Naturopath doctors are focused on helping their patients heal without suppressing old symptoms with medicine that generates new different symptoms. They are anxious to help their patients key in to their ability to self heal with the use of dietary advisement, nutrition and other noninvasive therapeutic practices such as: homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture.
4. Treat the whole person
The entire person is treated. The Naturopathy doctor considers the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual state of the person before diagnosing a problem and offering treatment. In order to return to health ones whole self must be balanced.
5. A Naturopathy is a teacher
Naturopathy doctors intend to teach their patients to take responsibility of their health by making healthy lifestyle, dietary and nutritional choices.
6. Prevention approach
Assessing disease prevention is a key to Naturopathy. Naturopathy doctors use their knowledge and experience to guide their patient's to continual health and happiness.
What to expect from a visit with a Naturopath Doctor
A visit to a Naturopathy doctor would be similar to one with a family doctor. The doctor will ask lots of questions concerning family history, lifestyle, diet, nutrition, emotional state, personal medical history etc... The visit will last about an hour, during the time the doctor will perform an appropriate physical.
Naturopathy doctors consider their patient to be their partners in executing healthy living, they expect them to take responsibility for their health. It's important to be honest with the doctor, talk about medication you are taking or have taken in the past.
How to become a trained Naturopath doctor
Training in Naturopathy will include some of the same classes from traditional medical degrees and classes seen in Alternative Medicine courses. For example the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC) teaches basic and clinical diagnosis such as Anatomy, Biochemistry, Human physiology, Histology, Human pathology, Immunology, Macro- and microbiology, Neuroscience, Pharmacology during the first two years. The second two years the focus shifts to teaching therapeutic modalities in an intern environment under a mentor's supervision.
