About Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of primary health care - an art, science, philosophy and practice of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness. The practice of naturopathic medicine, founded upon a holistic philosophy, combines safe and effective traditional therapies with the most current advances in modern medicine. It strongly promotes individualized healthcare with the focus of treating the "whole person" through mind, body and spirit for optimum health. Naturopathic medicine is appropriate for the management of a broad range of health conditions affecting all people of all ages. A naturopathic doctor is a licensed primary care physician (N.D.) who is educated in the same basic sciences as an M.D. or a D.O., but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. Like conventional medical schools, the first two years of ND training concentrate on the basic biomedical sciences: gross human anatomy, physiology, histology, embryology, pathology, microbiology and biochemistry. The second two years integrate the basic biomedical sciences with clinical sciences, focusing on a broad range of therapeutic interventions including: clinical nutrition and diet, acupuncture and classical Chinese medicine, homeopathy, environmental medicine, botanical medicine, naturopathic manipulative therapy, hydrotherapy, psychology, pharmacology, minor surgery and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health). A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician. While NDs are trained to be primary care physicians, some NDs choose to emphasize particular treatment methods (see below) and others may concentrate on particular medical fields such as pediatrics, gynecology, allergies, arthritis, etc. Even though it has its own therapeutic specialties, naturopathic medicine incorporates the natural therapies of many different healing traditions. What makes a therapy part of the naturopathic scope of practice is the way it is applied such as on the basis of the six naturopathic principles of healing. There are currently 6 naturopathic medical schools in the United States and Canada: Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine - Tempe, Arizona Bastyr University - Seattle, Washington National College of Naturopathic Medicine - Portland, Oregon National University of Health Sciences - Chicago, Illinois University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine - Bridgeport, Connecticut  Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine - Ontario, Canada Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine - New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada  Naturopathic medicine is currently licensed in 15 states and several Canadian provinces and U.S. territories including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Despite that fact that naturopathic medicine in not licensed in all 50 states, a naturopathic doctor can still practice in most states, sometimes under other types of licensure. In unlicensed states, the scope of practice is not regulated therefore allowing individuals who are not adequately trained to use the title "ND" or "naturopath." Some companies offer the degree "ND" or natural doctor via correspondence courses through the mail or Internet. Even though these individuals may believe in the philosophy and core principles of naturopathy, they are not properly trained to diagnose, treat and prevent disease as the naturopathic physicians who have attended a four-year accredited naturopathic medical school. In these unregulated states, it is important for the public to understand the risk involved in seeking a practitioner and to be certain that they understand the education that their health care provider has received. For more information about naturopathic medicine, please visit the following websites:   www.naturopathic.org, www.aanmc.org, www.cnme.org, www.scnm.edu, www.bastyr.edu, www.ncnm.edu, www.nuhs.edu, www.ccnm.edu, www.bridgeport.edu/naturopath, and www.binm.org.   What to Expect During Your First Visit... A visit to a naturopathic practitioner, or N.D., will be similar to a visit with your family doctor. Your first visit will take an hour and a half. During this time, a very thorough history is taken, including questions about diet, lifestyle, habits, stress, family history and environmental exposures. Naturopaths look at the whole person, which means they consider a variety of factors before devising a health plan. During the visit, the practitioner will discuss various natural options with the patient and together the best health plan will be created making the patient an active part of the healthcare team. Naturopaths believe in taking quality time to get to know their patients by listening and working with them to develop an individualized health approach. Naturopaths are committed to supporting the body's inherent ability to heal using natural therapies to restore health. By identifying and removing obstacles to health and recovery, naturopaths help to enhance the body's innate healing process. They are passionate about naturopathic medicine and remain truthful to the 6 principles of naturopathic medicine:     The Healing Power of Nature - Vis medicatrix naturae The human body possesses the inherent ability to restore health. The doctor's role is to facilitate the processes with the aid of natural, safe and non-toxic therapies.   First Do No Harm - Primum non nocere Naturopathic medicine uses therapies that are safe and cost effective.   Identify and Treat the Cause - Tolle causum Naturopathic doctors seek to treat the underlying cause of disease. Symptoms are reviewed as the body's natural attempt to heal. The origin of disease is removed or treated so the patient can recover.   Treat the Whole Person - Tolle totum The multiple factors in health and disease are considered while treating the whole person. Naturopathic doctors probide flexible treatment programs to individual healthcare need   Doctor as Teacher - Docere The doctor's role is to educate, empower and motivate the patient to take responsibility for their own health. Creating a healthy, cooperative relationship with the patient has a strong therapeutic value.    Prevention - Prevenir Naturopathic doctors are preventive medicine specialists. Physicians assess patient rsik factors and heredity susceptibility and intervene appropriately to reduce risk and prevent illness. Prevention of disease is best accomplished through education and lifestyle that supports health.     Types of Conditions Naturopathy is Beneficial For  Naturopathy is beneficial for many conditions ranging from acute conditions such as an ear infection or a cold to more chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Naturopaths work to educate their patients on natural options from prevention of illness to healing acute and chronic disease.  Autism ADHD   Menopause  Food Allergies/Sensitivities Irritable Bowel  Diabetes Chronic Fatigue   Fibromyalgia  Women's Health PMS Hormone Balancing   Family Healthcare   Arthritis GERD  Asthma Hypertension Elevated Cholesterol Eczema Migraines Allergies   Ear Infections  Colds/Flu   Cough/Congestion  Sinus Pain/Pressure   Weight Loss Preventive Healthcare  And More...