Pages

Sunday

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a system of medicine that focuses on prevention of illness and the use of natural therapies, seeking to preserve the knowledge of healing wisdom from many countries. It is not a new type of medicine as its philosophies date back thousands of years. The term “naturopathy” was coined in 1890 by Benedict Lust, a physician who founded the first US college of naturopathic medicine in the year 1902.
More individuals are turning to complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies for their healthcare. A naturopath can employ many therapies: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, lifestyle counseling, acupuncture, Asian medicine, and other physical modalities.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) usually begin their assessment with a lengthy first visit to learn about an individual’s past medical history and any current symptoms. Subsequent visits may range from half an hour to one hour in length, reviewing treatment protocols.
How are ND's different from homeopaths?” Homeopathy is a system of medicine whose fundamental principle is “like cures like.” It involves the use of minute doses of plant, animal, and mineral substances for treatment and prevention. The basis for confusion probably lies with the ND’s inclusion of the practice of homeopathy.
Licensed naturopathic doctors obtain a minimum of three years of pre-medical studies at university and then enter an accredited naturopathic medical college for four years of study. An ND’s training involves studying the basic medical sciences and the various naturopathic medicine treatment modalities with at least 1500 hours of supervised clinical experience. Upon graduation, an ND must pass rigorous written and practical examinations to obtain his or her license.
The most common complaints addressed by NDs include, but are not limited to:
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Allergies
• Food intolerances
• Indigestion
• Skin disorders
• Weight management
• Headaches
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Colds and flu
• Acute and chronic pain
It is the goal of the ND to assist each individual in obtaining optimal wellness. Therefore, even in the absence of illness or disease, an ND can help an otherwise healthy individual maintain vitality and focus on prevention of illness. This is in accordance with the World Health Organization’s definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

No comments:

Post a Comment