Naturopathy (also known as naturopathic medicine or natural medicine) is an eclectic alternative medical system that focuses on natural remedies and the body's vital ability to heal and maintain itself. Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic approach and minimal use of surgery and drugs. Naturopathy comprises many different treatment modalities of varying degrees of acceptance by the medical community; diet and lifestyle advice may be substantially similar to that offered by non-naturopaths, and acupuncture may help reduce pain in some cases, but homeopathy is often characterized as pseudoscience or quackery.
Naturopathy has its origins in the Nature Cure movement of
Naturopathy is practiced in many countries, especially the
Principles
Naturopathic ideology focuses on naturally-occurring and minimally-invasive methods, trusting to the "healing power of nature."Such treatments as "synthetic" drugs, radiation, and major surgery are avoided, and rejection of biomedicine and modern science in favor of an intuitive and vitalistic conception of the body and nature is common.Prevention through stress reduction and a healthy diet and lifestyle is emphasized. The philosophy of naturopathic practice is self-described by six core values.Multiple versions exist in the form of the naturopathic doctor's oath, various mission statements published by schools or professional associations, and ethical conduct guidelines published by regulatory bodies:
First, do no harm; provide the most effective health care available with the least risk to patients at all times (Primum Non Nocere).
Recognize, respect and promote the self-healing power of nature inherent in each individual human being. (
Identify and remove the causes of illness, rather than eliminate or suppress symptoms (Tolle Causum).
Educate, inspire rational hope and encourage self-responsibility for health (Doctor as Teacher).
Treat each person by considering all individual health factors and influences. (Treat the Whole Person).
Emphasize the condition of health to promote well-being and to prevent diseases for the individual, each community and our world. (Health Promotion, the Best Prevention)
Practice
The focus of Naturopathy is on its philosophy of natural self-healing rather than specific methods, and practitioners use a wide variety of treatment modalities.Many methods rely on immaterial "vital energy fields," and naturopathy as a field tends towards isolation from general scientific discourse. The effectiveness of naturopathy as a whole system has not been systematically evaluated, and efficacy of individual methods used varies.
A consultation typically begins with a lengthy patient interview focusing on lifestyle, medical history, emotional tone, and physical features, as well as physical examination.Naturopaths do not necessarily recommend vaccines and antibiotics, and may provide inappropriate alternative remedies even in cases where evidence-based medicine has been shown effective. All forms of naturopathic education include concepts incompatible with basic science, and do not necessarily prepare a practitioner to make appropriate diagnosis or referrals.
Methods
The particular modalities utilized by an individual naturopath varies with training and scope of practice. The demonstrated efficacy and scientific rationale also varies. These include:
Acupuncture
Applied kinesiology
Botanical medicine
Chelation therapy for atherosclerosis
colonic enemas
Color therapy
Cranial osteopathy
Hair analysis
Homeopathy
Iridology
Live blood analysis
Nature cure - a range of therapies based upon exposure to natural elements such as sunshine, fresh air, heat, or cold
Nutrition (examples include vegetarian and wholefood diet, fasting, and abstention from alcohol and sugar)
Ozone therapy
Physical medicine (includes naturopathic, osseous, and soft tissue manipulative therapy, sports medicine, exercise and hydrotherapy)
Psychological counseling (examples include meditation, relaxation and other methods of stress management
Public health measures and hygiene
Reflexology
Rolfing
Traditional Chinese medicine
Practitioners
Naturopathic care is available from three broad categories: practitioners with a four year degree or similar formal training; practitioners who are self-taught or have been apprenticed to another naturopath; and practitioners who operate under another professional license while also offering some naturopathic methods. In unregulated jurisdictions, the designation Doctor of Naturopathy and similar terms are not protected and may be used by any practitioner regardless of qualifications.
Naturopathic doctors
Main article: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic doctor (ND) or a similar term is a protected designation with some form of licensing and training requirements in at least 15
The core set of interventions defined by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and taught at all six accredited schools in North America includes:acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathy, nature cure (a range of therapies based upon exposure to natural elements), nutrition, physical medicine, and psychological counseling.
Traditional naturopaths
Traditional naturopaths are guided by the same naturopathic philosophies and principles as board-licensed naturopathic doctors and often prescribe similar treatments. Traditional naturopaths however, are not primary care providers, whereas graduates of CNME accredited naturopathic medicine schools are classified as both alternative or complementary practitioners as well as primary care providers. Traditional naturopaths may voluntarily join a professional organization, but these organizations do not accredit educational programs in any meaningful way or license practitioners, per se.[citation needed] The training programs for traditional naturopaths can vary greatly. Compared to naturopathic medical schools, traditional naturopaths' training programs are less rigorous and do not provide the same basic and clinical science education.[citation needed] The professional organizations formed by traditional naturopaths are not recognized by the government of the
Other health care professionals
According to a 1998 taskforce report, some physicians are choosing to add naturopathic modalities to their practice, and states such as Texas have begun to establish practice guidelines for MDs who integrate alternative and complementary medicine into their practice.Continuing education in naturopathic modalities for health care professionals varies greatly but includes offerings for many professions, including physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, dentists, researchers, veterinarians, physician assistants, and nurses. These professionals usually retain their original designation but may use terms such as 'holistic', 'natural', or 'integrative' to describe their practice.
Regulation
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (June 2009)
There is no state licensure in
In 1977 a committee reviewed all colleges of naturopathy in
In
Naturopathy and Yoga, as an Indian system of medicine, falls under the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
"Central Council for Research in Naturopathy & Yoga": The Government of India after having recognized the need for systematic Research and Development of Yoga & Naturopathy in the country, established the “Central Council for Research in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy” in 1969 as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This organization, first of its kind was established in
"National
In five Canadian provinces, fifteen
In
Canadian provinces which license naturopathic doctors:
US jurisdictions that currently regulate or license naturopathy include: Alaska, Arizona,California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas,Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Vermont, New Hampshire, Oregon, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Utah, Washington. Additionally,Florida and Virginia license the practice of naturopathy under a grandfather clause.
US jurisdictions that permit access to prescription drugs: Arizona, California,District of Columbia, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Vermont, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
US jurisdictions that permit minor surgery:
US states which specifically prohibit the practice of naturopathy:
In the
Members of this register will either have completed a three or four year full time course or possibly be a healthcare professional who has completed a two year post-graduate Naturopathic Diploma (ND).
Alternatively, there are the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and The British Naturopathic Association whose members can practice and get indemnity insurance.