What is Naturopathic Medicine
A naturopathic doctor (ND) is a primary care, general practitioner trained as an expert in natural medicine. NDs are the only primary care doctors clinically trained in the use of a wide variety of natural therapeutics. Patients consult with NDs for preventive medicine as well as for almost all acute and chronic conditions.
Naturopathic doctors attempt to find the underlying cause of the patient's condition and promote wellness in body and mind, rather than focus solely on symptomatic treatment.
NDs refer and collaborate with other medical professionals. We will refer patients to other practitioners when appropriate. Naturopathic medicine can complement other medical care and offer recommendations to lessen the adverse effects and speed recovery time.
Education
A naturopathic doctor (ND) attends a four-year, fully accredited medical school and is educated in all of the same basic and clinical sciences as other medical doctors and also studies many alternative medical modalities, such as clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy and counseling. In addition, a naturopathic doctor takes rigorous professional basic science and clinical board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician
Naturopathic medical schools have admission requirements and coursework comparable to those of conventional medical schools. At Naturopathic Medical schools, students are trained in the sciences of:
|
|
In addition to standard medical curriculum which includes two years of internship, the naturopathic physician is required to complete training in:
- Clinical nutrition
- Botanical medicine
- Psychology
- Counseling
- Stress management
- Homeopathic medicine
- Physical medicine
- Hydrotherapy
- Therapeutic Ultrasound
- Gentle electrical impulses
- Exercise therapy
- Naturopathic manipulation of muscles, bones and spine
Accreditation
The accrediting agency for naturopathic medical schools in the United States is the Council on Naturopathic Medical School Education (CNME). The CNME is the only accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education to accredit naturopathic programs and colleges.
There are currently 4 naturopathic medical schools in the United States.
- The National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) in Portland, OR
- Bastyr University in Kenmore Washington
- Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM) in Tempe, Arizona
- Dept. of Naturopathic Medicine at University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, CT
