Naturopathic Medicine is a system of health care according to which natural remedies are used. Those, who practice naturopathic medicine, are known as naturopathic doctors. They apply this science to prevent, diagnose, manage, and treat problems connected with health. Naturopatic practioners have the training at accredited, four-year, post-graduate, residential naturopathic medical programs. The training includes comprehensive study of the conventional medical sciences, such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, etc, and detailed study of many natural therapies.
There are six principles of naturopathic Medicine. Among them one can call:
1) Do No Harm
2) Use The Healing Power of Nature
3) Find the Cause
4) Treat the Whole Body
5) Use Preventive Medicine
6) Doctor is a Teacher.
Those, who deal with this science, apply such natural therapies as clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, and counseling. Frequently, additional training and certification in acupuncture and natural childbirth procedure is added. Naturopathic Medicine can be used together with traditional medicine and complement it. Thus, the doctor can choose the best treatment for an individual's needs.
Naturopathic Medicine has in its complex accredited educational institutions, professional licensing, national standards of practice, peer review, and a commitment to state-of-the-art scientific research.
Naturopathic medicine appeared in the United States in the 20th century and was developed by Benedict Lust. Since ancient times it includes the appling of herbal remedies, dietary supplements, hydrotherapy, and lifestyle changes. The main principle of naturopathic medicine formulated by Hippocrates, a Greek physician is the use of "the healing power of nature". With the appearance of drugs and different antibiotics, naturopathic medicine was not so widely used at mid-century. By the 1970, Americans have been interested in alternative medicine and the effective use of naturopathic medicine. Since that time, all kinds of complementary and alternative medicine began to rejuvenate.
Nowadays, there are three accredited naturopathic medical programs in the United States that last four years and two programs in Canada that can be accreditated soon. There is an independent accrediting agency known as the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) that establish and maintain the educational standards. There is also a nationally standardized licensing exam (NPLEX). Those, who want to treat with naturopathic medicine, should correspond to demands for naturopathic education and treatment. Nowadays, there are fourteen states licensing naturopatic practitioners. Those, who practice naturopathic medicine, should diagnose and cure health disorders, perform physical exams and laboratory testing.
All American naturopathic practioners are the members of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), the organization that provides the development of this science, especially the development of the profession’s educational and practice standards.
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