What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct healthcare profession with a holistic approach to patient wellness. It emphasizes disease prevention through the use of naturopathic therapeutic modalities that facilitate the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Naturopathic medicine seeks to identify and treat the underlying causes of illness instead of solely focusing on symptoms. It combines evidence-based scientific knowledge with traditional natural therapies to determine the best treatment for every patient.
Naturopathic doctors are primary healthcare practitioners who have graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school. They have passed standardized licensing exams and are regulated by state regulatory bodies, which ensure they remain in good standing. Naturopathic doctors are trained to diagnose and treat all medical concerns, using a variety of therapies such as nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, osseous manipulation, hydrotherapy, and lifestyle counseling.
Naturopathic doctors are primary healthcare practitioners who have graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school. They have passed standardized licensing exams and are regulated by state regulatory bodies, which ensure they remain in good standing. Naturopathic doctors are trained to diagnose and treat all medical concerns, using a variety of therapies such as nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture, osseous manipulation, hydrotherapy, and lifestyle counseling.
Education of a Licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND)
In order to become a fully qualified naturopathic doctor (ND), a four-year Bachelor’s degree is required, followed by a four-year doctoral-level degree from a naturopathic medical school. Accredited naturopathic medical schools are regulated by the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) in North America and have rigorous admissions requirements similar to conventional medical schools. Students complete over 4100 hours of medical science coursework (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, urology, gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, dermatology, neurology, radiology, neuroanatomy, psychology, pharmacology, and clinical diagnosis) and specialized naturopathic techniques (therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, massage therapy, osseous manipulation, IV therapy, minor surgery, psychotherapy, and counseling), as well as 1200 hours of supervised clinical training.
In order to qualify for licensure, naturopathic doctors must pass two sets of the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX), a test that is standardized for North America. Upon successful completion of NPLEX I and II, naturopathic doctors must be registered by state regulatory bodies in order to receive their license. To maintain a license and remain in good standing, naturopathic doctors are required to complete continuing education hours every year.
Dr. Jessica White maintains a license in the State of Colorado (as Wyoming is not yet regulated for NDs), which can be verified here.
In order to qualify for licensure, naturopathic doctors must pass two sets of the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX), a test that is standardized for North America. Upon successful completion of NPLEX I and II, naturopathic doctors must be registered by state regulatory bodies in order to receive their license. To maintain a license and remain in good standing, naturopathic doctors are required to complete continuing education hours every year.
Dr. Jessica White maintains a license in the State of Colorado (as Wyoming is not yet regulated for NDs), which can be verified here.
Naturopathic vs. Conventional Medicine
Naturopathic and conventional medicine differ in their philosophical approach to treating a patient. While conventional medicine relies heavily on pharmaceutical drugs and surgical interventions targeting the symptoms of disease, naturopathic medicine seeks to discover the underlying root causes of illness with a focus on disease prevention. Naturopathic medicine strives to use the most effective and least invasive therapies possible, in order to minimize adverse side effects.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are medically trained in all of the same biomedical and diagnostic sciences that MDs are at conventional medical schools. In addition, naturopathic doctors also study naturopathic treatment modalities (eg. therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, IV therapy), providing them with a comprehensive, holistic approach to treat and prevent disease. Naturopathic doctors recognize patients as individuals by taking into consideration the unique physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the whole person. Treatment plans are tailored according to a patient’s individual needs. Naturopathic doctors strive to empower patients by partnering with them and providing education in order to enable patients to take control of their decision-making for their own health.
In many cases, collaboration between various healthcare practitioners can integrate the best aspects of conventional and complementary medicine, thus providing patients with superior medical care that promotes optimal health.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are medically trained in all of the same biomedical and diagnostic sciences that MDs are at conventional medical schools. In addition, naturopathic doctors also study naturopathic treatment modalities (eg. therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, IV therapy), providing them with a comprehensive, holistic approach to treat and prevent disease. Naturopathic doctors recognize patients as individuals by taking into consideration the unique physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the whole person. Treatment plans are tailored according to a patient’s individual needs. Naturopathic doctors strive to empower patients by partnering with them and providing education in order to enable patients to take control of their decision-making for their own health.
In many cases, collaboration between various healthcare practitioners can integrate the best aspects of conventional and complementary medicine, thus providing patients with superior medical care that promotes optimal health.
