What Is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a form of primary care that utilizes modern science with traditional and natural forms of medicine. It emphasizes the use of natural modalities such as nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle counseling to promote wellness and treat illness.

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) focus on educating patients as well as treating the root cause of each problem, rather than just relieving the symptoms that patients are experiencing. Naturopathic medicine can be used in conjunction with conventional medical therapies to support the body’s healing process - an approach known as integrative medicine. In some clinics, NDs work with MDs, DOs, PTs, DCs, and acupuncturists to provide the patient with the best healing method possible.

Naturopathic Principles:

• The Healing Power of Nature: trust the body’s inherent wisdom to heal itself

• Identify and Treat the Causes: look beyond the symptoms and treat the roots of the problem

• First Do No Harm: use the most natural, least invasive, and least toxic therapies possible

• Doctor as Teacher: educate patients about the steps needed to maintain an optimal healthy lifestyle

• Treat the Whole Body: view the body as an integrated whole to treat the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects

• Prevention: focus on overall health, wellness, and disease prevention

To learn more about Naturopathic Medicine, please visit https://aanmc.org/naturopathic-medicine/