Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

 

 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Naturopathy

What is naturopathy?

Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, is a system of medicine based on the healing power of nature. Naturopathy is a holistic system, meaning that naturopathic doctors (N.D.s) or naturopathic medical doctors (N.M.D.s) strive to find the cause of disease by understanding the body, mind, and spirit of the person. Most naturopathic doctors use a variety of therapies and techniques (such as nutrition, behavior change, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and acupuncture).

There are 2 areas of focus in naturopathy: one is supporting the body's own healing abilities, and the other is empowering people to make lifestyle changes necessary for the best possible health. While naturopathic doctors treat both short bouts of illness and chronic conditions, their emphasis is on preventing disease and educating patients.

What is the history of naturopathy?

The modern form of naturopathy can be traced to 18th and 19th century natural healing systems. Such systems include hydrotherapy (water therapy), which was popular in Germany and nature cure, developed in Austria, based on the use of food, air, light, water, and herbs to treat illness.

Benjamin Lust, a German immigrant, first introduced naturopathy to the United States in 1902 when he founded the American School of Naturopathy. The school emphasized the use of natural cures, proper bowel habits, and good hygiene as the tools for health. This was the first time that principles of a healthy diet, like increasing fiber intake and reducing saturated fats, became popular.

In the mid 1920s to 1940, the use of naturopathic medicine declined. It was not until the 1960s that naturopathic-style holistic medicine became popular again. Today, naturopaths are licensed care providers in many states. They offer a variety of natural therapies, including homeopathy, vitamin and mineral supplements, Traditional Chinese Medicine, relaxation techniques, and herbal remedies.

What should I expect from a visit to a naturopath?

A visit to a naturopathic doctor, or N.D., will be similar to a visit to your family doctor. Your first visit may take more than one hour. The doctor will take a very thorough history, asking about your diet, lifestyle, stress, and environmental exposures. Next, the N.D. will do a physical examination, which may require laboratory tests. In addition to conventional tests, N.D.s may use unique laboratory techniques, such as the Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis (CDSA). This test allows naturopaths to examine your digestive process, as well as see which nutrients your body is absorbing, among other things.

Naturopathic doctors treat the whole person, which means they consider a variety of factors before they diagnose an illness. An N.D. might look at your mental, emotional, and spiritual state; your diet; your family history; your environment; and your lifestyle before making a diagnosis.

Some of the more common treatments used by a naturopath include:

  • Nutritional counseling
  • Herbal medicine
  • Homeopathic medicine
  • Acupuncture
  • Hydrotherapy (water therapy) -- These therapies include drinking natural spring water, taking baths, alternating hot and cold applications, and water exercise, all of which are thought to stimulate healing and strengthen the immune system.
  • Physical medicine -- This natural approach to healing involves using touch, hot and cold compresses, electric currents, and sound waves to manipulate the muscles, bones, and spine.
  • Detoxification -- This therapy removes toxins from the body by fasting, using enemas, and drinking lots of water.
  • Spirituality -- Personal spiritual development is encouraged as part of an overall health program.
  • Lifestyle and psychological counseling -- An N.D. may use hypnosis, guided imagery, or other counseling methods as part of a treatment plan.

Naturopaths consider patients to be participants in their health care, so you may be asked to make lifestyle changes, such as changing your sleeping, eating, and exercise habits.

What illnesses and conditions respond well to naturopathy?

Because naturopaths combine so many therapies, it is difficult to single out specific illnesses that respond well to naturopathy. Naturopaths treat both acute and chronic conditions from arthritis to ear infections (otitis media), from HIV to asthma, from congestive heart failure to hepatitis. N.D.s treat the whole person, rather than only treating a disease or its symptoms, aiming to help their patients maintain a balanced state of good health. Because of this holistic approach, naturopathy may be especially suited for treating chronic illnesses.

Is there anything I should look out for?

Be sure to let your medical doctor (M.D.) know about any naturopathic treatment, and let your N.D. know about any conventional medications you are taking. Some treatments can interact with each other, and your health care practitioners will be better able to treat you if they know every therapy you are using. Do not take high doses of nutrients and herbs without your N.D.’s supervision, because of potential toxic effects and drug/herb interactions. Please see the monographs on individual herbs and supplements for detailed information. Make sure that your doctor approves any major changes in your diet, so they don’t undermine your health (especially in the very young, the elderly, and those with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes).

How can I find a qualified practitioner?

As of 2009, 15 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have licensing laws for naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from a 4-year, residential naturopathic medical school and pass a postdoctoral board examination (NPLEX) to become licensed.

Licensed naturopathic physicians must fulfill state mandated continuing education requirements each year, and have a specific scope of practice identified by state law. The 15 states include:

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • District of Columbia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • New Hampshire
  • Oregon
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Washington
  • United States Territories: Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands

Naturopathic doctors (N.D.) take a structured, 4-year program to earn their degree. There are correspondence courses that offer naturopathic degrees, but people who take them have not had the same training as an N.D.

In states that do not license naturopathic doctors, people who have taken online courses can call themselves N.D.s. Make sure your naturopathic doctor has graduated from a residential program approved by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP): www.naturopathic.org .

 

References

Atwood KC 4th. Naturopathy: a critical appraisal. MedGenMed. 2003 Dec 30;5(4):39.

Boon HS, Cherkin DC, Erro J, et al., Practice patterns of naturopathic physicians: results from a random survey of licensed practitioners in two US States. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004;4:14.

Bradley R, Oberg EB. Naturopathic medicine and type 2 diabetes: a retrospective analysis from an academic clinic. Altern Med Rev . 2006;11(1):30-9.

Dunn JM, Wilkinson JM. Naturopathic management of rheumatoid arthritis. Mod Rheumatol . 2005;15(2):87-90.

Fleming S, Gutknecht N. Neuropathy and the Primary Care Practice. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2010;37(1).

Head KA, Kelly GS. Nutrients and botanicals for treatment of stress: adrenal fatigue, neurotransmitter imbalance, anxiety, and restless sleep. Altern Med Rev . 2009 Jun;14(2):114-40.

Jacobs J, Jimenez LM, Malthouse S, et al. Homeopathic treatment of acute childhood diarrhea: results from a clinical trial in Nepal . J Altern Complement Med. 2000;6(2):131-139.

Jagtenberg T, Evans S, Grant A, Howden I, Lewis M, Singer J. Evidence-based medicine and naturopathy. J Altern Complement Med . 2006;12(3):323-8.

Mehrotra R, Bajaj S, Kumar D. Use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with diabetes mellitus. Natl Med J India . 2004;17(5):243-5.

Murthy SN, Rao NS, Nandkumar B, Kadam A. Role of naturopathy and yoga treatment in the management of hypertension. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011;17(1):9-12.

Pizzorno JE Jr. Survey of naturopathic physicians: implications and recommendations. Altern Ther Health Med. 2002;8(4):38-39.

Pizzorno JE. Naturopathic medicine -- a 10-year perspective (from a 35-year view). Altern Ther Health Med . 2005;11(2):24-6.

Sarrell EM, Mandelberg A, Cohen HA. Efficacy of naturopathic extracts in the management of ear pain associated with acute otitis media. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med . 2001 Jul;155(7):796-799.

Sathyaprabha TN , Murthy H, Murthy BT. Efficacy of naturopathy and yoga in bronchial asthma -- a self controlled matched scientific study. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2001;45(1):80-86.

Shinto L, Calabrese C, Morris C, Sinsheimer S, Bourdette D. Complementary and alternative medicine in multiple sclerosis: survey of licensed naturopaths. J Altern Complement Med . 2004;10(5):891-7.

Shinto L, Calabrese C, Morris C, Yadav V, Griffith D, Frank R, Oken BS, Baldauf-Wagner S, Bourdette D. A randomized pilot study of naturopathic medicine in multiple sclerosis. J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Jun;14(5):489-96. Erratum in: J Altern Complement Med . 2008 Jul;14(6):793.

Smith C, Martin K, Hotham E, Semple S, Bloustien G, Rao D. Naturopaths practice behaviour: provision and access to information on complementary and alternative medicines. BMC Complement Altern Med . 2005;5:15.

Smith MJ, Logan AC. Naturopathy . Med Clin North Am. 2002;86(1):173-184.

Standish LJ, Greene K, Greenlee H, Kim JG, Grosshans C. Complementary and alternative medical treatment of breast cancer: a survey of licensed North American naturopathic physicians. Altern Ther Health Med. 2002;8(5):68-70;72-75.

Szczurko O, Cooley K, Mills EJ, Zhou Q, Perri D, Seely D. Naturopathic treatment of rotator cuff tendinitis among Canadian postal workers: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum . 2009 Aug 15;61(8):1037-45.

Votova K, Wister AV. Self-care dimensions of complementary and alternative medicine use among older adults. Gerontology . 2007;53(1):21-7.

Wasner M, Klier H, Borasio GD. The use of alternative medicine by patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurol Sci. 2001;191(1-2):151-154.

        The Basics

         

          Advanced Study

           
            hide

             

             

             

            Review Date: 10/13/2011  

            Reviewed By: Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD, Solutions Acupuncture, a private practice specializing in complementary and alternative medicine, Phoenix, AZ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

            The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

            A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.


            Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.