Naturopathy is a blend of different therapies, all attempting to restore the body to health in the most natural way possible. Based on the idea that the body has the innate ability to fight disease, its techniques are noninvasive and designed to stimulate the body's natural healing powers.

Naturopaths believe disease is not just a physical symptom, but rather a product of the mind, spirit and body. A consultation may include analysis of your medical history, lifestyle, diet, exercise habits, stress, relationships, sleep patterns, bowel habits and mental and spiritual health. The goal is to find the underlying cause of illness. They also assess a patient's unique situation, paving the way to create optimal health, not to just treat disease.

Since naturopathic physicians are often trained in many disciplines, their treatments, including homeopathy and acupuncture, can be varied and diverse. Naturopathy can be good for symptoms that are incurable through conventional medicine. Without the use of drugs or surgery, naturopathy aims to treat conditions such as recurrent infections, arthritis, asthma, skin problems, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome and depression.

Naturopathic practitioners uphold six basic principles: nature has the power to heal; treat the cause, not the effect; treat the whole person; do no harm; encourage prevention; and act as a teacher.

Common Types of Naturopathy

Naturopathic doctors are primary physicians who use naturopathy to prevent, diagnose and treat disease. They have an extensive educational background: training of at least five years in anatomy, physiology, chemistry and organic chemistry. These professionals can perform minor surgeries and pharmacology. Antibiotics and other conventional medicines are avoided in favor of noninvasive, organic and natural treatments, such as clinical nutrition and physical medicine.

Traditional naturopaths obtain their education from vocational schools, distance learning programs, self-study or apprenticeships with other practitioners. While they do not have degrees from medical school, they hold certificates from professional naturopathic organizations and learn physiology, anatomy and specialized treatments. They treat the person as a whole, encouraging holistic healing physically, mentally and emotionally.

Common Treatment Techniques

Diet and Lifestyle
Diet and lifestyle changes treat the cause and not the effect of disease. As food contains many of the natural nutrients needed to heal the body, diet can be adjusted to improve such body functions as digestion and excretion. To improve a patient's physical, mental and emotional health, a naturopath may suggest lifestyle changes, such as abstaining from fast food, increasing exercise or practicing anger management. If a patient has a headache, a naturopath would find the cause of the headache, whether it's low blood sugar or emotional stress.

Physical Medicine
Physical medicine uses physical techniques, such as massage, exercise, ultrasound, water, heat, and gentle electrical pulses, to stimulate, rejuvenate, and heal the body. Physical medicine also includes hydrotherapy, the use of water to improve circulation, relieve pain, and flush waste from the body. Techniques include heated water, cold baths, whirlpools, steam rooms and water jets.

Nutritional Supplements
Because naturopaths believe the body can heal itself, organic chemicals found in nutritional supplements can work together with the body's natural chemicals to improve functions such as immunity. Nutritional supplements and herbs are used to treat conditions from ear infections to cancer.

Botanical Medicine
Botanical Medicine (or phytomedicine) uses plants for medicinal purposes. Plant extracts have the power to treat many symptoms with minimal risk of side effects. Herbal medicine is also used as a preventive measure.

Acupuncture
See Acupuncture Basics

Homeopathy
Homeopathic literally means "same disease" and is based on the idea that what causes illness or symptoms in a healthy person will be able to cure the illness or symptoms of a sick person.

Credentials

Licensed Naturopathic Physician (N.D.)
Licensed naturopathic physicians are educated in the same sciences as medical doctors, but their studies also include holistic approaches. Attendance at a four-year graduate-level N.D. medical school is required. A strong emphasis is placed on disease prevention, wellness, diet and nutrition, as well as on the correct use of herbal agents.

Naturopaths receive certification or registration from their place of training.

Last Reviewed: May 12, 2006
Last Reviewed By: Josephine Yatar