Naturopathic Medicine

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Overview

Naturopathic medicine is a system of medicine that uses natural therapeutics to maintain health and bring about cure. It is based on vitalism, a medical philosophy that views a person as a vital being consisting of a body, mind, and spirit, all constantly interacting with each other in ways that are not yet understood, not just a complex mass of chemical and physical reactions.

Vitalists assert that illness is not directly caused by a pathogen (disease-causing organism, i.e., virus, bacterium), but is the result of the body's response to a pathogen and its attempt to defend and heal itself. Given the opportunity, the body has the ability to heal itself. A naturopathic doctors assists the body by increasing resistance to pathogens and aiding the healing process.

The term "naturopathy" was first used around 1895 to describe the growing number of doctors and healers who believed that treating the person and promoting health were more important than simply alleviating the symptoms of disease. In 1902 Benedict Lust, considered the father of naturopathy, wrote: "In a word, Naturopathy stands for the reconciling, harmonizing and unifying of nature, humanity and God." During World War II, natural healing was pushed to the background by the development of medical technology and the increased use of drugs such as penicillin and morphine. Then, in the late 1960s, natural medicine began regaining respect. Today, naturopathic medicine continues to grow in popularity and acceptance as people continue to look for alternatives to drugs and surgery.

What Conditions Do Naturopathic Doctors Treat?
Naturopathic doctors treat most conditions. Naturopathic medicine can be used alone or in conjunction with other alternative methods or conventional medicine to treat the following:

• Acute conditions such as headaches, sore throats, colds and flu, intestinal upsets, ear infections, contact dermatitis, urinary tract infections, and sprains and strains
• Chronic illnesses such as migraine, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, cancer, and musculoskeletal pain
• Mental and emotional problems such as stress, depression, anxiety, and anger
• Pregnancy and childbirth

What Methods Do Naturopathic Doctors Use?
Naturopathic doctors use the following diagnostic and treatment modalities:

• Nutritional medicine—In 420 BC, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, said, "Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can cure the patient with food." Many of the chronic health problems that plague Americans today are the result of poor dietary and lifestyle choices. Illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cancer, and gastrointestinal problems develop as a consequence of the food we choose. By changing our diet and adopting a healthy lifestyle, we can often change or reverse the course of an illness and restore health. Naturopathic doctors are trained in assessing nutritional status and recommending dietary changes and vitamin and mineral supplementation.
• Botanical medicine— Botanical medicine (phytotherapy) has been used for thousands of years. Current scientific studies have validated the use of many plants as medicines. Today, 80% of the world's population uses plants to treat illness. Plants are used medicinally because they do not have high toxicity, accumulate in the body, or cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms. Herbs are used to enhance immune function; improve digestion; normalize bodily functions; destroy bacteria, viruses, and fungi; soothe irritated tissues; calm nerves; and relax muscles. Examples of botanical treatments are teas, poultices, and tinctures.
• Hydrotherapy—Hydrotherapy, or water therapy, is the application of water to initiate cure. It is a safe and painless therapy that can be done at home for all types of injury and illness. Some common hydrotherapy treatments are hot foot bath, constitutional hydrotherapy, warming socks, and the castor oil pack.
• Homeopathy—In the 18th century, Dr. Samuel Hahneman discovered that substances that cause specific symptoms in large doses could cure those same symptoms in infinitesimal doses. For example, when a healthy individual is given quinine in large doses, it produces symptoms of malaria. Yet, when very small doses of quinine are given to an individual with malaria, it helps ease the symptoms. This is known as the Law of Similars. Homeopathic medicines, known as remedies, are produced from animals, plants, and minerals. The naturopathic doctors prescribes remedies based on an individual's unique symptoms or characteristics. This means that two people who have the flu may receive different remedies because their symptoms are different. It requires training and skill to determine the appropriate remedy. When the appropriate remedy (called the similimum) is given, it can produce powerful and effective results. Homeopathy is used to treat all forms of acute and chronic illness and injury and is safe for children, pregnant or lactating women, and the elderly.
• Diagnostic radiology and other imaging techniques
• Physical medicine (i.e., ultrasound, microcurrent, manipulation)
• Minor surgery
• Naturopathic obstetrics (requires additional training)

Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is based on six principles.

• The Healing Power of Nature (vix medicatrix naturae)—The body has the inherent ability to heal itself. This healing process is intelligent and ordered. Naturopathic doctors support and assist the healing process by identifying and removing obstacles to cure and by using natural methods and medicines that work with, not against, the body's natural processes.
• Identify and Treat the Cause (tolle causum)—Every illness has a cause. Causes may occur on the physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual level. Symptoms are expressions of the body's attempt to heal, but are not the cause of illness. Naturopathic doctors are trained to find and remove the underlying cause of an illness rather than just eliminate or suppress symptoms.
• First Do No Harm (primum non nocere)—Naturopathic doctors use methods and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side effects. Methods designed to suppress symptoms but not remove the underlying cause may be harmful, and their use is avoided.
• Doctor as Teacher (docere)—The original meaning of the word "doctor" is teacher. A principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health.
• Treat the Whole Person—When treating an individual, all aspects of that person (physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual) are taken into account.
• Prevention is the Best Cure—Illness is often due to diet, habits, and lifestyle. Naturopathic doctors assess risk factors and susceptibility to disease and make appropriate recommendations to prevent illness or to prevent minor illness from developing into more serious or chronic disease. The emphasis is on building health rather than treating disease.

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