Author: James Anderson

A Guide to Naturopathic Doctors and Their Practice

Your ND will likely refer you to another healthcare provider if they can’t provide the treatment you need. Regulations vary around the world, but in the United States, licensed naturopathic doctors are real medical professionals who can provide many of the same services that medical doctors do. The term “homeopathic doctor” is a label applied to physicians, or sometimes non-physicians, who claim to practice Homeopathic Medicine. However, there is no license or recognized medical school for Homeopathic Medicine in any state in the United States.

Naturopathic Practitioner or Naturopath

Similarly, while practices like acupuncture are considered unharmful, few studies have shown robust evidence that it helps treat any serious medical condition. The education and accreditation requirements for these providers vary widely, as does the regulation of certain specialties. As such, it is in your interest to find and research accredited specialists, working with your primary care provider rather than independently of them. This article explains what integrative medicine is as well as the types of providers who may participate in your care.

Conventional medicine often focuses primarily on the physical symptoms of disease. Holistic health also focuses on how other aspects of a person’s life, including environment, spirituality, and culture, contribute to their health. You’ll then work closely with the practitioner to develop a personalized wellness plan based on your immediate health needs.

Definition of naturopathic medicine

According to the holistic medicine philosophy, you can achieve the best possible health by gaining proper balance in life. Acupuncturists and Chinese herbalists typically graduate with master’s degrees or doctoral degrees in acupuncture and/or Chinese Medicine. They must be board certified and licensed to practice acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. However, you might meet with someone who suggests an herbal remedy or supplement that should not be used to treat your condition or that interacts with a medication you take. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s always safe, especially if you have an underlying medical condition. One study of stroke patients in South Korea compared those who received more conventional medical care to those who received a more holistic care approach.

Even more traditional medical doctors (MDs) often take a more holistic, preventative approach. Whatever provider you choose, you want to find someone credentialed and highly trained. A naturopathic physician or ND, is a medical doctor if they graduate from a four-year, accredited naturopathic medical school.

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1. In the United States, there are strict regulations surrounding the practice of naturopathic medicine.
2. Herbs and supplements are taken like medicines but regulated like foods.
3. Find out what the laws in your jurisdiction allow naturopathic practitioners to do.
4. If you’re looking for a doctor who will treat you by possibly combining allopathic/Western therapies with a CAM approach, then a naturopathic doctor may be the right choice for you.

Naturopathic medical schools, like any medical school, are four-year, in-residence, hands-on medical programs consisting of a minimum of 4,100 hours of class and clinical training. During naturopathic medical school, students are educated in the biomedical sciences as well as the latest advances in science in combination with natural approaches to therapy. In other words, they don’t just treat the symptoms, they find and treat the root causes of disease.1 Allopathic, or traditional medicine, surgery or other conventional treatments, may also be used. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the idea that every person has a life flow, or chi. Traditional Chinese medicine aims to restore the flow using acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and a type of mind-body exercise called qi gong. Practitioners can become certified after completing 3 to 4 years of study at an accredited institution.

What are the different types of holistic doctors?

Read the following excerpt from the Mayo Clinic Guide to Integrative Medicine. To find a holistic practitioner in your area, visit the American Holistic Health Association website. There you can use an online provider search to find a practitioner near you.

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Ultimately, this is what has led to the current term integrative medicine. Holistic doctors believe there’s a connection between your body systems. They believe optimal health and wellness include a balance of your mind, body and spirit. People treated by holistic providers often experience increased satisfaction with their care.

Benefits of Holistic Health

There are many forms of holistic medicine, including some that combine traditional Western medical techniques with alternative treatments. Some non-medical approaches, like exercise, a healthy diet, and stress reduction, are well-researched and known to work well. Others, like IV vitamin treatments, have little scientific evidence to back them up. That’s why it’s best to use such treatments to complement standard medical treatments, not replace them.

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With this tool, you can search for licensed NDs using a variety of parameters, including practice focus, treatment modalities, and insurance. Residency training can take anywhere from 3 to 7 years, depending on the program and specialty. The student can then take an exam to become a state-licensed and board-certified doctor of medicine (MD). Medical doctors begin their journey by taking an exam called the MCAT, which affords them admission to medical school. After passing the MCAT, students are required to complete a 4-year doctoral program before being accepted into a residency program.