What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
When I was in undergraduate school, I followed a non-traditional pre-medical route (Bachelor of science in Public Health). I did this to avoid taking the plethora of difficult ecology classes that were classically included in the standard pre-med curriculum. What I learned however, was that public health is FOUNDATIONAL to a healthy, functional society. That the health disparities plaguing our nation are intimately tied to socioeconomic disparities, and thus, solutions need to be directed at completely changing the paradigm. These insights, coupled with my own negative experiences in dealing with doctors and chronic illness, led me to feel disenchanted with the standard medical route. I wanted to help heal people, not bandage their symptoms and wait for them to become ill again. The standard model of disease left me with the question: what does health actually look like? With slightly less than a year until my graduation, my best friend’s aunt suggested that she look into the growing field of holistic medicine. Together we did some research and found Naturopathic medicine, the system that integrates both conventional and holistic methods of healing. I added some physics classes (the only required prerequisite I was missing) and the rest was history! I knew I had found a system of medicine that allowed me to combine the best science had to offer and traditional wisdom, and I never looked back.
What does your training look like?
To be accepted into a four-year CNME accredited naturopathic school, students must have a bachelors degree and have met the usual course requirements of a pre-med curriculum. During the rigorous four year program, students learn the same basic sciences as our MD colleagues, with additional emphasis on disease prevention and nontoxic therapies. We are skilled in clinical nutrition, physical medicine, homeopathy, botanical medicine, and counseling. Though the first two years of the program are comparable to a conventional medical school, our clinical training starts the second year and continues throughout. By the last year, we are student interns working underneath an attending physician, which allows for real patient interactions, as well as the opportunity to work with a diverse group of individuals at community clinics and shelters. For a comparison of hours and training curriculum, click here. In Oregon, naturopathic medical students are trained as primary care physicians.
A quick note on accreditation: The Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is recognized by the US Department of Education. This becomes important to note as N.D.’s are not federally regulated at this time; thus, there are individuals that can attain an online “naturopathic training” and can call themselves a naturopathic doctor. While this training may be good, it is not accredited by this board and its graduates not distinguishable as licensed N.D.’s. For a list of accredited naturopathic schools, click here.
Tenants of Naturopathic Medicine
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): there are three general guidelines Naturopathic doctors follow to avoid causing harm:
Always use the least force necessary to diagnose and treat and utilize substances/methods that minimize the risk of harmful side effects
When possible, always avoid the suppression of symptoms
Acknowledge, respect, and work with an individuals’ own healing process
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): Naturopathic medicine believes that the body possesses an inherent and intelligent capacity to heal itself. Naturopathic physicians work with individuals to identify and remove these barriers so as to facilitate the body’s own healing response.
Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam): Naturopathic physicians work with individuals to find the root cause(s) of imbalance, rather than alleviating the symptoms.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere): Naturopathic doctors believe in the immense value of a therapeutic doctor-patient relationship. This relationship is based on patient education and allowing individuals the opportunity to take responsibility for their own health.
Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic doctors take into account the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, genetic, environmental, and social aspects of a person’s well being. We acknowledge that the body and mind are intimately connected.
Prevention: Naturopathic physician emphasize prevention by assessing risk factors and genetic predispositions to certain illness. Together, patient and doctor develop a plan to reduce risks and prevent illness.