Naturopathic medicine bridges the gap between natural and conventional medicine. It is a distinct and comprehensive form of medicine that blends centuries-old, natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health and human systems. Naturopathic medicine covers all aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care, with a special focus on whole-patient wellness. Naturopathic physicians are specifically trained to integrate natural and conventional medicine. As such, Naturopathic physicians complement and enrich other medical models and treatment modalities.
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Philosophy and Treatment Methods
Naturopathic physicians are trained as integrative doctors, emphasizing the use of natural therapies in the treatment and prevention of acute and chronic illnesses. Naturopathic practice is predicated upon the assumption that the human body is inherently capable of healing itself. In practice, NDs perform physical examinations, take thorough health histories, make nutritional and dietary assessments, and order lab tests. NDs may also order diagnostic tests and imaging procedures such as x-rays, ultrasounds, and anything else a primary care physician would require to assess health and determine appropriate treatment methods for a patient. Referrals are made to specialists or other healthcare providers for additional testing or treatment when necessary. Licensed NDs are currently working alongside medical doctors (M.D.) and osteopathic doctors (D.O.) in progressive states to provide integrative solutions.
The Scope of Practice and training for Naturopathic Physicians includes:
Clinical Nutrition
Naturopathic physicians understand that diet is the basis for health. Adopting a healthy diet is often the first step towards correcting health problems. Naturopathic physicians may use specific individualized diets, fasting, and nutritional supplements with their patients.
Botanical Medicine
Plants have powerful healing properties. Many pharmaceutical drugs have their origins in plant substances. Naturopathic physicians use plant substances for their healing effects and nutritional value.
Homeopathic Medicine
This gentle yet effective system of medicine is more than 200 years old and is based on the principle that "Like cures Like." Homeopathic medicines are very small doses of natural substances that can stimulate the body's self-healing response without side effects. Physical Medicine
Naturopathic medicine includes methods of therapeutic manipulation for muscles and bones. Naturopathic physicians also employ therapeutic exercise, massage, hydrotherapy, gentle electrical therapies, ultrasound, and applications of heat and cold.
Oriental Medicine
Naturopathic physicians are trained in the fundamentals of oriental medicine and diagnosis. They may use acupressure, and Chinese herbal medicine to promote healing. With additional training and licensure they may also perform acupuncture.
Lifestyle Counseling and Stress Management
Mental attitudes and emotional states can be important elements in healing and disease. Naturopathic physicians are trained in counseling, nutritional balancing, stress management, hypnotherapy, and biofeedback. They also attend to environmental and lifestyle factors that affect their patients' health.
Minor Office Procedures
Naturopathic physicians perform in-office minor surgery including repair of superficial wounds and removal of foreign bodies, warts and cysts with local anesthesia.
Pharmaceutical or Conventional Medications
Although natural treatments tend to be a first choice for the vast majority of practicing Naturopathic physicians they are also extensive trained in pharmacology. ND’s are able to safely prescribe and integrate natural treatments with prescription medications
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Education
Naturopathic physicians attend four-year, graduate level programs at institutions recognized by the US Department of Education. There are currently six such schools in the United States. Naturopathic medical schools provide the same basic and clinical sciences coursework as conventional medical schools. In fact, ND programs often provide more pharmacology and physiology than conventional medical schools. The same premedical coursework required by conventional medical students is required for entry into a naturopathic medical school. Students must also complete two full years of supervised clinical internship. In addition to traditional clinical training, ND programs provide extensive education unique to their treatment approach, emphasizing disease prevention and wellness. ND students must sit for and pass two board exams known as the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Exam (NPLEX.) The NPLEX exam is divided into 2 parts. NPLEX Part I is the equivalent to USMLE step 1 and NPLEX Part II is comparable to USMLE Steps 2 and 3 with a slanted focus towards naturopathic therapeutics. Further, in most licensed states ND’s must complete yearly continuing medical education (CME) courses to maintain license in active status.
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Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medicial Colleges
The Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medicial Colleges (AANMC) was established in February 2001, to propel and foster the naturopathic medical profession by actively supporting the academic efforts of accredited and recognized schools of naturopathic medicine. The following are a list of Member Schools.
Bastyr University
14500 Juanita Dr. NE, Kenmore, Washington 98028-4966
Phone: (425) 823-1300, Fax: (425) 823-6222
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine
Boucher Centre, 300-435 Columbia Street, New Westminster, British Columbia, V3L 5N8
Phone: 604-777-9981, Fax: 604-777-9982
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
1255 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M2K 1E2
Phone: (416) 498-1255, Toll Free: 1-866-241-2266
National College of Natural Medicine
049 SW Porter St., Portland, OR 97201
Phone: (503) 552-1555
National University of Health Sciences
200 East Roosevelt Road. Lombard, IL 60148
Phone: (630) 629-2000, Fax: (630) 889-6499
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine
2140 E. Broadway Rd., Tempe, Arizona 85282
Phone: (480) 858-9100, Fax (480) 858.9116
University of Bridgeport - College of Naturopathic Medicine
Health Science Center, 60 Lafayette Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut 06604
Phone: (800) EXCEL UB ext. 4108
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The Council on Naturopathic Medical Educatiuon
The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education's (CNME) mission is quality assurance; serving the public by accrediting naturopathic medical education programs that vountarily seek recognition that they meet or exceed CNME's standards. Students and graduates of programs accredited or preaccredited (candidacy) by CNME are eligible to apply for the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE), and are generally eligible for state and provincial licensure in the U.S. and Canada.
P.O. Box 178, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Phone: 413-528-8877
Fax: 413-528-8880
President: Marcia Prenguber, ND
Executive Director: Daniel Seitz, JD, MAT
Board of the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination
The Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) is the examination graduates of one of the approved naturopathic medical colleges must pass to be eligible for licensure in any of the 16 states or 5 provinces that license/register naturopathic physicians. The North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners is responsible for qualifying applicants to take the NPLEX, administering the NPLEX to examinees, and preparing and sending exam results and transcripts to licensing/regulatory authorities.
P.O. Box 69657, Portland, OR 97201
Phone: (503) 250-9141
Phone: (416) 498-4255×227
President: Paul Sanders, PhD, ND
Executive Director: Christa Louise, MS, PhD
North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners
The purpose of the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) is to determine the qualifications of applicants to take the NPLEX, to administer the NPLEX to examinees, and to prepare and send exam results and transcripts to licensing/regulatory authorities. The institutions that regulate naturopathic medicine grant authority to NABNE to be the examining body for the naturopathic profession through their agreement to use the results of the NPLEX Examinations in their determination of the candidate’s eligibility for licensure (United States) or registration (Canada).
9220 SW Barbur Boulevard, #119, Portland, OR 97219-5434
Phone: (503) 778-7990
President: James Spring, DC, ND
Executive Director: Christa Louise, MS, PhD
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