Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct health care profession which offers a unique and comprehensive approach to health improvement and the treatment of illness. It is unique in that naturopathic physicians (NDs) are experts in natural medicine and are trained in primary care general medicine; that the profession is defined by it�s powerful philosophy, rather than a specific modality of practice (indeed, NDs practice many different specific modalities, from acupuncture to intravenous vitamin therapy to Zone-diet); that NDs bridge the conventional and alternative medical worlds, being just as comfortable conversing about current advances in medicine such as genomic testing as they are about hydrotherapy techniques of the 19th century; and that NDs stand alone because they are trained to prescribe and co-manage with pharmaceutical drugs (prescription rights depend on the licensing law or the state in which they practice), but view them as the medicine of last resort.

Naturopathic physicians have their own nationally accredited, four-year naturopathic medical schools, a national naturopathic physician board exam, a national professional association, The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and a peer-reviewed journal. Naturopathic physicians are educated in the standard medical curriculum, as well as clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, minor surgery, and lifestyle counseling. Practitioners are licensed and board-certified through rigorous state and national examinations. Currently, naturopaths are licensed in 16 states and 6 provinces in Canada

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has classified naturopathy as an alternative medical system, defined as those which are built upon complete systems of theory and practice and, which often have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine.

Naturopathic medicine has its roots in America in the 1800�s. The first naturopathic medical societies were formed in the late 1800�s and by the early twentieth century, naturopathic physicians were licensed in a majority of states, and there were more than 20 naturopathic colleges. Naturopathic medicine was dealt a considerable set-back in the mid-twentieth century with the advent of pharmaceutical �heroic� medicine. In the 1950�s National College of Naturopathic Medicine was started by a small group of physicians who traced their lineage to the turn of the century. In the past 30 years, the profession has grown in response to the increasing demand for alternatives to conventional medical practice.



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Dr. Oceana Rames, ND, LMT.	Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic medicine is a distinct health care profession which offers a unique and comprehensive approach to health improvement and the treatment of illness. It is unique in that naturopathic physicians (NDs) are experts in natural medicine and are trained in primary care general medicine; that the profession is defined by it�s powerful philosophy, rather than a specific modality of practice (indeed, NDs practice many different specific modalities, from acupuncture to intravenous vitamin therapy to Zone-diet); that NDs bridge the conventional and alternative medical worlds, being just as comfortable conversing about current advances in medicine such as genomic testing as they are about hydrotherapy techniques of the 19th century; and that NDs stand alone because they are trained to prescribe and co-manage with pharmaceutical drugs (prescription rights depend on the licensing law or the state in which they practice), but view them as the medicine of last resort. Naturopathic physicians have their own nationally accredited, four-year naturopathic medical schools, a national naturopathic physician board exam, a national professional association, The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and a peer-reviewed journal. Naturopathic physicians are educated in the standard medical curriculum, as well as clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, minor surgery, and lifestyle counseling. Practitioners are licensed and board-certified through rigorous state and national examinations. Currently, naturopaths are licensed in 16 states and 6 provinces in Canada The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has classified naturopathy as an alternative medical system, defined as those which are built upon complete systems of theory and practice and, which often have evolved apart from and earlier than the conventional medical approach used in the United States. Examples of alternative medical systems that have developed in Western cultures include homeopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic medicine has its roots in America in the 1800�s. The first naturopathic medical societies were formed in the late 1800�s and by the early twentieth century, naturopathic physicians were licensed in a majority of states, and there were more than 20 naturopathic colleges. Naturopathic medicine was dealt a considerable set-back in the mid-twentieth century with the advent of pharmaceutical �heroic� medicine. In the 1950�s National College of Naturopathic Medicine was started by a small group of physicians who traced their lineage to the turn of the century. In the past 30 years, the profession has grown in response to the increasing demand for alternatives to conventional medical practice.