Naturopathic Medicine
“The best doctor gives the least medicines.” – Benjamin Franklin
Overview
Naturopathic medicine is a complex and thorough system grounded in the principles of conventional medicine, but expanded to include a more natural, holistic approach that incorporates nutritional science, herbal medicine, and a host of other alternative approaches that focus on the entire individual – body, mind and spirit.
The primary difference between conventional medicine and naturopathy relates to their respective philosophies. Vitalism, the underlying philosophy of naturopathy, believes that the body is more than the sum of its parts; that there is something beyond the physical including unseen forces such as the emotional and spiritual. Whereas, mechanism, the philosophy of conventional medicine, believes that the body is similar to a machine with parts that must be repaired as they break down. In this regard it focuses on fixing symptoms without concern for why they arise, generally via pharmaceuticals and surgery.
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Mechanism |
Vitalism |
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Principles of Naturopathy
- Two-thirds of the world still uses plants as their primary medicine. Naturopathy asks -Why would we use foreign chemicals to treat our natural ecosystems?
- 109,000 people die annually from properly prescribed medication. Naturopathy seeks to avoid the side effects of chemical intervention.
- “There are no incurable diseases, only incurable patients.” – John Christopher, ND
- The ways in which the body eliminates toxins – coughing, vomiting, diarrhea – are all good things that we shouldn’t try to inhibit.
- Naturopaths tend to incorporate other healing systems into their treatment protocols and training including acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and homeopathy.
Find a Naturopath
Unfortunately Naturopaths don’t practice in every state in the US. But, you can locate the closest naturopath through the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) . If you have to travel it’s worth the trip!
Naturopathy Resources
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) – www.naturopathic.org – the national association representing naturopathic physicians in the US.
About Naturopathic Medicine – www.aanmc.org/naturopathic-medicine.php – general information on naturopathy including details on training from the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges.
Autoimmune Disease and Naturopathic Treatment –naturalnutmeg.com/?p=1102 – an article from CT Naturopath, Dr. Ann Aresco.
Connecticut Naturopathic Physician’s Association –/www.cnpaonline.org – find CT naturopaths and area events.
National Institute of Health – Naturopathy –nccam.nih.gov/health/naturopathy – research information on naturopathic medicine and complementary medicine.
Natural Medicine Journal – www.naturalmedicinejournal.com – a free resource that includes the latest findings in natural medicine.
Nature Cure – www.soilandhealth.org/02/0201hyglibcat/020123lindlahr/020123toc.html -Philosophy & Practice Based on the Unity of Disease & Cure by Henry Lindlahr, M.D.- a book from 1992 on natural healing provided free online.
Naturopathic Medicine – AM Foundation – www.amfoundation.org/naturopathinfo.htm – resources and information from the Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc.
Naturopathic Medicine – Healthy.net – www.healthy.net/Alternative_Therapy/Naturopathic_Medicine/19 – articles on natural medicine in relation to treating certain ailments. *this site sells products so some information could be biased.
Naturopathy – EmaxHealth.com – www.emaxhealth.com/61 – articles and updates on naturopathic medicine.
References:
James Sensenig, ND. Lecture at The Graduate Institute (June 24 – 25, 2011) Naturopractic Medicine -Philosophy, Principles and Practice.
[Last Updated: 11/9/12]