What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a medical practice that began as such late in the 19th century. Its strong philosophical roots date back to Hippocrates and his view that Nature had an inherent power to heal. Naturopaths today still refer to this ‘vis medicatrix naturae’ when helping their patients access their own vitality. Naturopathy integrates evidence-based medical treatments with time-tested traditional therapies. NDs use various tools (herbs, acupuncture, dietary modifications and more) to stimulate the individual’s ability to heal themselves from the inside out. The focus is on achieving long lasting and complete wellness rather than the palliation of symptoms.
Naturopathy’s first students graduated in 1902 and the profession has been growing ever since. More than ever, Naturopathic doctors are highly sought after as primary care practitioners, either in place of or working alongside allopathic doctors. NDs assess the individual as a whole person; understanding that body, mind and spirit all play a role in disease.
Naturopathic medicine has at its very core the belief that getting to the root cause of illness is essential in helping patients achieve a state of health, vitality and re-balancing that is long lasting. Education and prevention are key.
Who is it for?
Naturopathic medicine is for everyone. Quite literally. NDs are trained in everything from preconception and pediatrics to geriatrics and end-of-life care. They treat both acute concerns and chronic illness.
Some concers NDs commonly treat:
-Sprains and strains
-Arthritis
-Autoimmune disease
-Hormonal imbalance
-Infertility
-Coughs and colds
-Skin conditions
-Gastro-intestinal conditions
-Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue
-Cancer
If your goal is to naturally correct a disease state that already exists and/or to prevent future illness, naturopathic medicine is perfectly suited to you.
Regulation and Medical Training
In Ontario, Naturopathic Medicine is regulated under the Regulated Health Professionals Act, alongside MDs, Chiropractors and Dentists. This has been the case since the profession officially underwent proclamation on July 1st, 2015.
Naturopathic Doctors are highly educated professionals. Registration requires graduation from a four year medical training program at an accredited college following a University undergraduate degree. NDs in Ontario complete over 4100 hours of in-class study alongside 1200 hours of clinical practicum with rigorous supervision. They are trained in all basic sciences, diagnostics, laboratory analysis, therapeutic principles and treatments. To become doctors, graduates must pass provincial clinical board examinations as well as two sets of licensing exams, common to all accredited schools in North America.
Naturopathic Medicine is currently regulated in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
Learn more about Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario: www.oand.org
Learn more about Naturopathic Medicine in Canada: www.cand.ca