What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is unique. It combines the wisdom of natural medicines and treatment options with the advancement of conventional approaches to diagnosis and standards of care. In fact, naturopathic doctors are the only primary care providers that are clinically trained in both natural and conventional medicine.

How does one become a Naturopathic Doctor?

Similar to MD’s and DO’s, naturopathic medical doctors (abbreviated NMD or ND) attend a four-year accredited medical school after completing an undergraduate degree. The first two of those four years look very similar to MD and DO training. However, the last two years of education look different.

In addition to conventional approaches of standards of care, including evaluation using labs and imaging as well as pharmaceutical treatments and minor surgery, the curriculum includes a variety of naturopathic therapies. These therapies include, but are not limited to, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, physical medicine, lifestyle interventions, counseling, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, and IV (intravenous) therapy. In order to be licensed, NMD’s have to sit for exams at both the two and four-year time points.

Importantly, naturopathic philosophy is taught throughout the entire four years. This philosophy involves the six guiding principles of naturopathic medicine and focuses on determining the underlying cause of illness and providing preventative care. Once the cause(s) of illness is determined, NMD’s use the therapeutic order which applies the treatment approach with the highest benefit and least amount of damage (side effects). This is also known as the least invasive therapy.

Why choose a Naturopathic Doctor?

Naturopathic medicine is highly personalized. Some common reasons patients seek out naturopathic doctors are because they want other options from or to reduce prescription medications, the medical treatment they have received so far has not helped them significantly improve, and/or they want preventative, holistic care and medical guidance.

In today’s medical model, patients are typically sent to specialists but frequently lack a medical provider that can spend the time and attention needed to put all the (seemingly random) pieces together or find missing pieces. While NMD’s may choose to specialize, we all receive a foundational primary care education that trains us to see through a naturopathic lens, one that views the whole picture of each person’s individual life experiences and health journey.

As a naturopathic doctor, I can work alongside other professionals in your healthcare team while providing you with the time and guidance needed to help you reach your health goals.

For more information on naturopathic medicine visit the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians at naturopathic.org or the California Naturopathic Doctors Association at calnd.org/naturopathicmedicine.