Naturopathy, or natural medicine, combines modern medical science with time-proven healing traditions to provide a holistic model of primary care medicine. Licensed naturopathic physicians earn their doctorate by attending a four-year, post-baccalaureate level naturopathic medical school. In addition to the standard medical curriculum, naturopaths complete intensive training in homeopathy, medicinal herbs, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, clinical nutrition, functional diagnosis, and alternative laboratory testing.
Naturopathic physicians emphasize a drug-free approach to medical care when possible. Office visits are longer than the traditional medical visit in order to gain a full understanding of the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms. To address the symptoms, and more importantly why they are occurring, a typical treatment may include changes to lifestyle and nutrition. Additional body work and prescriptions for a homeopathic remedy and nutritional/herbal supplementation may be given. Each person has unique needs; therefore, this model of medicine does not take a “one size fits all” approach.
North American Naturopathic School Websites
National College of Natural Medicine Portland, Oregon
Bastyr University Kenmore, Washington
Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine Tempe, Arizona
University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, Connecticut
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Toronto, Ontario
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine Westminster, British Columbia
National University of Health Sciences Lombard, Illinois (current candidate for licensure)
Naturopathic Associations
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
“Founded in 1985, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) is the national professional society representing licensed or licensable naturopathic physicians who are graduates of four-year, residential graduates programs. Each of the six schools in North America is either accredited, or is a candidate for accreditation by an agency of the United States Department of Education.
Located in Washington, DC, the AANP has 38 official State Affiliates across the country. Our membership consists of more than 2000 student, physicians, supporting and corporate members who collectively strive to expand access to naturopathic medicine nationwide.”
North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners
“NABNE is responsible for qualifying applicants to take the NPLEX (Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations), administering the NPLEX to examinees, and preparing and sending exam results and transcripts to licensing/regulatory authorities.”
