Naturopathy (also known as naturopathic medicine or natural medicine) is an eclectic alternative medical system that focuses on natural remedies and the body's vital ability to heal and maintain itself. Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic approach and minimal use of surgery and drugs. Naturopathy comprises many different treatment modalities of varying degrees of acceptance by the medical community; diet and lifestyle advice may be substantially similar to that offered by non-naturopaths, and acupuncture may help reduce pain in some cases, but homeopathy is often characterized as pseudoscience or quackery.
Naturopathy has its origins in the Nature Cure movement of Europe. The term was coined in 1895 by John Scheel and popularized by Benedict Lust, the "father of U.S. naturopathy".
Naturopathy is practiced in many countries, especially the United States and Canada, and is subject to different standards of regulation and levels of acceptance. The level of medical education among naturopaths also varies, though no naturopathic training program reaches the same level of training as an MD or DO.In the United States and Canada, the designation of Naturopathic Doctor (ND) may be awarded after completion of a four year program of study at an accredited Naturopathic medical school that includes the study of basic medical sciences as well as natural remedies and medical care.The scope of practice varies widely between jurisdictions, and naturopaths in unregulated jurisdictions may use the Naturopathic Doctor designation or other titles regardless of level of education.
Principles
Naturopathic ideology focuses on naturally-occurring and minimally-invasive methods, trusting to the "healing power of nature."Such treatments as "synthetic" drugs, radiation, and major surgery are avoided, and rejection of biomedicine and modern science in favor of an intuitive and vitalistic conception of the body and nature is common.Prevention through stress reduction and a healthy diet and lifestyle is emphasized. The philosophy of naturopathic practice is self-described by six core values.Multiple versions exist in the form of the naturopathic doctor's oath, various mission statements published by schools or professional associations, and ethical conduct guidelines published by regulatory bodies:
First, do no harm; provide the most effective health care available with the least risk to patients at all times (Primum Non Nocere).
Recognize, respect and promote the self-healing power of nature inherent in each individual human being. (Vis medicatrix naturae, a form of vitalism).
Identify and remove the causes of illness, rather than eliminate or suppress symptoms (Tolle Causum).
Educate, inspire rational hope and encourage self-responsibility for health (Doctor as Teacher).
Treat each person by considering all individual health factors and influences. (Treat the Whole Person).
Emphasize the condition of health to promote well-being and to prevent diseases for the individual, each community and our world. (Health Promotion, the Best Prevention)
Practice
The focus of Naturopathy is on its philosophy of natural self-healing rather than specific methods, and practitioners use a wide variety of treatment modalities.Many methods rely on immaterial "vital energy fields," and naturopathy as a field tends towards isolation from general scientific discourse. The effectiveness of naturopathy as a whole system has not been systematically evaluated, and efficacy of individual methods used varies.
A consultation typically begins with a lengthy patient interview focusing on lifestyle, medical history, emotional tone, and physical features, as well as physical examination.Naturopaths do not necessarily recommend vaccines and antibiotics, and may provide inappropriate alternative remedies even in cases where evidence-based medicine has been shown effective. All forms of naturopathic education include concepts incompatible with basic science, and do not necessarily prepare a practitioner to make appropriate diagnosis or referrals.
Methods
The particular modalities utilized by an individual naturopath varies with training and scope of practice. The demonstrated efficacy and scientific rationale also varies. These include:
Acupuncture
Applied kinesiology
Botanical medicine
Chelation therapy for atherosclerosis
colonic enemas
Color therapy
Cranial osteopathy
Hair analysis
Homeopathy
Iridology
Live blood analysis
Nature cure - a range of therapies based upon exposure to natural elements such as sunshine, fresh air, heat, or cold
Nutrition (examples include vegetarian and wholefood diet, fasting, and abstention from alcohol and sugar)
Ozone therapy
Physical medicine (includes naturopathic, osseous, and soft tissue manipulative therapy, sports medicine, exercise and hydrotherapy)
Psychological counseling (examples include meditation, relaxation and other methods of stress management
Public health measures and hygiene
Reflexology
Rolfing
Traditional Chinese medicine
Practitioners
Naturopathic care is available from three broad categories: practitioners with a four year degree or similar formal training; practitioners who are self-taught or have been apprenticed to another naturopath; and practitioners who operate under another professional license while also offering some naturopathic methods. In unregulated jurisdictions, the designation Doctor of Naturopathy and similar terms are not protected and may be used by any practitioner regardless of qualifications.
Naturopathic doctors
Main article: Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic doctor (ND) or a similar term is a protected designation with some form of licensing and training requirements in at least 15 US states, the District of Columbia, and five Canadian provinces. In these jurisdictions, naturopathic doctors must pass board exams set by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) after completing academic and clinical training at a college certified by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME).Many naturopaths present themselves as primary care providers.ND training includes the use of basic medical diagnostic tests and procedures such as medical imaging, minor surgery, and blood tests. The CNME also provides for the inclusion of optional modalities including minor surgery, natural childbirth and intravenous therapy, though they are not generally licensed to perform these functions; these modalities require additional training and may not be within the scope of practice in all jurisdictions. This training differs from that undertaken by MDs in that it includes scientifically disproven modalities, such as homeopathy, often called pseduoscience and quackery, and concepts irreconcilable with modern science and medicine, such as vitalism.NDs do not engage in residency training.In 2005, the Massachusetts Medical Society opposed licensure in the commonwealth on these grounds.
The core set of interventions defined by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and taught at all six accredited schools in North America includes:acupuncture and Traditional Chinese medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathy, nature cure (a range of therapies based upon exposure to natural elements), nutrition, physical medicine, and psychological counseling.
Traditional naturopaths
Traditional naturopaths are guided by the same naturopathic philosophies and principles as board-licensed naturopathic doctors and often prescribe similar treatments. Traditional naturopaths however, are not primary care providers, whereas graduates of CNME accredited naturopathic medicine schools are classified as both alternative or complementary practitioners as well as primary care providers. Traditional naturopaths may voluntarily join a professional organization, but these organizations do not accredit educational programs in any meaningful way or license practitioners, per se.[citation needed] The training programs for traditional naturopaths can vary greatly. Compared to naturopathic medical schools, traditional naturopaths' training programs are less rigorous and do not provide the same basic and clinical science education.[citation needed] The professional organizations formed by traditional naturopaths are not recognized by the government of the USA or any US State or Territory.
Other health care professionals
According to a 1998 taskforce report, some physicians are choosing to add naturopathic modalities to their practice, and states such as Texas have begun to establish practice guidelines for MDs who integrate alternative and complementary medicine into their practice.Continuing education in naturopathic modalities for health care professionals varies greatly but includes offerings for many professions, including physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, dentists, researchers, veterinarians, physician assistants, and nurses. These professionals usually retain their original designation but may use terms such as 'holistic', 'natural', or 'integrative' to describe their practice.
Regulation
The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.
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Australia
There is no state licensure in Australia, rather the industry is self-regulated. There is no protection of title, meaning that technically anyone can practise as a naturopath. The only way to obtain insurance for professional indemnity or public liability is by joining a professional association, which can only be achieved having completed an accredited course and gaining professional certification. Currently the only registered modalities of natural medicine in Australia are those relating to Chinese medicine, and only in the state of Victoria.
In 1977 a committee reviewed all colleges of naturopathy in Australia and found that, although the syllabuses of many colleges were reasonable in their coverage of basic biomedical sciences on paper, the actual instruction bore little relationship to the documented course. In no case was any practical work of any consequence available. The lectures which were attended by the Committee varied from the dictation of textbook material to a slow, but reasonably methodical, exposition of the terminology of medical sciences, at a level of dictionary definitions, without the benefit of depth or the understanding of mechanisms or the broader significance of the concepts. The Committee did not see any significant teaching of the various therapeutic approaches favoured by naturopaths. Persons reported to be particularly interested in homoeopathy, Bach's floral remedies or mineral salts were interviewed, but no systematic courses in the choice and use of these therapies were seen in the various colleges. The Committee was left with the impression that the choice of therapeutic regime was based on the general whim of the naturopath and since the suggested applications in the various textbooks and dispensations overlap to an enormous extent no specific indications are or can be taught.
India
In India there is a 5 1/2 year degree course offering a Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (BNYS) degree. There are a total of 11 colleges in India, of which 4 colleges are in the state of Tamilnadu.
Naturopathy and Yoga, as an Indian system of medicine, falls under the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
"Central Council for Research in Naturopathy & Yoga": The Government of India after having recognized the need for systematic Research and Development of Yoga & Naturopathy in the country, established the “Central Council for Research in Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy” in 1969 as an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This organization, first of its kind was established in India by the Central Government to conduct Scientific Research in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Yoga, existed upto 1978. During this period, the development of Naturopathy was looked after by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare directly. Later, in March 1978, this composite Council was dissolved to pave way for the formation of four independent Research Councils, one each for Ayurveda and Siddha, Unani, Homoeopathy and Yoga & Naturopathy.
"National Institute of Naturopathy" - Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India: The National Institute of Naturopathy, Pune came into existence on 22 December 1986. It encourages facilities for standardization and propagation of the existing knowledge and its application through research in Naturopathy throughout India. This Institute has a “Governing Body” headed by Union Minister for Health as its President.
North America
In five Canadian provinces, fifteen US states and the District of Columbia, naturopathic doctors who are trained at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine in North America, are entitled to use the designation ND or NMD. Elsewhere, the designations "naturopath", "naturopathic doctor", and "doctor of natural medicine" are generally unprotected.
In North America, each jurisdiction that regulates naturopathy defines a local scope of practice for naturopathic doctors that can vary considerably. Some regions permit minor surgery, access to prescription drugs, spinal manipulations, obstetrics and gynecology and other regions exclude these from the naturopathic scope of practice.
Canada
Canadian provinces which license naturopathic doctors: British Columbia, Manitoba,Ontario, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia. British Columbia has regulated naturopathic medicine since 1936 and is the only Canadian province that allows certified ND's to prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform minor surgeries.
United States
US jurisdictions that currently regulate or license naturopathy include: Alaska, Arizona,California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas,Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Vermont, New Hampshire, Oregon, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Utah, Washington. Additionally,Florida and Virginia license the practice of naturopathy under a grandfather clause.
US jurisdictions that permit access to prescription drugs: Arizona, California,District of Columbia, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Vermont, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
US jurisdictions that permit minor surgery: Arizona, District of Columbia, Idaho,Kansas, Maine, Montana, Oregon, Vermont, Utah, and Washington.
US states which specifically prohibit the practice of naturopathy: South Carolina,and Tennessee.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, as there is no government sponsored regulation of the naturopathy profession, naturopaths are unregulated. The largest registering body, The General Council & Register of Naturopaths, recognises three courses in the UK, two being taught at osteopathic schools: the British College of Osteopathic Medicine; The College of Osteopaths Educational Trust; and one at the University of Westminster School of Integrated Health under the auspices of the BSc Health Science (Naturopathy) course. These organisations are not recognized by the UK regulatory frameworks.
Members of this register will either have completed a three or four year full time course or possibly be a healthcare professional who has completed a two year post-graduate Naturopathic Diploma (ND).
Alternatively, there are the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and The British Naturopathic Association whose members can practice and get indemnity insurance.
