Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is gaining in popularity among people of all ages. Many find that naturopathic medicine can form a successful strategy to maintaining health. Others find that long-standing health problems can be resolved with naturopathic medicine.

Naturopathic medicine has been practiced for thousands of years in many cultures around the world. Traditional Chinese Medicine is a classic example. Others include Ayurveda, Native American Shamanism and the Eclectic American physicians of the 1800s. The term "naturopathic medicine" grew out of the Eclectic movement which resulted in the foundation of many accredited schools of naturopathic medicine. The naturopathic physicians of today are trained and skilled in their field. They typically have three to four years of postgraduate medical instruction.

The naturopathic specialist approaches diagnosis and treatment of illnesses in a different way than standard, traditional doctors. The Naturopath uses a whole-body strategy to strengthen and tone all the systems of the body. Each patient's treatment is individualized. The Naturopath's treatment takes into account a person's physical conditions, genetics, and emotional and lifestyle factors.

Take, for example, how naturopathic medicine might treat an ongoing skin condition, like eczema. The Naturopath would treat the condition as being a symptom of an underlying cause. He or she might use a blood cleansing herb like Burdock root or an immune system boosting herb, such as Echinacea, to address what caused the eczema in the first place.

Traditional medicine might treat the eczema, the condition, as the cause. A doctor would likely prescribe ointments or medications to alleviate the symptoms. The symptoms may disappear temporarily, but return later. The Naturopath addresses the underlying cause of a problem and over time eliminates the cause and the condition.

Naturopathic medicine uses diet and nutrition as a means of healing. Naturopathic physicians are trained in nutrition and diet so they know when a vitamin or mineral deficiency contributes to a condition of illness or poor health. A Naturopath can help you incorporate diet into good, healthy living.

The naturopathic physician also specializes in other areas, like physical therapy, fasting, acupuncture, aromatherapy and other natural and non-invasive therapies. While naturopathic medicine focuses on natural and non-invasive therapies, the naturopathic physician is trained in modern medical diagnostic testing and, if you need surgery, can refer you to a surgeon. In some circumstances, a Naturopath might even prescribe conventional antibiotics.

Check your phone book to find a naturopathic physician near you or consult the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

Naturopathic medicine is popular for one simple reason: it works! Difficult and persistent conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and menopause can be greatly improved or even eliminated by naturopathic medicine and methodologies. Do yourself a favor and give it a try.

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