The question “is a naturopathic doctor a real doctor?” is often asked by patients who do not understand naturopathic medicine and those in search of alternative methods of treatments. Having a good understanding of the role of doctors in our health, and who a naturopathic doctor is will help answer this question. The purpose of this article is give individuals a clear understanding of the scope of naturopathic medicine when seeking the service of a Naturopathic Doctor.
A doctor is a person who helps to restore or maintain human health through the practice of medicine. Doctors are trained in specific medical practices to diagnose and treat human diseases, injuries, pains, and disorders. Doctors will approach your health issues depending on their medical focus and training. In conventional medicine they can be separated by specialty like oncologist, neurosurgeons, cardiologist, dentist, plastic surgeons and primary care. However some doctors are trained to diagnose and treat disease but approach things slightly different than the conventional. Osteopathic doctors and chiropractic doctors focus on helping the body heal through proper alignment of the bones. Naturopathic doctors approach medicine and health differently too.
Naturopathic medicine is known for a more holistic approach to health but is an independent medical profession based on the same biomedical sciences as conventional "allopathic" medicine. While conventional medicine doctors diagnose and treat human disease, naturopathic doctors seek to prevent disease, optimize human health, and treat human disease. One of the core tenants or principals is The Healing Power of Nature. This principle states that the human body is an organism with an intrinsic ability to heal itself. Therefore, the goal of naturopathic medicine is to provide support to the body so it can restore the body to a better state of balance.
Naturopathic Doctors blend the wisdom of nature with the precision of modern science in their evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment. A licensed naturopath (Naturopathic Doctor) attends a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school after completing at least four years of pre-medical undergraduate studies. Upon entering medical school, a naturopathic doctor is educated in all basic sciences as a medical doctor. However, he or she also studies holistic and nontoxic therapeutic approaches with particular emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing well-being. In addition to a standard medical program, a naturopathic doctor must perform training in clinical nutrition, oriental medicine, homeopathy, botanical medicine, acupuncture, medical psychology, and counseling. A licensed naturopathic doctor takes Naturopathic Medical Board Exams before being licensed. Once licensed naturopathic physicians are regulated by the Naturopathic Medical Board in their given state. This regulatory body monitors for standards of practice, complaints, and issues disciplinary action when needed. A naturopathic doctor that does not hold a license to practice medicine likely have limited education and training in comparison. For instance some naturopaths or naturopathic doctors get their education from an online course. They typically don't get educated on biomedical sciences or have clinical training.
A Naturopathic Doctor Phoenix are board certified, well-trained, deliver health care treatments that treat the whole person and restore health using principals of naturopathic medicine. There are 6 principals that guide naturaopthic doctors in their care for patients. These 6 principles are:
After going through the above content, it should be clear that naturopathic doctors are real doctors with unique and effective ways to help people. Sme states don't have naturopathic doctor licensing but but here in phoenix make sure you are getting help from a true naturopathic doctor.