What is Naturopathy?

Even after being involved in natural health for many years, the first question I most frequently get is “What is Naturopathy?”  The funniest question to date was “ A Metropath? What is that specialty – for people who are afraid of busses?”

According to the Council on Naturopathic Registration and Accreditation in Washington D.C.:  “Naturopathic doctors are trained specialists in a separate and distinct healing art which uses non-invasive natural medicine.  They are not orthodox medical doctors (physicians or MD’s).  Naturopathic doctors (ND’s) are conventionally trained in anatomy, physiology, counseling, dietary evaluations, nutrition, herbology, acupressure, muscle relaxation, iridology, exercise therapy, hydrotherapy, oxygen therapy, and thermal therapy.  Some practioners are trained in additional specialties also.”

Naturopathic Philosophy:

  • First do no harm.
  • Practice the healing power of nature.  The human body is created with the capacity to heal itself and to maintain homeostasis.
  • Identify the cause.  The correction of the cause is the most plausible way of eliminating
    the symptoms and restoring health.
  • Involve the whole person. Illness can be physical, spiritual or emotional. Therapies are chosen by determining what type of problem is being experienced.
  • Teach rather than treat. Man is the steward of his body and the doctor practitioner is the teacher or advisor to the individual on how to maintain health.
  • Identify the source. Other than trauma type of injuries, the body experiences “dis-ease”
    as a consequence of a number of health debilitating events.  In order to reverse the disease process, the body needs to have its tissues revitalized.
  • Prevent disease. Teach simple preventative tools and principles designed to produce health and avoid the destructive consequences, which occur as the result of violating those principles.

The original meaning of word “Doctor” was teacher.  Today you will find Naturopaths as “Certified Traditional Naturopath”, “Naturopathic Practitioners, Naturopathic Doctors  (not Medical Doctors) and Naturopathic Physicians (Medical Doctors with specialties in Naturopathics).

In the next months we will share research on issues like Estrogen Dominance, Adrenal Fatigue, Hormones, Real Food, and Soy Fact & Fiction.  I look forward to your questions. 

— Joan    © 2009  Joan Goodman

Joan Goodman, CTN, MH
1950 Eldridge Parkway, Suite #5101
Houston, TX  77077

281-493-9473 

All articles are copyrighted by Joan Goodman. They may only be reprinted with her express permission.

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