What is a “Naturopath”?

The first school of Naturopathy was founded in New York City in 1902.  By the 1930’s there were twenty naturopathic colleges and over 10,000 practitioners in America.   As soon as allopathic medical schools began receiving the backing of the pharmaceutical industry with large endowments and political clout, allopathics became the chosen more traditional choice of medical education.  The lack of funding caused a slow decline in the schooling of naturopathy.  Only recently has the “disenchantment” of allopathic medicine really begun to prompt people to re-explore the God-given simple remedies found in naturopathy.

Naturopaths perform lifestyle analysis, lab testing, nutritional assessments, metabolic and energetic analysis, as well as many other forms of assessment.  Naturopaths are not orthodox medical doctors (M.D.s).  We are trained in  anatomy, physiology, counseling, nutrition, acupressure, herbology, iridology, hydrotherapy, thermal therapy and many more such healing practices. 

The Naturopathic Philosophy and principles are:

1. Do No Harm.  Primum non nocere is taken from the Hippocratic Oath.  Traditional naturopathy embraces only therapies or procedures that are designed to enhance healing and produce wellness. 
2. Recognize the Healing Power of Nature.  Vis medicatrix naturae.  The human body is created with the capacity to heal itself and to maintain homeostasis.  Naturopathy works in harmony with nature in the restoration and support for innate healing systems of the body.
3. Identify the Cause.   For instance,  in allopathic medicine the doctor will seek to treat joint pain by reducing the joint pain.  In naturopathy we seek to find the cause of the pain and remove the cause.  This cause could be a calcium deposit, a mineral deficiency, acidic condition, or injury that need healing and support.
4. Involve the Total Person.  Naturopathy is aware that the person is a sum of a physical, spiritual and emotional existence.  The entire person must be supported during the healing process, or the body will not regain its correct and natural balance.
5. Teach Rather than Treat.  Naturopaths consider themselves teachers. 
   Man is the steward of this body and the doctor is the teacher/advisor. 
6. Identify the Source.  Natural medicine understands that germs are normal part of the evolution of life – their purpose being to destroy sick, weakened and devitalized tissue. 
   In order to reverse disease – the body needs to be vital.
7. Prevent the Disease.  Man is innately created to heal under the right conditions. 
   These cleanliness and healthfulness of the body are intensely important. 
   Given the right tools, were can learn to prevent dis-ease in the body. 

Naturopaths advise clients on simple principles to attain and maintain well-being.  Finding the right tools for each person and teaching the principle of natural health are the keys to good naturopathy. No two individuals will ever be the same – we are each created differently!  Many see changes within the first few days, some within the first weeks and months.  You will be making changes in your lifestyle that will continue forever.  These changes will be simple and you will be amazed at the benefits!  

Additional resources and information can be found at www.cnra.org 

Remember – some states license naturopaths, others have associations, but always check your healthcare practitioners credentials and ask questions.  It is your body and you live there!

— Joan    © 2007  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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