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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
How does Naturopathic Medicine differ in Philosophy from Conventional Medicine?
What training does a naturopathic doctor go through? Is the training the same as an MD?
What schools provide naturopathic training?
Are naturopaths licensed to practice medicine?
What is homeopathy?
Do naturopaths ever use the techniques or medicines associated with conventional medicine?
Do naturopaths ever work with MDs?
Do NDs work in hospitals?
Is naturopathy the same as "alternative medicine"?
Does health insurance pay for naturopathic treatment?
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic
Medicine is a unique type of health care that emphasizes the use of
prevention and natural therapeutics. It is a branch of medicine that
believes that the body has an innate ability to heal and focuses on the
underlying cause of disease. Naturopathic medicine utilizes many
different modalities, including botanical medicine, vitamins, minerals,
dietary supplements, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic physical
medicine and nutritional counseling. Naturopathic doctors have a
pharmaceutical formulary and you can check your state organization to
get more details.
The New Hampshire
state law defines naturopathic medicine as “a system of primary health
care practiced by doctors of naturopathic medicine for the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of human health conditions, injuries, and
diseases that uses education, natural medicines and therapies to
support and stimulate the individual’s intrinsic self-healing
processes.”
What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) offer the widest array
of complementary and alternative medical services available in
healthcare. NDs are trained to serve as primary care general
practitioners and are experts in the prevention, diagnosis, management,
and treatment of both acute and chronic health conditions. In order to
become a licensed ND it is required that an applicant be a graduate of
an accredited Naturopathic medical school and pass all state and
national required board examinations (NPLEX).
How does Naturopathic medicine differ in philosophy from conventional medicine?
Similar
to conventional medicine, Naturopathic medicine utilizes comparable
diagnostic methods including physical exams and labs. Where we differ
is mainly in our treatment methods and our philosophies. In the state
of New Hampshire Naturopaths have a formulary in which they can
prescribe a wide variety of pharmaceuticals, however; our first choice
is naturopathic modalities. During an office visit, naturopathic
practitioners spend a significant amount of time gathering a patient’s
history in order to get a better understanding of the root cause of the
condition. Rather than treating symptomatically, NDs focus their
treatment on addressing the cause and are guided by the following six
principles:
- First Do No Harm
- The Healing Power of Nature
- Find the Cause
- Treat the Whole Person
- Preventive Medicine
- Doctor as Teacher
Although our practice
treatments and philosophy may at times differ from other conventional
doctors, we embrace collaborative and integrative medicine. We believe
in the value of treating our patients with the best possible care, and
this can involve close participation with other specialists.
What training does a naturopathic doctor go through? Is the training the same as an MD?
Naturopathic
doctors are trained at accredited, four-year, post-graduate
naturopathic medical programs. Currently, there are 3 accredited
schools in the U.S. which are; National College of Natural Medicine
(NCNM) in Oregon, Bastyr in Washington, and Southwest College of
Naturopathic Medicine in Arizona. There are also two schools in Canada.
Additionally, Bridgeport University is currently eligible for
accredidation. These schools are accredited by the same board that
accredits medical schools such as Harvard and Boston University.
The ND degree course of
study at the naturopathic college is an intensive four-year doctoral
program that prepares candidates for state board licensing examinations
and the general practice of naturopathic medicine. Upon graduation,
alumni are eligible to sit for board examinations in states and
provinces that license naturopathic physicians. The core, or required,
curriculum provides the foundation and skills necessary for
establishing a naturopathic family practice.
First year studies include courses such as anatomy
and physiology with lab, biochemistry, microbiology and public health,
histology, research and statistics, palpation, and an introduction to
naturopathic theory, philosophy, and therapeutics.
Second year focuses on the study of disease and
diagnosis while beginning course work in botanical medicine,
therapeutic manipulation, clinical nutrition, and homeopathic medicine
sequences. To enter into the clinical training of the third year,
students must pass all basic science and diagnostic courses and board
exams, as well as a clinic entrance examination.
Third year continues focusing on the botanical
medicine, manipulation, clinical nutrition, and homeopathic medicine
sequences, begins the organ systems courses (which emphasize case
management), and gives major emphasis to clinical training. Students
must pass a clinical primary status exam to proceed in the clinic.
Fourth year continues the clinical organ systems
courses. The major focus of the fourth year is practical clinical
training, working side by side with licensed physicians caring for
patients. A clinic proficiency exam ensures clinical competency prior
to graduation
To see a complete outline of the Naturopathic degree you can visit http://www.ncnm.edu/academics/Program_Layouts.php.
Are Naturopathic Doctors licensed?
Naturopathic
doctors are currently licensed in the following states: Alaska,
Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Idaho,Hawaii,
Kansas, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah,Vermont, Washington, and
U.S. territories: Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Naturopathic
Doctors have been licensed as primary care doctors in New Hampshire
since 1995 and have a broad scope of practice in which they can
prescribe a variety of pharmaceutical, nutritional supplements,
botanical medicine and homeopathy, perform physical exams, and order
labs.
What is Homeopathy?
Included
in the Naturopathic program, students are required to take four terms
of homeopathic studies, and are offered four additional terms of
homeopathic electives. Homeopathy is often practiced by many
Naturopathic doctors. Drs. Mikulis and Waters have both completed all
doctoral coursework and electives in homeopathy.
Homeopathy is an effective scientific system of medicine, FDA approved
and assists the natural tendency of the body to heal itself. It
recognizes that illness is an expression of disharmony within the whole
person and that it is the patient who needs treatment, not the disease.
Homeopathy works by stimulating an individual’s body at a cellular
level, to bring it back into balance in a subtle way. Because
homeopathic remedies are highly diluted they do not interfere with
other medications that an individual may be taking.
Do naturopaths ever use the techniques or medicines associated with conventional medicine?
Similar to Medical doctors, Naturopaths have their
own pharmaceutical formulary which varies from state to state. Under
New Hamphire’s law, Naturopaths are permitted to prescribe certain
medication including; antibiotics, insulin, hormones, vaccines, and
neutraceuticals. Additionally, Naturopaths are also trained in clinical
physical diagnosis, lab analysis, and can perform physical
examinations.
Do naturopaths ever work with MDs?
There are many
integrative clinics and hospitals where NDs work along side with MDs.
Often many patients see an MD as well as an ND for adjunct care. In
such cases, many Naturopaths communicate with and discuss patient
treatment plans with the Medical doctor.
Do NDs work in hospitals?
There are a number of NDs in the US who work either
primarily in hospitals, or do shifts part time within hospitals or
community clinics. For example, at the Cancer Treatment Centers of
America Naturopaths work along side with MDs, nurses and other
practitoners providing integrative care for people with cancer.
Is naturopathy the same as "alternative medicine"?
Naturopathic medicine is a type of alternative
medicine, but they are not one in the same. Alternative medicine may
also include Chinese medicine, homeopathy, massage therapy,
chiropractic medicine, etc. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct
practice in which one must attend an accredited naturopathic school and
pass both basic science and clinical board exams. Only then is a person
able to practice as a Naturopathic doctor.
Does health insurance cover naturopathic treatment?
It varies from state to state. Check with your insurance company to see if such treatments are covered by your policy.
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