NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS
Naturopathic physicians (N.D.’s) are general practitioners trained as specialists in natural medicine and preventive health care. Their clinical expertise bridges both conventional and natural medicine knowledge. Their clinical education integrates modern medical knowledge with centuries-old natural medicine therapies and treatments. In their work, naturopathic physicians make practical use of the latest biochemical research along with natural therapies and treatments. Naturopathic physicians treat underlying causes of disease and employ individualized treatments to support the body's natural healing ability. They emphasize prevention and the importance of personal responsibility in health and healing. 

Naturopathic physicians diagnose and treat both acute & chronic disease utilizing conventional and complementary methods. They perform physical examinations, laboratory tests, gynecological exams, radiologic examinations and other diagnostic tests. They also employ specialized diagnostic assessments such as metabolic function test, nutritional status assessment, toxic load assessment or autonomic reflex allergy test. Treatment methods employed by naturopathic physicians include therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, lifestyle counseling and psychological and family counseling. Naturopathic physicians also refer to appropriate medical specialists when indicated and in some states prescribe drugs and administer vaccinations. 

Naturopathic physicians adhere to rigorous educational and professional standards set by recognized regulatory bodies. To become licensed, a naturopathic physician attends a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school and takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a naturopathic physician. In some states recognized as primary care providers for insurance companies and serve as general practitioners for families. The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners set naturopathic education and examination standards. The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) sets professional standards to assure public health and safety. 


NATUROPATHIC EDUCATION - Back to Top
To become licensed as primary care physicians, naturopathic doctors must attend a four-year graduate level training at a recognized naturopathic medical institution with admission requirements similar to those of conventional medical schools. Naturopathic physicians are educated in all basic medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, immunology, physical and clinical diagnosis, neurology, dermatology, gynecology, pediatrics and pharmacology.

In addition to their medical science education, naturopathic physicians study holistic therapies that emphasize disease prevention and health promotion. Naturopathic physicians receive in-depth training in botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, and therapeutic nutrition. They also receive training in counseling, hydrotherapy, acupuncture and other natural therapies. 

To become licensed as a naturopathic physician by a state or jurisdiction, naturopathic physicians must pass rigorous professional board exams administered by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE). 

There are currently four naturopathic medical schools in the United States. They are accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). Some schools offer certified residency programs. 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS - Back to Top
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) is the national professional association. The AANP works to develop and preserve professional standards and to integrate naturopathic medicine in to the national health care system. It is also responsible for ensuring public health and safety by developing national education and examination standardized for naturopathic medical colleges. 

State professional associations represent and unite naturopathic physicians who are licensed or eligible for licensing as primary care providers in a given sate. Representatives of state associations sit on the governing body of the AANP. 

Naturopathic educational standards are set by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), an accrediting body for naturopathic medical colleges in the United States

The North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE) sets standards for national board licensing examinations. 


NATUROPATHIC HISTORY - Back to Top
In the United States naturopathic medicine emerged as a distinct health care profession 100 years ago. At the beginning of the 20th century a group of therapists combined natural therapies whose historical roots dated thousands of years back across different healing traditions with up to date medical knowledge and standards of care.
By the 1920’s, professional naturopathic medical societies had 10,000 members attracting practitioners from various medical disciplines. At the height of its popularity, there were more than 20 naturopathic medical schools in the United States and naturopathic physicians were licensed in most states. 
By the mid century, the emergence of technological medicine, pharmaceutical drugs and the belief that all disease can be cured by drugs lead to a temporary decline in naturopathic medicine. In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in naturopathic medicine, as the public began to seek safe and effective alternatives to standard medical treatments. Modern naturopathic medicine applies latest scientific methods to gain deeper knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms governing natural healing and therapeutics. The scientific medical community at large has also begun to conduct such studies and in 1992 the United States Congress established the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), a division of the NIH, to facilitate such scientific evaluation of alternative therapies. By the turn of the new millennium courses in alternative medicine have been integrated into the medical curricula of some 75 U.S. medical schools. 

The resurgence of interest in naturopathic medicine is also taking place in many countries outside the United States. In Europe, naturopathic medicine has always been very popular and it continues to enjoy high level of acceptance and recognition. In Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South America naturopathic medicine also enjoys high popularity. The growing popularity of naturopathic medicine throughout the world has been recognized by the World Health Organization’s 1983 report recommending that naturopathic medicine be integrated into conventional health care systems.