How to Find a Naturopath

A naturopath is a doctor who has received traditional medical training as well as education in healing and medicine. Naturopaths have a focus on holistically treating the cause of illness and restoring health and balance. Understanding more about naturopathic doctors will help you in finding the right one.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn the difference between conventional doctors and naturopathic physicians. A naturopath graduates from a four-year college and four-year medical school, just like a traditional doctor. An MD (traditional doctor) spends the second four years in a clinical and classroom environment learning conventional medicine. However, the naturopath will spend some of this time in training with clinical nutrition, botanical medicine (herbs and supplements), homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine and other healing therapies and medicine.

• 2

  Seek out and verify a licensed ND (naturopathic doctor) or NMD (naturopathic medical doctor). Licensed naturopathic physicians have been trained clinically as well as in a classroom and are trained to practice medicine. Some people call themselves "naturopaths" but have not had any formal medical training.

• 3

  Visit sites like American Association of Naturopathic Physicians or the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education (www.cnme.org) where you can use a search tool to find a naturopath in your area. Fourteen states, as well as all the provinces of Canada, issue licenses . Licensed naturopaths can and do practice in all 50 states, but the scope of practice varies due to individual state laws.

• 4

  Ask if the doctor you locate uses the six principles of naturopathic medicine:
  1. First do no harm
  2. Healing occurs by way of nature
  3. Treat the whole person
  4. Treat the cause
  5. Prevent disease
  6. Doctor as teacher

• 5

  Use other resources as well. Many conventional doctors practice complementary medicine or will work with naturopathic physicians. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if he can recommend a naturopath to help you with your holistic goals.