The Definition of Naturopathy

Naturopathy is an alternative health practice based on healing the whole person through individualized treatment, by understanding the unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environment and social factors that contribute to illness.

Treatment

• Treatment focuses on identifying the causes of disease, then removing the underlying causes of illness, rather than suppressing symptoms.

Considerations

• As of 2009, only 15 states and the District of Columbia regulated naturopathic doctors and accepted the practice of naturopathy: Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont and Washington.

  The remaining states neither accept the practice of naturopathy nor license naturopathic doctors. In some states, practicing naturopathy is a crime punishable by imprisonment.

Function

• Naturopathy is a part of alternative medicine. Alternative therapies such as herbal medicine, aromatherapy, homeopathy, holistic nutrition, hydrotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine are part of the practices used.

Warning

• Check out the ethical conduct guidelines published by United States regulatory bodies at: http://www.boardofnaturopathicmedicine.on.ca/pdf/guide_ethical_conduct.pdf, before seeing a practitioner in your area.

Expert Insight

• Before making an appointment ask question; What current organizations is the doctor a member of? Do they have a license to practice naturopathy? Do they sell products? And how long have they been practicing? This information will give you a good foundation in choosing a natural health practitioner.