What is Naturopathic Medicine? From my Alma Mater's website, www.scnm.edu:
Naturopathic Medical Doctors (NMDs) are primary care physicians clinically trained in natural therapeutics and whose philosophy is derived in part from a Hippocratic teaching more than 2000 years old: Vis mediatrix naturae---nature is the healer of all diseases. Their practice is based on the same basic bio-medical science foundation that allopathic practice is; however, their philosophies and approaches differ considerably from their conventional counterparts. Naturopathic physicians diagnose disease and treat patients by using natural modalities such as physical manipulation, clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, counseling, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy, among others. They choose treatment based on the individual patient, not based on the generality of symptoms. This approach has proven successful in treating both chronic and acute conditions.

The six principles that guide the therapeutic methods and modalities of naturopathic medicine include:

1. First Do No Harm - primum non nocere
Naturopathic medicine uses therapies that are safe and effective.

2. The Healing Power of Nature - vis medicatrix naturae
The human body possesses the inherent ability to restore health. The physician's role is to facilitate this process with the aid of natural, nontoxic therapies.

3. Discover and Treat the Cause, Not Just the Effect - tolle causam
Physicians seek and treat the underlying cause of a disease. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body's natural attempt to heal. The origin of disease is removed or treated so the patient can recover.

4. Treat the Whole Person - tolle totum
The multiple factors in health and disease are considered while treating the whole person. Physicians provide flexible treatment programs to meet individual health care needs.

5. The Physician is a Teacher - docere
The physician's major role is to educate, empower, and motivate patients to take responsibility for their own health. Creating a healthy cooperative relationship with the patient has a strong therapeutic value.

6. Prevention is the best "cure"
Naturopathic physicians are preventive medicine specialists. Physicians assess patient risk factors and heredity susceptibility and intervene appropriately to reduce risk and prevent illness. Prevention of disease is best accomplished through education and a lifestyle that supports health.

How are Naturopathic Physicians trained?
All modern licensed naturopathic physicians have Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine degrees from federally recognized medical schools. Their education includes:

• the same premedical undergraduate coursework required by other schools of medicine
• a competitive application and admission process
• graduation from a four-year, federally recognized, Naturopathic Medical school
• two full years of supervised clinical internship
• optional residency programs
• Naturopathic medical students study the same basic and clinical sciences as do other medical students, and in addition, a full spectrum of natural medicines and therapies.

How do Naturopathic Physicians diagnose and treat people?
As primary care providers, Naturopathic Physicians use:

• standard medical diagnostic techniques such as extensive health history, physical examination, blood tests, radiology, and other standard laboratory procedures.
• holistic interpretation in order to find the underlying cause of the disease process.
• natural medicines and therapies as the first line of treatment, and rational use of drugs and surgery
• With advanced board certifications, some Naturopathic Physicians also practice as certified specialists.