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Naturopathic Medicine: Old World Meets New

By Adrianna Noton

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Published: 19Mar2012
Word count: 505
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A Naturopath is a licensed medical doctor who practices naturopathic medicine. This is a holistic approach which marries the best of traditional herbal medicine and other traditional treatments with the best of modern Western medical modalities. The patient is treated as a whole person and their presenting problem or ailment is viewed as just one part of a larger picture. The goal is not just eradication of a particular illness but also the pursuit of basic wellness. If underlying weaknesses in the body are not healed, disease will simply return. In contrast, a strong, healthy body will be resilient in the face of disease. They put a great deal of emphasis on patient education and prevention of health problems as the most economic, efficient, and effective means to an end. The wellness model is fundamentally different from the better known modern disease model and can be difficult to convey to people who are only familiar with the disease model.

A Naturopath uses not only the allopathic medicines of modern Western medicine but also herbs, homeopathy, and nutritional supplements, both of which are typically gentler than medication and are more supportive of underlying health instead of only looking to destroy disease. The philosophy is that the body knows how to heal itself if barriers to healing are removed, such as poor nutrition. Naturopaths may also use other alternative treatments, such as acupuncture or reflexology. Naturopathic doctors typically shy away from use of vaccines and antibiotics, preferring other options where possible. The harsh side effects of antibiotics are usually not viewed favorably since there are many non-drug treatments readily which kill infection effectively without placing such a high burden on the body. Long term effects of vaccines have not been adequately studied and the toxic effect of vaccines have been linked to a number of serious problems, especially in children.

Usually, the initial consultation is quite lengthy and involves an interview about their health, diet and lifestyle as well as a physical exam. Any herbal treatments or supplements which get prescribed are likely to be adjusted at every visit based on how their symptoms and overall condition has changed. Individuals with chronic conditions or conditions which have failed to respond to conventional treatments often find the gentler, more holistic approach of these healthcare providers to be both welcome relief from harsher treatments and a path forward towards improved health even if a cure is not possible. Since they are, in fact, licensed medical doctors, the alternative medical approaches these physicians espouse are often seen as more acceptable to their patients than they might otherwise be. Relatively conservative patients who would not normally see a practitioner of alternative medicine can feel confident that the treatment recommendations of these physicians are duly informed by their training in modern rigorous scientific thinking. This opens up the opportunity to heal for some patients who might otherwise simply be written off by conventional medicine and who themselves might not otherwise seek alternatives in the face of it.

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