FAQ’s
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FAQ’s
What is the philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine?
What is the history of Naturopathic Medicine?
What is the training of Naturopathic Doctors?
How can I know how to choose a qualified Naturopathic Doctor?
FAQ’s
What is the philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is based on the philosophy that your body has an “innate ability” to self heal. It is when these systems are blocked that disease takes place. Thus Naturopathic Doctors assist in restoring the body’s innate ability to heal balancing the fundamental components of health- biochemistry, biomechanics and the emotional predispositions. This philosophy empowers the individual to take an activce role in the health changes they experience. Our vital force promotes self-cleansing, self-repair, and therefore self-healing. This process can be achieved by focusing on the immune, hormonal, nervous, and detoxification/elimination systems of the body. Once these systems are in balance, restored health is a probability. Naturopathic Medicine offers safe, cost-effective solutions for many of our nation’s healthcare problems. Competance and respect for tradition, the scientific method, and innovation are hallmarks of a naturopathic medical practice.
What is the history of Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic treatments originated as the use of herbs and foods for medicine, exposure to fresh air and sunlight, and hydrotherapy (the use of hot and cold water application) as steam or sauna. These techniques and methods have long been respected throughout the world. While modern allopathic medicine is a youngster of less than 200 years old, Natural Medicine has been the primary medicine used by most of the human community even into the 21st Century. Herbal and traditional medical arts remain the primary medical choice of over 65% of humanity.
Naturopathic Medicine was first established as a distinct profession in North America at the turn of the 20th century by Benedict Lust, a German immigrant. Lust had been a student of Father Sebastian Kneipp, famous in Europe for being involved with a movement known as “Nature Cure.” That was the system of employing clean food, water, air, sun, and exercise with hydrotherapy as healing agents to restore health.
Lust and his wife founded the Yungborn Nature Cure Health Resort in New York state. There they incorporated other disciplines and therapies compatible with the basic principles of “Nature Cure.” In 1902, Lust began using the term Naturopathy to describe the mixture of disciplines and therapies he used to treat illness. Three years later he founded the first school of Naturopathic Medicine under the laws of the State of New York.
Throughout North America in the early 1900s, this movement blossomed with the opening of more than 20 schools offering programs in Naturopathic Medicine. In 1925, Ontario formally recognized Naturopathic Medicine under the Drugless Practitioners Act. Arizona followed with their act in 1935. British Columbia enacted the Naturopathic Physician’s Act in 1936, followed by Alberta and Manitoba in the 1940s. After World War II, antibiotics and advanced surgical techniques created a growing belief that medical science and technology would soon cure most if not all known sickness and disease. Naturopathic profession, with its emphasis on self-healing and independence from profitable drugs and heroic procedures, declined rapidly in post WWII America.
A renaissance in Naturopathy began in North America and Europe in the late 1970s and early 1980s. People and governments became aware of the limitations of science and medical technology. A growing public interest in alternative or complementary medicine to maintain and restore health has led to a resurgence of belief in the importance of diet, lifestyle, personal choice to ideal health. This validated the original principles and teachings of the Naturopathic profession.
What is the training of Naturopathic Doctors?
All Naturopathic Doctors have their minimum requirements for biochemical sciences at an undergraduate level. Many having bachelor University degrees, before entering into the four year post graduate Naturopathic Doctor training program. Graduation from a certified Naturopathic Medical School then allows an individual to sit for their provinical board exams for liscencing in their chosen province. Naturopathic Doctors then often train further in their areas of interest including: Homeopathy, Physical Therapeutics including Craniosacral Technique & Bowen Therapyamong many more.
How can I know how to choose a qualified Naturopathic Doctor?
All registered Naturopathic Doctors must sit for board exams to qualify to be liscenced in the province of their choice. You can easily find a qualified Naturopathic Doctor by checking the website of the province Board of Directors for Naturopathy and or the provincial association ie in Ontario the OAND http://www.oand.org/
