What Is A Naturopath?
In the United States, that can be a confusing question, because there are two types of practitioners who call themselves naturopaths. They are involved in legal battles to determine licensure, certification and legal designations of both types of practitioners.
Naturopathic Physicians
Naturopathic Physicians usually use the initials NP (Naturopathic Physician) or DPM (Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine) after their names. They are licensed and their practice is regulated in several states. Naturopathic Physicians have graduated from a four-year professional school similar to medical school. They have an extensive, standardized, science-based education.
Traditional Naturopaths
Traditional naturopaths have no standardized training. Many do have special training, but there is no way to know what has been covered in their training. They help the body heal itself naturally by looking for and treating the causes of illnesses using natural methods.
Naturopaths believe that the body has a vital force, and is capable of healing itself. They believe the body is out of balance, and illness is caused by that imbalance. The key to treating an illness is to find the cause and eliminate it.
They are holistic practitioners, and believe that body, mind and spirit are all part of the picture and must all be considered when treating illness. They evaluate your physical condition and your diet, environment and lifestyle.
As much as possible, naturopaths use natural remedies. They may prescribe lifestyle changes, homeopathic treatments, body work, acupuncture, herbal remedies or food supplements. They try to help your body heal itself.
Because of the confusion in the US, it’s important to ask your naturopath where she was trained and what kind of training she has. You may prefer a naturopathic physician or a traditional naturopath, but you do need to know which kind of naturopath is treating you.