A Speak of Nature, the ND

THE NATURAL DOCTOR

Consider the Naturopath (ND)

By Mark Isaac Thyss
Garden of Healing®

If you are looking for a new doctor for your family, consider the ND.

Just like an MD, the Naturopath will diagnose and treat health problems, draw blood, order lab tests, perform physical exams, and even prescribe some drugs. They’re also trained in clinical psychology; they act as teacher and guide, to help you commit to a healthy and active lifestyle.

A doctor of Naturopathy uses natural therapies to keep you healthy, tending to treat minor medical conditions. But ND’s go further.

Did you know, Naturopathic Doctors are primary health care professionals?

They have rigorous training that includes nutrition, botanical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, and acupuncture. They prescribe herbs, vitamins, and other nutritional supplements. Their goals are to prevent illness, treat the whole person, and help the body heal itself via natural means.

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct and comprehensive system of primary health care practiced by a naturopathic doctor for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human health conditions, injuries, and disease.

Naturopaths help you establish a healthy lifestyle, to do all the right things for your health.

In 13 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and five Canadian provinces, ND’s are licensed to diagnose patients, order lab tests, and write some prescriptions for supplements. ND’s simply offer guidance in other states.

Look for a naturopathic doctor who has graduated from an accredited four-year, graduate-level, naturopathic medical program.

In California, Senate Bill (SB) 907 (Statutes of 2003) established the Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine within the Department of Consumer Affairs. The Bureau administers the Naturopathic Doctors Act. This law specifies various standards for the licensure and regulation of naturopathic medicine that the Bureau enforces.

Naturopathy blends centuries-old natural remedies with current medical practices, emphasizing prevention and self-care. While Western medicine tends to rely on symptomatic treatment, naturopathy seeks to find the underlying cause of a patient’s illness, supporting and promoting the body’s natural healing process.

© 1996-2009 Mark Isaac Thyss/Garden of Healing®. All rights reserved.

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