What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care system that addresses the root causes of illness and emphasizes prevention of illness or disease. Naturopathic doctors are primary health care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a wide range of natural therapies. Naturopathic medicine plays an important role in integrative health care, as treatments can be used on their own or in combination with conventional medicine.
Naturopathic medicine supports the body's own ability to heal using treatments such as traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, physical medicine, homeopathy, and lifestyle counselling. Learn more about these treatments here.
Naturopathic medicine supports the body's own ability to heal using treatments such as traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, physical medicine, homeopathy, and lifestyle counselling. Learn more about these treatments here.
What kind of training do Naturopathic Doctors have?
After completing a university undergraduate degree including specific pre-medical courses, naturopathic medical students complete a four-year full-time program in an accredited school of Naturopathic Medicine. This program includes more than 4,500 hours of classroom training in basic medical sciences, naturopathic principles and therapeutics and 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience. Graduates must pass two sets of licensing board examinations, specific provincial board exams, and maintain ongoing continuing education in order to hold a license to practice naturopathic medicine.
Naturopathic Doctors undergo training similar to medical doctors while also studying the naturopathic disciplines. The areas of training in the four year, full-time Naturopathic Medicine curriculum are:
Basic Sciences: anatomy, physiology, histology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology and pathology.
Clinical Disciplines: physical and clinical diagnosis, differential and laboratory diagnosis, radiology, naturopathic assessment and orthopaedics.
Naturopathic Disciplines: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulation and lifestyle counselling.
Naturopathic Doctors undergo training similar to medical doctors while also studying the naturopathic disciplines. The areas of training in the four year, full-time Naturopathic Medicine curriculum are:
Basic Sciences: anatomy, physiology, histology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology and pathology.
Clinical Disciplines: physical and clinical diagnosis, differential and laboratory diagnosis, radiology, naturopathic assessment and orthopaedics.
Naturopathic Disciplines: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulation and lifestyle counselling.
Who can benefit from Naturopathic Medicine?
Everyone! Naturopathic medicine treats all forms of health concerns and is suitable for people of all ages and stages of life. Naturopathic doctors are primary health care providers and are qualified to see and treat everyone. Whether your goal is general health promotion and disease prevention, or you have a specific health concern, naturopathic medicine is for anyone who wants to take charge of their health and experience improved quality of life.
Common conditions treated by naturopathic doctors include:
Common conditions treated by naturopathic doctors include:
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Cardiovascular diseases (cholesterol and blood pressure)
Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia Diabetes (Type 2) Digestive concerns (GERD, IBS, IBD, constipation, food intolerances) Headaches and migraines Hormonal imbalances (acne, menstrual concerns, infertility, menopause, thyroid conditions) Insomnia |
Mental health (depression, anxiety, mood disorders)
Pain management (arthritis, sports injuries, chronic pain) Pregnancy Respiratory concerns (allergies, asthma, colds and flus) Skin conditions Stress management Weight management ... and more! |