Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Healing Principles
First Do No Harm
Utilize the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies.
Identify and Treat the Causes
Look beyond symptoms to the underlying cause.
The Healing Power of Nature
Trust in the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.
Doctor as Teacher
Educate patients in the steps to achieve and maintain health.
Treat the Whole Person
View the body as an integrated whole in all its physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions.
Prevention
Focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.
Naturopathic Approach To Healing
“The Therapeutic Order was first developed by naturopathic physicians, Drs. Jared Zeff and Pamela Snider. Naturopathic physicians use it in prioritizing, individualizing and guiding treatment for their patients.
The therapeutic order works from least to most invasive interventions, from the inside out, from more general strategies, to more symptomatic, specific and targeted therapies. It includes seven steps that should be applied from the bottom up, increasing in intervention as needed to restore health. Central to the therapeutic order is that the order is not rigid, and is adapted to each patient.”
Naturopathic practice includes the following diagnostic and therapeutic modalities:
- Clinical and laboratory diagnostic testing
- Nutritional medicine
- Botanical medicine
- Homeopathy
- Naturopathic physical medicine (including naturopathic manipulative therapy)
- Lifestyle Counseling
- Minor surgery
- Prescription medication
- IV and injection therapy
- Naturopathic obstetrics (natural childbirth)
- Public health measures and hygiene
Taken directly from the AANC and AANP website.
History of Naturopathic Medicine
The origin of naturopathic medicine as an organized profession in North America dates to European doctors in the 1600s and 1700s who incorporated herbal medicine and traditional therapies and ultimately their legacy made its way here. Modern-day naturopathic medicine also emphatically embraces multicultural holistic practices that are integral to so many countries and cultures across the globe. Additionally, ND programs work hand-in-hand with leading research institutions to grow the body of evidence supporting natural therapies.
The term ‘naturopathy’ was formally codified in North America and attributed to Dr. Benedict Lust. Dr. Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy in New York in 1902. By the 1920s naturopathic practice acts were increasing across North America. However after WWII, demand for naturopathic education was on the decline as surgical and pharmaceutical therapies grew in stature and demand.
In the 1970s, a resurgence in naturopathic healing resulted in rapid growth and maturation of the naturopathic profession to where it is today. Public demand has continued to grow for the many natural therapies and root cause-based approaches core to naturopathic practice. Access to naturopathic doctors has been expanded through increased insurance coverage and legislative recognition. The profession is poised to continue to grow and provide evidence-informed natural therapies to the masses.
Core to the maturation of the profession are solid educational standards which include the AANMC Clinical Competencies of the Graduating Naturopathic Student, regional and programmatic accreditation that is recognized by the United States Department of Education and consistent regulatory requirements for licensure. The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the only accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education for naturopathic programs. Graduates of CNME accredited naturopathic medical institutions are eligible to sit for the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination (NPLEX), the passage of which is required for licensure.
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Disclaimer: The state of Texas does not currently license Naturopathic Doctors. Thus, Dr. Nicole Shusterman, ND maintains an active naturopathic medical license in the state of Kansas, and acts in Texas as a naturopathic wellness consultant, not as a physician. The recommendations Dr. Shusterman provides are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.