Naturopathic Medicine Definition – Detailed Explanation

Naturopathic Medicine Meaning:




By definition naturopathic medicine is, a branch of medicine that is non-invasive, drug-less, and is based on evidence; imparting treatment with natural elements. It believes in the theory of the self-healing capacity of the body. It is practiced, focusing on the principles of healthy living.

Naturopaths are general practitioners who are educated and trained to cure a range of health problems by removing obstacles and then stimulating the body’s innate ability to heal. Every naturopath believes in curing the complete person – mind, body, and spirit.

The sole focus of naturopathic diagnosis is to figure out the root cause of the illness. Naturopathic doctors aim at a holistic approach - to prevent illness through stress reduction and changes to diet and lifestyle, often rejecting the methods of evidence-based medicine and surgeries. Thus, every consultation typically begins with a conversation regarding lifestyle, emotional tone, physical examinations, medical history, and physical features. Although traditional naturopathic doctors deal exclusively with lifestyle changes and therapies, the contemporary ones, at times, prescribe drugs and perform minor surgery. However, naturopaths do not generally recommend vaccines and antibiotics.

Origin:

The term naturopathic came into existence from two particular words – “natural” meaning birth in Latin and “pathos” meaning suffering in Greek. Naturopaths claim, the Greek Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, as the initial advocate of naturopathic medicines; way before the term was known to the world. Later in the 19th century, during the Natural Cure Movement in Europe, the treatment became familiar. In 1895, Benedict Lust introduced it in the United States, becoming the Father of US naturopathy. By the early 1900s, a maximum of the states in the US, licensed naturopaths as physicians.

Benefits:

Naturopathic medicine is used to treat chronic as well as acute illnesses. In order to elevate well-being and remove chronic symptoms, at times, it is also used in conjunction with allopathic care. Some of the most common health issues that can be healed by naturopaths are as follows -
Allergies
Fertility problems
Obesity
Chronic pain
Headaches
Digestive problems
Hormonal imbalances
Chronic fatigue syndrome

Methods:

Since naturopathic medication opposes mainstream medicines, naturopaths prescribe the following alternative remedies and evidence-based treatments -
Acupuncture
Herbalism
Applied kinesiology
Cranial osteopathy
Live blood analysis
Psychotherapy
Massage therapy
Manipulative therapy
Hydrotherapy
Exercise
Nutritional Diet
Stress management
Meditation
Reflexology
Colonic enemas
Homeopathy
Physiotherapy

Principles:

Naturopathic medical practices are found in the following six principles -
The healing power of nature
Figure out and cure the root cause
Do no harm
Doctors as teachers
Cure the complete person
Use of preventive methods

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