A Naturopathic Doctor (N.D.) has completed a postgraduate medical education specializing in primary care natural medicine. Naturopathic doctors are distinct from acupuncturists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and medical doctors. We are uniquely trained to provide a comprehensive and integrated approach to assist your body’s innate healing processes.

Naturopathic doctors are skilled in diagnosis and treatment of disease utilizing natural therapeutics including clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, and hydrotherapy. We tailor these approaches to the needs of each individual patient. Naturopathic medicine is effective in treating most health problems, whether acute or chronic. Naturopathic doctors cooperate with all other branches within the medical field, referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.

Naturopathic physicians are trained at accredited, four-year, post-graduate, residential naturopathic medical programs. Presently, there are four accredited four-year naturopathic medical programs in the United States, and two programs in Canada. The training consists of comprehensive study of the conventional medical sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, immunology, clinical and physical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, cardiology, gastroenterology, gynecology, etc, as well as detailed study of a wide variety of natural therapies.

In the United States, the naturopathic medical profession’s infrastructure includes accredited educational institutions, professional licensing, national standards of practice, peer review, and a commitment to state-of-the-art scientific research.

Naturopathic physicians use a variety of natural and non-invasive therapies listed below. Some ND’s have additional training and certification in acupuncture and natural child birth. Naturopathic treatments are effective in treating a wide variety of conditions without the need for additional intervention. Naturopathic doctors are also able to function within an integrated framework, and naturopathic therapies can be used to complement treatments used by conventionally trained medical doctors. The result is a patient-centered approach that strives to provide the most appropriate treatment for an individual’s needs.

Botanical Medicine-This is the use of plants to heal naturally. Scientific research has proven that plant substances are often superior to synthetic drugs for clinical conditions because they are gentler on the body with less side effects. Herbal remedies are compatible with the chemistry of the human body and allow the body to use the inherent power of nature to maintain and restore health.

Clinical Nutrition-This is the therapeutic use of food and nutritional supplements to maintain health and treat illness. Many conditions can be treated effectively with food and nutritional supplements. The key is to provide the body with nutrients and healthy food choices, so that the body can be strong and resilient. The focus is on building a healthy lifestyle while fighting disease.

Physical Medicine-This includes naturopathic manipulation of muscles, hydrotherapy, hot and cold water treatments, exercise therapy and a number of advanced bodywork techniques such as CranioSacral therapy and neuromuscular therapy.

Homeopathy-Homeopathy is a powerful system that employs highly diluted substances to treat conditions according to the principle that “like cures like”. First pioneered by Dr. Hahnemann over 200 years ago, homeopathic remedies act to enhance the body’s innate vital force which represents the immune system. Homeopathy is particularly effective when treating emotional and psychological conditions and for conditions that don’t respond well to conventional medicine.

Naturopathic Counseling, Education and Stress Management-This service can address the mental attitudes and emotional states that contribute to disease. We believe that each person can identify and remove obstacles preventing their recovery. By recognizing and removing obstacles to health; the body, mind and spirit is supported and the self-healing process can begin. The Naturopathic Doctors major role is to educate and encourage the client to take responsibility for health, and to be a catalyst for healthful change. It is the client and not the naturopath who ultimately creates and accomplishes healing.

Naturopathic medicine has an independent accrediting agency, the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), which is the recognized authority for establishing and maintaining the educational standards for the profession. A nationally standardized licensing exam (NPLEX) has been established, which is used in nearly all of the states which currently license ND’s.

Currently, twenty states license ND’s (California is among the states that license ND’s along with Puerto Rico and four Canadian provinces). In licensed states, NDs practice as independent primary care general practitioners, with the ability to diagnose and treat medical conditions, perform physical exams and order laboratory testing. In these states, many health care consumers specifically choose NDs as their primary care providers.

In the state of California, Naturopathic Doctors are primary health care professionals, licensed by the Bureau of Naturopathic Medicine, Department of Consumer Affairs.

The national organization representing naturopathic physicians is the AANP, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. They are the driving force for the development of the profession and are instrumental in setting educational and practice standards. The AANP is committed to expanding awareness of the vital role naturopathic medicine has to play in the future of the health care system in the United States.

California Naturopathic Doctors Association (www.calnd.org) is the professional association of naturopathic doctors in California. Members are graduates of accredited four-year, graduate-level, naturopathic medical programs. The CNDA is dedicated to advancing the principles of naturopathic medicine and expanding California consumers’ access to this important natural, prevention-based form of healthcare.

The Healing Power of Nature-The body has an inherent ability to establish, maintain and restore health. The naturopath’s role is to identify and remove obstacles preventing recovery and to provide services that support the inherent self-healing processes.

Treat the Whole Person-The harmonious function of all aspects of the individual (body, mind and spirit) are essential to good health. Imbalances in one area affects the whole, so remedies must be based on a comprehensive understanding of the unique individual.

Identify and Treat the Cause-The naturopath seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than merely eliminate or suppress symptoms. Symptoms are the body’s attempt to heal and should not be suppressed with treatment.

First Do No Harm-The doctor must be mindful of the consequences and side-effects of treatment. The more gentle and natural the remedy, the less disruptive and invasive it is to the patient as a whole.

Doctor as Teacher-The Naturopath’s major role is to educate and encourage the client to take responsibility for their health, and to be a catalyst for healthful change. It is the client and not the doctor who ultimately creates and accomplishes healing.

Prevention-The ultimate goal of naturopathic medicine is prevention of disease, which is accomplished through working in partnership with the client to promote life habits that create good health. The emphasis is on building health rather than fighting disease. Naturopathic Medicine is committed to the creation of a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.

While the profession by name is just a century old, the natural therapies and philosophy on which naturopathic medicine are based have been effectively used to treat diseases since ancient times. The use of herbal remedies, dietary interventions, hydrotherapy, and lifestyle changes have been used throughout history and in nearly every culture to inhabit the Earth. Hippocrates, a Greek physician who lived 2400 years ago, first formulated the concept of vis medicatrix naturae “the healing power of nature”. This concept has long been at the core of medicine in many cultures around the world and remains one of the central themes of naturopathic philosophy today.

Naturopathic medicine was popular and widely available throughout the United States well into the early part of the 20th century. In 1920, there were many naturopathic medical schools, thousands of naturopathic physicians, and scores of thousands of patients using naturopathic therapies around the country. But by mid-century the rise of “technological medicine” and the discovery and increased use of “miracle drugs” like antibiotics were associated with the temporary decline of naturopathic medicine and most other methods of natural healing.

By the 1970’s, however, the American public was becoming increasingly disenchanted with what had become “conventional medicine.” The profound clinical limitations and its out-of-control costs were becoming obvious, and millions of Americans were inspired to look for options and alternatives. Naturopathy, and all of complementary and alternative medicine, began to enter an era of rejuvenation.

Today, naturopathic physicians are experiencing greater recognition as health care practitioners who are experts in the field of natural and preventive medicine, providing leadership in natural medical research, enjoying increasing political influence, and looking forward to an unlimited future potential. Both the American public and policy makers are recognizing and contributing to the resurgence of the comprehensive system of health care practiced by NDs.

NDs are independently allowed to prescribe, furnish, order or administer all synthetic and natural hormones, as well as epinephrine.