Naturopathy is a Western-based form of medicine that promotes the use of natural substances to eliminate obstacles to cure and to allow the body to heal itself. In existence since the 1800s, and with roots that stretch back for centuries before that, naturopathy has a vibrant history and an excellent record of helping people actively pursue and achieve the health they desire.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary defines naturopathy as “a system of therapeutics in which neither surgical nor medicinal agents are used, with dependence being placed only on natural remedies.” These remedies traditionally include the following:
- Homeopathy
- Hydrotherapy
- Botanical medicine/herbs
- Nutritional supplementation
- Dietary modification
- Spinal and extremity manipulation
- Physiotherapy (i.e., ultrasound, other electrode-based devices)
- Sunlight, fresh air, and clean water
- Restful sleep
- Appropriate exercise
However, as the profession of naturopathy and naturopathic medicine has developed, it has adopted other modalities, including:
- Intravenous nutrition/vitamin therapy
- Minor outpatient surgery
- Acupuncture (rarely)
- Pharmaceutical drugs (rarely)
Nowadays, the practice of naturopathy and naturopathic medicine is quite varied, with practitioners choosing to specialize in certain areas. For example, some prefer to work with homeopathy almost exclusively. Others see success with emphasis on nutritional supplementation. Some specialize in gynecology, men’s health, or pediatrics. For this reason, it’s a good idea to shop around and find a naturopathic doctor who is right for you. You can find more information at these websites:
