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What
is Naturopathic
Medicine?
Naturopathic
Medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to
improving health and treating illness. Focusing on prevention and
using natural substances and therapies, Naturopathic Doctors (ND's)
support and stimulate the body's ability to heal itself.
The prime goal of naturopathic treatment is to
address the cause of illness, rather than to simply treat or suppress
symptoms. The patient is seen as a whole person and the ND takes
the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions into account
when diagnosing and developing a treatment plan.
Naturopathic Doctors receive a
minimum of 3 years premedical studies at university, followed by four
years at a recognized College of Naturopathic Medicine. The
education encompasses basic medical sciences, naturopathic principles
and therapeutics and 1500 hours of supervised clinical
experience.
There are currently 6 recognized schools in
North America:
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto), Boucher Institute
(Vancouver), Bastyr University (Seattle), National College of
Naturopathic Medicine (Portland, OR), Southwest College of Naturopathic
Medicine (Scottsdale, AZ) and Bridgeport Naturopathic College
(Bridgeport, CT).
Graduates must pass North American licensing
exams in order to practice in regulated provinces. Regulation
legislature is pending in Alberta, therefore the public must be aware
that there are people using the ND title or calling themselves Doctors
of Natural Medcine, who do not have equal training. The
government is highly motivated to deal with this situation.
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