Naturopathy is a medical system where doctors use natural remedies to help the body heal itself. The medical approach of Naturopathy was popularised in Europe in the 19th century.
Naturopathy is different from other conventional medications. It combines various kinds of therapies and includes changes in lifestyle and diet. The concept of naturopathy is different from other medications and has many benefits. It is because Naturopathy doctors or therapists look into the underlying causes of the symptoms to treat the patient and ensure that the condition doesn’t affect the patient again.
Who is a Naturopathy Doctor?
A Naturopathy Doctor is a medical expert who practices the Naturopathic way of treatment. Naturopathy is a branch of medicine that emphasises natural remedies and looks at the patient as a ‘whole’ before the treatment. Naturopathy treatment combines therapies, naturally extracted medications, and changes in diet and lifestyle.
A Naturopathic doctor treats patients of all ages and genders. They emphasise disease prevention, self-care and educating the patient about their condition. Apart from that, naturopathic doctors follow six principles.
The six principles followed by a naturopathy doctor are:
- Do No Harm: Use the most natural and the least invasive treatment methods.
- The Healing Power of Nature: Trust your body’s ability to heal.
- Identify and Treat the Causes: Look beyond the symptoms and identify the underlying causes.
- Physician as a Teacher: Educating the patients at every step to maintain their health.
- Treat the Whole Person: Treat the person as a whole by considering the physical and the spiritual dimensions.
- Prevention: Focusing on the individual’s overall health to prevent the disease.
What are the qualifications to become a Naturopathic Doctor?
Naturopathy has gained significant importance in recent years, and many aspiring individuals want to become Naturopathic doctors as it delves into deep-rooted natural healing methods. Candidates aspiring to become a Naturopathic doctor in India must fulfil the following requirements:
- The candidates must have passed 10+2 from a recognised educational board in the Science stream (PCMB – Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology).
- The candidates must have an aggregate score of 45% in their 10+2 exams.
- Students who complete 10+2 from other streams, such as commerce, can also become Naturopathy doctors. But for this, they will have to do 1-year training course from the National Institute of Naturopathy located in Pune.
- The candidates must also have a bachelor’s degree in Naturopathy (Bachelor of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences). This undergraduate program’s duration is five and a half years and includes both the theoretical and practical aspects of naturopathy, yoga and other similar subjects.
- After completing the Bachelor’s degree, the candidates must also undergo a compulsory internship period of 1 year. Under this internship program, the candidates can get hands-on experience under the supervision of experienced naturopathic doctors, and they will get an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
- After acquiring their degree and completing the internship program, the candidates must apply for a license to become certified naturopathic doctors. The licensing requirements may vary depending on the state’s naturopathy board or council. This licensing examination assesses the candidate’s knowledge and competency in the field of Naturopathic medicine.
A Naturopathic Doctor and a Naturopath
There are times when the terms Naturopathic doctor and Naturopath are used interchangeably, but they are not the same. The difference between a Naturopathy doctor and a Naturopath comes down to the type of education and the kind of license one holds.
Naturopathic Doctors
- Naturopathic Doctors are licensed primary care physicians trained to diagnose conditions and prescribe the necessary herbal medicines.
- To acquire the license, they complete a five and a half years degree program from an accredited naturopathic medical school.
- They can diagnose and treat medical conditions using natural therapies and holistic approaches.
- Naturopathic doctors are licensed and regulated in many jurisdictions. It means they have to meet some criteria and requirements to practice.
- The candidates aspiring to become Naturopathic doctors undergo training in various treatment modalities, including herbal medicines, nutrition, homoeopathy and more.
Naturopaths
- Naturopaths are more like health consultants or wellness counsellors rather than a doctor, and they usually do not prescribe medications or make any diagnosis.
- Unlike Naturopathic doctors, naturopaths do not need to complete education with a standard curriculum or residency program. Their education levels, training and qualifications may vary depending on the jurisdiction.
- They do not have clinical internship experience or have a national board exam to acquire the certification.
- Naturopathic doctors have a wider scope of practice, whereas naturopaths typically focus on natural healing methods, and their diagnostics and treatment practices may vary.
- As we know, regulating and licensing for Naturopathic doctors are not subject to the same levels, leading to variations in their qualifications and standard of practice.
- To become licensed and certified doctors, Naturopathic doctors must complete their internship and clear their examinations. On the other hand, Naturopaths do not have any clinical internship and do not need to pass any medical examinations to get their medical license.
- Both naturopathic doctors and naturopaths use natural and holistic approaches that often focus on natural therapies, such as herbal remedies, supplements, lifestyle modifications and dietary changes. But, one difference is that Naturopathic doctors have a wide range of treatment modalities because of their educational qualifications, and due to this, they can also refer to conventional medication when necessary.
FAQs
1. What is the philosophy behind naturopathic medicine?
The philosophy behind naturopathic medicine is the belief that the body has the innate ability to heal itself, and naturopathic doctors emphasise the principles of treating the person as a whole by considering their physical, mental, emotional and environmental factors.
2. What are the main principles of naturopathic medicine?
The main principles of naturopathic medicine are rooted in holistic healthcare that focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself. The three principles are:
- The Healing Power of Nature
- Identify and Treat the Root Cause
- Treat the Whole Person
3. How does a naturopathic doctor differ from a conventional medical doctor?
- Naturopathic doctors focus on a holistic approach to healthcare by focusing on the body’s ability to heal and eliminate the health condition from the root. Conventional medical doctors, on the other hand, follow an allopathic approach which focuses on diagnosing and treating specific diseases.
- Naturopathic doctors attend accredited naturopathic medical schools where they study basic medical sciences and holistic modalities such as nutrition, herbal medicine, and acupuncture. In contrast, conventional doctors attend medical schools emphasising pharmaceutical interventions and surgical procedures.
- Naturopathic doctors spend more time with the patients during the consultation period. They consider comprehensive medical history and physical, mental and emotional factors. On the other hand, conventional medical doctors rely more on laboratory tests, imaging and medical technologies for diagnoses.
4. What conditions or health issues do naturopathic doctors treat?
Naturopathic doctors treat a wide range of medical conditions and health issues, and some common health conditions that they treat are:
- Digestive Disorders
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Allergies and Respiratory conditions
- Chronic Pain
- Autoimmune disorders and
- Skin conditions like acne, dermatitis, eczema, and many more.
5. Do naturopathic doctors work in collaboration with other healthcare providers?
Naturopathic doctors collaborate with other healthcare providers and may coordinate and work alongside other medical doctors, nutritionists, osteopathic physicians, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive and integrative care to patients.
