What IS Naturopathic Medicine?

Lets address that burning question that I have yet to answer:  What IS Naturopathic Medicine?

This subject took me 4 years to really comprehend, so here goes: It is a culminating blend of scientific, evidence-based knowledge with the traditional wisdom that nature is our most fundamental healer.  Naturopathic medicine is a form of primary health care that looks at each individual as a whole entity and makes a diagnosis based on this premise.  Visits run anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, and go through the patient’s entire health history and anything relevant to their well-being.  Physical examinations and lab testing may be performed and interpreted to ensure the most accurate assessment possible. Natural treatments such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, nutrition, homeopathy and physical medicine are then used to enhance the body’s innate ability to heal. In BC, ND’s are licensed to prescribe pharmaceutical drugs and these are used in necessary circumstances.

Despite some of the [quite entertaining] misconceptions about what we do (including, potion-makers, tree-huggers, plant-worshipers, etc.), Naturopathic physicians are regulated in many states and provinces across North America and go through an absolutely grueling (yet empowering) 4 year period of intense academic study, hands-on clinical training and a multitude of examinations.  To be accepted into any accredited Naturopathic medical school, we are required to have a University Bachelor’s degree with a highly competitive GPA and a long list of scientific prerequisites.  But enough with the boring stuff, what we share with patients is so far beyond what you can learn in a book.  One of the most effective and interesting ways to explain what we do is to go through the 6 principles that our profession lives by.  No matter the style, technique, or disposition of each Naturopathic doctor, the foundation of our practice lies on these golden rules:

The 6 principles of Naturopathic Medicine: 

• First, do no harm.                   (A non-invasive, safe approach to health care)
• Healing power of nature.        (Recognizing the body’s own ability to heal, with a little help                                                                       from mother nature)
• Identify and treat the cause.   (Address and expel the underlying dis-ease, no band-aids)
• Doctor as teacher.                  (A dedication to educating patients about their own health)
• Treat the whole person.         (Each person is unique and complex and deserves a treatment    

plan accordingly)

• Prevention.                              (The best kind of medicine)

I hope that this helps to clarify a little more about the practice of Naturopathic Medicine.  However, it is just the tip of the iceberg.  Each week I will take you through different trends and topics relating to natural health, all contributing to YOU feeling your best.

In health and happiness,

Dr. Kremblewski
www.drkylakremblewski.com