Some of you, if not most, have no idea what a naturopathic doctor is. And that is ok! If it wasn't for a random Google search several years ago, I would have never known that this profession even existed. To my surprise, it was everything I was looking for. Nevertheless, I want to define it for you so you have a better understanding of what it is and how it's shaped me to be a better provider.
Naturopathic doctors receive their education and training at an accredited naturopathic medical college. Programs are usually 4-5 years and include rigorous medical training. In addition to learning basic sciences (e.g., anatomy and physiology) and receiving pharmaceutical training, students also learn:
botanical medicine
physical medicine
homeopathy
hydrotherapy
lifestyle counseling
Students must also complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of hands-on clinical training/clerkship, prior to receiving their degree.
Throughout their education and clinical training, naturopathic doctors learn to diagnose, prevent, and treat acute and chronic illness by supporting the person's inherent self-healing process. Rather than just suppressing symptoms, naturopathic doctors work to identify the root cause of an individual's disease presentation and develop personalized treatment plans to address them. We rely on the Therapeutic Order™, which helps us identify the natural order in which all therapies should be applied to provide the greatest benefit with the least potential for harm.
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