You are most likely familiar with the terms MD, RN, DDS, and multitudes of other medical professional designations, but are you familiar with the alternative, holistic practices?
In this series I will take a deeper look into alternative and holistic health care options that work IN CONJUNCTION with Allopathic Physicians. These are health coaches, personal trainers, certified weight loss experts, Naturopath Practitioners and Naturopath Doctors, Holistic Nutritionists, etc.
Today, let's take a look into Traditional Naturopathy. We will discuss Naturopathic Physicians, which are medically licensed, in another post.
What is Traditional Naturopathy?
“Naturopathy is a philosophy which encompasses a view of life, a model for living a full life. The word naturopathy is a Latin-Greek hybrid which can be defined as ‘being close to or benefiting from nature.’” — Stewart Mitchell, Naturopathy: Understanding the Healing Power of Nature
A Doctor of Traditional Naturopathy, ( designated as DTN, alternately titled ND - Naturopathic Doctor, or DNM - Doctor of Natural Medicine) is a doctor in the sense of a teacher, mentor, educator. They are not medical professionals and as such cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions. They can, however, work beside the doctors, chiropractors, and nurses to create a complete wellness program focusing on holistic ways of living a healthy life.
In their solo practices, Traditional Naturopaths guide and teach their client in natural health approaches such as fasting and detoxification, dietary improvements, the use of herbs, hot baths, aromatherapy, exercise, rest, sunshine, and many other natural health modalities.
Aside from Doctorate level Naturopaths, there are Naturopathic Counselors, (NC) and Naturopathic Practitioners (NP)
The Naturopathic Practitioner goes through much of the same training as the ND, however without the clinical and medical sciences. The Naturopathic Counselor is the first step in understanding Naturopathic practices.
Why would I see a Naturopath?
People choose to see
naturopaths for various reasons from the management of everyday issues such as
headaches and stress to the treatment of debilitating autoimmune
conditions.
Many Naturopathic Clients come to ND's, NP's, and NC's for the following reasons:
Your initial consultation will always involve
a thorough case history analysis enabling your naturopath to determine whether
things such diet, lifestyle, family history, hormones and infection have
contributed to the way that you are feeling today.
Your naturopath
will listen to you and where relevant, explain possible reasons as to how
you have come to feel the way that you do. She will work through a dietary
and lifestyle plan with you to ensure that you receive practical advice that is
easy to follow.
If you want to see a medically listened allopathic physician (such as your traditional MD), but still want the holistic approaches of a Naturopathic practitioner, then you should seek out a Naturopathic Physician.
