What
is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic physicians (N.D.s) are the highest trained practitioners
in the broadest scope of naturopathic medical modalities. In addition
to the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostics, naturopathic
education includes therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine,
homeopathy, natural childbirth, classical Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy,
naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology and minor surgery.
Philosophy
Naturopathic physicians are primary
care and specialty doctors who address the underlying cause of
disease through effective, individualized natural therapies that
integrate the healing powers of body, mind and spirit.
Naturopathic physicians are unique in providing diagnosis and
treatment that bridges both conventional and natural medicine
perspectives; they integrate scientific research with the healing
powers of nature.
The goal of a naturopathic physician is to employ therapies that
support and promote the body's natural healing process, leading
to the highest state of wellness.
As professional leaders and pioneers in science-based natural
medicine, naturopathic physicians advocate the development of
professional standards, accountability, and regulation of all
forms of medicine in all jurisdictions to maintain public safety
and freedom of choice in health care. Further, we support broad
inclusion, collaboration and equal access in the health care system
at all levels.
The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, in Washington,
DC, is the national organization of the profession.
Principles
The Healing Power
of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
The healing power of nature is the inherent self-organizing and
healing process of living systems which establishes, maintains
and restores health. Naturopathic medicine recognizes this healing
process to be ordered and intelligent. It is the naturopathic
physician's role to support, facilitate and augment this process
by identifying and removing obstacles to health and recovery,
and by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external
environment.
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
Illness does not occur without cause. Causes may originate in
many areas. Underlying causes of illness and disease must be identified
and removed before complete recovery can occur. Symptoms can be
expressions of the body's attempt to defend itself, to adapt and
recover, to heal itself, or may be results of the causes of disease.
The naturopathic physician seeks to treat the causes of disease,
rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to avoid harming
the patient: Naturopathic physicians utilize methods and medicinal
substances which minimize the risk of harmful effects, and apply
the least possible force or intervention necessary to diagnose
illness and restore health. Whenever possible the suppression
of symptoms is avoided as suppression generally interferes with
the healing process. Naturopathic physicians respect and work
with the vis medicatrix naturae in diagnosis, treatment and counseling,
for if this self-healing process is not respected the patient
may be harmed.
Doctor
As Teacher (Docere)
The original meaning of the word doctor is teacher. A principal
objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and
emphasize self-responsibility for health. Naturopathic physicians
also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient
relationship.
Treat the Whole Person
Health and disease result from a complex of physical, mental,
emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since
total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians
encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.
Naturopathic medicine recognizes the harmonious functioning of
all aspects of the individual as being essential to health. The
multifactorial nature of health and disease requires a personalized
and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment. Naturopathic
physicians treat the whole person taking all of these factors
into account.
Prevention
Naturopathic medical colleges emphasize the study of health as
well as disease. The prevention of disease and the attainment
of optimal health in patients are primary objectives of naturopathic
medicine. In practice, these objectives are accomplished through
education and the promotion of healthy ways of living. Naturopathic
physicians assess risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to
disease, and make appropriate interventions in partnership with
their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine asserts
that one cannot be healthy in an unhealthy environment and is
committed to the creation of a world in which humanity may thrive.
About the AANP
Vision: A Healthy World Through Healthy People
Founded in 1985, the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
(AANP) is the national professional society representing naturopathic
physicians who are licensed or eligible for licensing as primary
care providers. Policy is established through a House of Delegates,
which consists of representatives from 34 state naturopathic associations,
four naturopathic specialty societies and the four recognized
naturopathic medical programs.
AANP membership has grown to over 1800 members including students,
supporting and corporate members, as well as approximately 40%
of the estimated 1500 eligible Naturopathic Physicians practicing
nationwide. Nearly 80% of today's naturopathic physicians entered
practice during the modern rebirth of naturopathic medicine, which
commenced in the early 1970s and parallels the broader public
interest in natural health care.
Accomplishments:
Promoting development of nationally standardized licensing exam
(NPLEX)
Development of an annual national convention
Assisting in achieving US Department of Education recognition
of the accrediting agency for naturopathic education (CNME)
Publication of the quarterly newsletter,\ The Naturopathic Physician\
Recognition of research needs of the profession
Development of Standards of Practice
Completion of major demographic survey
Unprecedented media exposure on national television
Proposal of policy recommendations to the White House Commission
on CAM policy
Goals:
Increase the visibility and understanding of naturopathic medicine
among the general public.
Increase the numbers of quality naturopathic physicians to serve
the public through:
continued recruitment for the colleges, expansion of the educational
system, and maintaining the CNME recognition by the DoE; as well
as maintaining federal recognition of our colleges.
Increase the number of jurisdictions that license naturopathic
physicians.
Clearly identify naturopathic medicine and its standards for the
profession and in the national consciousness.
Full integration in to the national health care system.
Promote the successful practice of naturopathic physicians.
Increase the representation of the profession in the AANP.
Demonstrate the efficacy of naturopathic medicine by continuing
research, setting strategic goals and develop a socio-political
model of integrated and effective naturopathic health care.
Education
A Licensed naturopathic physician (N.D.) attends a four-year graduate
level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the
same basic sciences as an M.D. but also studies holistic and nontoxic
approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention
and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum,
the naturopathic physician is required to complete four years
of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine,
botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling (to encourage people
to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health).
A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams
so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as
a primary care general practice physician. Additional information
on naturopathic schools can be found at http://www.aanmc.org/.
Accredited Schools
The accrediting agency for naturopathic medical schools and programs
in North America is the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education
(CNME). The CNME issues a bulletin twice a year giving the accrediting
status of each of the institutions it is engaged with. At this
time, there are four accredited institutions:
Bastyr University
President:
Daniel K. Church, PhD
14500 Juanita Drive, NE
Kenmore, WA 98028
Phone: (425) 823-1300
Fax: (425) 823-6222
Website: www.bastyr.edu
Accredited by the CNME
Bastyr Center for Natural Health
1307 N. 45th St
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 834-4100
Fax: (206) 834-4107
Website: www.bastyrcenter.org
Associated with Bastyr University
Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine
President: Patricia Wolfe, ND
200-668 Carnarvon Street
New Westminster, BC V3M 5Y6
Phone: (604) 777-9981
Fax: (604) 777-9982 fax
Website: http://www.binm.org
Granted candidacy status from the CNME in December 2003
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
Acting President & CEO: Bob Bernhardt, M.Ed., B.Sc,
LLM, EdD (cand.)
1255 Sheppard Avenue E,
Toronto, Ontario, M2K 1E2
Phone: (416) 498-1255
Fax: (416) 498-1576
Toll Free: (866) 241-2266
Website: www.ccnm.edu
Accredited by the CNME
National College of Naturopathic Medicine
President: William (Bill) J. Keppler, PhD
049 SW Porter Street
Portland, OR 97201Phone: (503) 552-1555
Website: www.ncnm.edu
Accredited by the CNME
Natural Health Center Clinic
2220 SW 1st Avenue, Portland, OR 97201
Phone: (503) 552-1551
Associated with National College of Naturopathic Medicine
Classical Chinese Medicine Clinic
2232 NW Pettygrove
Portland, OR 97210
Phone: (503)552-1552
Associated with National College of Naturopathic Medicine
Southwest College of Naturopathic Physicians
President: Paul Mittman, ND, DHANP
2140 East Broadway
Tempe, AZ 85282
Phone: (480) 858-9100
Website: www.scnm.edu
Accredited by the CNME
University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine
President: Dr. Neil A. Salonen
60 Lafayette Street,
Bridgeport, CT 06601
Phone: (203) 576-4109
Email: natmed@bridgeport.edu
Website: www.bridgeport.edu
Granted candidacy status from the CNME in March 2001
For
further information on accreditation, please contact the CNME
Council on Naturopathic Medical Education
President:
Don Warren, ND
Executive Director: Daniel Seitz
PO Box 323
Johnson, VT 05656
Phone: 802-635-7090
Fax: 802-635-7492
Email: dir@cnme.org
Website: www.cnme.org
Licensed States
Currently, 14 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories
of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have licensing laws for
naturopathic doctors. In these states, naturopathic doctors are
required to graduate from a four-year, residential naturopathic
medical school and pass and extensive postdoctoral board examination
(NPLEX) in order to receive a license.
Licensed naturopathic physicians must fulfill state-mandated continuing
education requirements annually, and will have a specific scope
of practice defined by their state's law.
The states that currently have licensing laws for naturopathic
physicians are:
Alaska
Arizona
California
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Hawaii
Idaho
Kansas
Maine
Montana
New Hampshire
Oregon
Utah
Vermont
Washington
US Territories: Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands
Licensing Authorities
Federation of Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Authorities
President:
Craig Runbeck, NMD
Email: craigrunbeck@npbomex.az.gov
602-542-8242
Treasurer: KE Edmisten, ND, LAc
Federation Contact Information
Email: fnplaorg@hotmail.com
344 SW 7th St Suite B
Newport, OR 97365-4915
Phone & Fax: 541-265-6378
www.fnpla.org
Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examination Board (NPLEX)
(416) 498-4255×227 (503) 250-9141
President: Paul Sanders, PhD, ND
http://www.nabne.org/html/index2.aspx
P.O. Box 69657
Portland, OR 97201
Executive Director: Christa Louise, MS, PhD
christa@nabne.org
North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners (NABNE)
(360) 459-9082
President: Robin Moore, ND rmoorend@yahoo.com
http://www.nabne.org
8948 SW Barbur Boulevard #157
Portland, OR 97219-4047
(503) 778-7990
Executive Director: Christa Louise, MS, PhD
info@nabne.org
Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development
Division of Occupational Licensing Naturopathic Section
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806
(907) 465-2695
P.J._Gingras@dced.state.ak.us
Arizona Naturopathic Board of Medical Examiners
1400 W. Washington Ave, #230
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 542-8242
Executive Director: Craig Runbeck
Connecticut Board of Naturopathic Examiners
410 Capitol Avenue, MS#12APP
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
(860) 509-7562
Contact: Latarsha Starling
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Hawaii Board of Examiners in Naturopathy
P.O. Box 3469
Honolulu, HI 96801
(808) 586-2704
Executive Officer: Candace Ito
Maine Board of Complementary Health Care Providers
35 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333
(207) 624-8579
Linda Harris
linda.s.harris@state.me.us
Montana Alternative Health Care Board
301 S. Park
Helena, MT 59620-0573
(406) 841-2394
Cheryl Brandt
State of New Hampshire Department of Health and Human
Board of Naturopathic Examiners
129 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-5127
Contact: Christine Topham
Oregon Board of Naturopathic Examiners
Executive Director: Anne Walsh
503-731-4045
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 407
Portland, OR 97232
503-224-7744
Email: obne.info@state.or.us
www.obne.state.or.us/
Federation Rep: KE Edmisten, ND, LAc
Phone & Fax: 541-265-6378
Email: fnplaorg@hotmail.com
Junta Examiadora de Doctores en Naturopathia Oficina
de Regiamentacion y Certification Para Profesionales de La Salud
Call Box 10200
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00909-0200
Secretary: Myrian Plaza
Vermont Office of the Secretary of State
Office of Professional Regulation Naturopathic Physicians Advisors
26 Terrace Street, Drawer 9
Montpelier, VT 05609
(802) 828-2191
Contact: Nancy A. Morin
Washington State Department of Health Naturopathy Program
Mailing Address: PO Box 47869, Olympia WA 98504-7869
Physical Address: 310 Israel Rd SE, Tumwater WA 98501
Program Manager: Holly Rawnsley
Telephone: (360) 236-4941
FAX: (360) 236-2406
Email: holly.rawnsley@doh.wa.gov
Canadian Provincial Licensing Boards
The College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC)
2238 Pine Street
Vancouver, BC, V6J 5V4
(604) 688-8236
(604) 688-8476office@anpbc.bc.ca
Saskatchewan Association of Naturopathic Practitioners
Box 1836 Unity
SK, S0K 4L0
(306) 228-2512
(306) 228-4433
Manitoba Naturopathic Association
161 Stafford Street, #2
Winnipeg, MB, R3M 2W9
(204) 947-0381
(204) 452-7044
Ontario Board of Directors, Drugless Therapy/Naturopathy (BDDTN)
112 Adelaide Street East
Toronto, ON M5C 1K9
(416) 866-8383
(416) 866-2175
