Naturopathic medicine is a system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself.
Naturopathic medicine is a system that uses natural remedies to help the body heal itself. It embraces many therapies, including herbs, massage, acupuncture, exercise, and nutritional counseling.
Naturopathy was brought to the United States from Germany in the 1800s, but some of its treatments are centuries old. Today, it combines traditional treatments with some aspects of modern science.
How Does It Work?
The goal of naturopathic medicine is to treat the whole person -- that means mind, body, and spirit. It also aims to heal the root causes of an illness -- not just stop the symptoms.
A naturopathic doctor may spend 1 to 2 hours examining you. They’ll ask questions about your health history, stress levels, and lifestyle habits. They may order lab tests.
Afterwards, they will typically discuss your personal health plan. Naturopathic medicine focuses on education and prevention, so your doctor may give you diet, exercise, or stress management tips. They might use complementary medicine -- like homeopathy, herbal medicine, and acupuncture -- in addition to naturopathic treatments. They may also use touch, such as massage and pressure, to create balance in your body. This is called naturopathic manipulative therapy.
Will It Work for My Condition?
Naturopathic medicine is used for a wide range of health issues. Some of the more common ones include:
Allergies
Headaches
Fertility issues
Digestive problems
Obesity
Hormonal imbalances
Chronic pain
Chronic fatigue syndrome Keep Your Doctor ‘in the Loop’
A few naturopathic treatments have known side effects and risks:
Supplements (vitamin and herbal):
Some of these may interfere with prescription medications. In large doses, certain vitamins may raise your risk of a disease like cancer.
Spinal adjustments:
As part of naturopathic manipulative treatment, your practitioner may apply pressure to your spine. This can damage arteries, nerves, bones, and spinal discs. In rare cases, it may lead to a stroke.
Detox diets:
These treatments are meant to rid your body of toxins. They involve cutting out certain foods or fasting. That means going for periods without eating. This can be dangerous for people with some chronic conditions, like diabetes. If you’re on the diet for a long time, you run the risk of not getting enough vital nutrients.
