Naturopathy is a medical system that belongs to the area of complementary and alternative medicine, sometimes also known as holistic medicine. Such approaches focus on healing with limited, if any, use of surgery or conventional drugs. A core tenet of naturopathic medicine is that nature--and the body itself--has the power to heal human disease. You should check with your physician before trying naturopathy.
History
Naturopathy in the United States got its start in 1902 with a German immigrant named Benjamin Lust, who founded the American School of Naturopathy, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The popularity of naturopathy peaked from the 1920s to 1940 and then tapered off with the advent of antibiotics and other new treatments in conventional medicine. It gained traction again in the 1960s and 1970s as consumers grew interested in holistic medicine of all types. Today, naturopathy has a presence in the United States and several other countries, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Benefits
Naturopaths attempt to "treat the whole person," according to the UMMC. They can employ therapies to combat a range of acute and long-term illnesses, though the holistic approach they use may be particularly appropriate for chronic maladies. Examples of conditions that naturopaths treat are asthma, arthritis, hepatitis, congestive heart failure and HIV.
Therapies
Naturopathic medicine providers often incorporate a variety of treatments into your care plan. A diet emphasizing whole foods rather than processed items is a common recommendation, as is a regiment of vitamins and other supplements, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Others modalities include hydrotherapy, where water is used for pain relief and healing, herbal medicine, yoga and exercise therapy. Acupuncture may also be an option, depending on whether your practitioner is licensed to administer it.
Training
A few different types of practitioners provide naturopatic medicine services. Naturopathic physicians go through a four-year post Bachelor's degree program. In the United States there are four naturopathic medical schools offering such programs, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Traditional naturopaths, on the other hand, take less formal training, which may consist of an apprenticeship, correspondence courses and self-study. Additionally, some conventional medicine practitioners, such as doctors and nurses, also offer naturopathic therapies.
Criticism
Dr. Stephen Barrett criticizes naturopathy for its reliance on concepts, such as "vitality" and "balance" that are not amenable to measurement or scientific scrutiny. Additionally, naturopaths tend to offer a few sensible nutritional recommendations alongside a host of "quackery" and "senseless recommendations for products," Barrett writes on his anti-medical-fraud website, Quackwatch.org.
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