1. What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy is a healing system that is based on the belief that within your body is everything needed to help you heal. The naturopath uses combined approaches including nutrition, exercise, herbs, supplements, homeopathy, Bach Flowers, essential oils, Ayurvedic, Chinese medicine, reflexology, stress reduction and lifestyle changes among others to assist the body in re-establishing its natural balance. Naturopathy is based on the belief that mind, body and spirit creates a balanced life force for each individual.
2. Naturopath Training and Education
In some states, the naturopathic doctor is a licensed practitioner who has attended a graduate program that has prepared him to become licensed as a naturopathic physician. Much of the coursework incorporates allopathic medical procedures along with alternative approaches or treatments. The naturopathic physician must complete an internship. In states where licensing does not exist, the naturopath is prepared in natural approaches. The training may be acquired through long distance learning or via correspondence, but the focus in upon the wide range of approaches to natural health. An internship may or may not be required. The person is called a naturopath and may function as an educator or consultant.
3. Using Natural Medicine
You might be thinking that the words "natural" and "medicine" don't belong together, but these words are used in the broadest sense of their meaning. The word "natural" refers to helping the body restore to its natural state. The naturopath will generally work with natural products that are unaltered with preservatives or synthetic materials, and does not utilize pharmaceutical drugs or surgery. The word "medicine" refers to a system of healing that strives to restore the body to its inherent vitality or life force. Natural approaches either as a single tract or in combination are applied to help the body rebuild and return to its natural energy.
4. Emphasizing Prevention
Naturopathy focuses on wellness and prevention; it is a practical approach to health. Keeping the body in its optimal state of health makes good sense. Cleansing the body and ridding it of toxins or congestion can assist the body in working to its highest level of efficiency. The mind-body-spirit connection, with a focus on leading a balanced life, is emphasized as a means of preventing illness.
5. When to Use Naturopathy
A naturopathic approach can be utilized with more general conditions or a chronic illness, to keep acute illness at bay. The naturopathic approach is meant to restore or maintain the body and does not simply focus on symptom reduction. Emergencies, broken bones or serious illness need to be treated by allopathic medicine. The art and science of combining the best of both approaches is in a continual state of development, but is really what offers the best approach to prevention and wellness.
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