You may have already heard a range of opinions on naturopathic practices and solutions, but what is it? When forming your opinions about it, it?s important to know the details about how it works and what solutions it may offer. Plus, it may turn out that naturopathic solutions are the ones you?ve been looking for all along! Here are the ins and outs on naturopathy and how the solutions it offers just might work for you and your situation!
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Simply put, naturopathic medicine is healthcare practice centered around prevention and treatment through therapeutic methods that promote a person?s own self-healing process.
Naturopathy can be useful for a wide range of health-related concerns, including primary care, treatment of a range of illness types (mental, hormonal, physical, etc.) and overall well-being.
Naturopathic physicians offer primary care for a variety of medical issues and to a variety of demographics. Medical intervention can be found in forms such as:
- Prescriptions
- Herbal supplementation
- Dietary and lifestyle reform
- Acupuncture
- Detoxification
- Regenerative pain injections
- Medical aesthetics
- Minor adjustments
- Nutrient IV therapy
Oftentimes, these remedies are the perfect solution to help jumpstart your body?s natural healing processes. Natural supplements are often that extra push your body needs to solve the problems you may be facing.
Additionally, while naturopathic physicians will usually guide you through these natural methods as their first idea and solution, they also will often refer you to other more conventional healthcare providers if they deem it necessary for your particular situation.
What Are Some of Its Uses?
While it?s great to know a number of examples of naturopathic medicine and practices, it?s useless without knowing what it can typically be used for. Typically, since naturopathic practices are geared towards giving the body a boost in its ability to heal itself, many minor situations can be helped in this way.
As mentioned earlier, these situations have a variety of origins, whether they be hormones, mentality, chemical imbalances or others. Some common issues that naturopathic techniques can help include:
- Acne
- Stress reduction
- Weight gain
- Digestive issues
- Depression and Anxiety
- Low libido
- Sleeping problems
- And many more
Dr. Sarah Bennett, a naturopathic physician licensed in Arizona, loves the diverse nature of the work that she does and emphasizes how many different issues naturopathy can help:
?The best part of my job is witnessing how amazing the body is and how well it can heal itself in the right environment. Sometimes, all it takes is helping it find that environment so that it can work its magic. Naturopathic doctors work with their patients to devise a personalized health plan suited to their unique needs and concerns. Plus, since everything is natural, there?s little room for concern surrounding chemicals or synthetic methods!?
If you?re experiencing anything from minor physical problems to mental and emotional issues to hormonal imbalances, contacting a naturopathic physician in your area could be a great place to start looking for a new solution.
How Are Naturopathic Physicians Qualified?
One of the biggest areas of skepticism for people new to naturopathy is the question of qualifications.
The answer to this, of course, varies with the different kinds of naturopathic practitioners that are out there.
The short answer is that yes, naturopathic physicians are qualified. The manner in which they receive these qualifications (and what all that entails) can typically be boiled down to whether the practitioner in question is a naturopathic physician or a traditional naturopath.
Naturopathic physicians have a fairly extensive list of required education and licensing. They typically complete a 4-year graduate-level program at a school recognized by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education.
Some states also require licensing for naturopathic physicians while others simply require the previously mentioned degree. The licensing entails passing an examination and completing annual education requirements.
Traditional naturopaths, on the other hand, acquire their training and expertise in a variety of other ways. Training programs in this instance aren?t regulated by accredited programs or organizations, so they vary much more in length and content.
Of course, many other healthcare practitioners (physicians, dentists, chiropractors and others) also offer naturopathic advice and solutions, even if their training also varies and it is not their specialty.
How Might Naturopathic Practice Work for You?
There can be a variety of reasons that naturopathic medicine could be a good solution for you, or at least something to try out.
If you feel somewhat anxious about more chemically-oriented solutions, getting the opinion of a naturopathic physician could be a good idea. If they strongly feel that your situation is or is not something naturopathy can address, they can talk through it with you and help you understand all of the details of their informed opinion.
Additionally, if you already have tried a number of other options to no avail, this could be the answer to your frustrations.
For instance, if you?ve suffered acne or weight problems for a number of years and no other medication, product or plan has helped, speaking to a naturopathic physician could give you insight on other paths to try.
Many of these problems are complex and often don?t have one set solution or cure, so finding the right natural plan that suits your body and situation may be the best way to help it heal and help you feel energized, confident, and more in control of your life.
In Summary
Regardless of what frustrations or circumstances you?ve been trying to solve, it?s possible that naturopathy may offer a new solution you have yet to have tried.
By understanding naturopathic methods and what all it can target and help with (as well as the validity and qualifications that actual back it up), it shows it in a much clearer and more honest light that may help you find the right decision and solution for you.