Naturopathic Treatment Modalities

A naturopathic physician’s primary focus is on promoting health and preventing disease. They utilize natural, gentle, and effective therapeutic treatment modalities that are unique to the medical practice of naturopathy.

Naturopathic Treatment Modalities 1

Botanical Medicine

Naturopathic physicians are the only healthcare practitioners trained in the medicinal use of plants, herbs, and plant extracts (botanicals). They receive extensive academic training in both conventional pharmacology and botanical pharmacology. Naturopathic physicians have expertise in drug/herb/interactions and in the safe and effective use of botanical medicine for the treatment of illness and to maintain good health.

Naturopathic Treatment Modalities 2

Clinical Nutrition

Naturopathic physicians go beyond basic nutrition advice to identify the specific dietary plan and nutritional supplements that are best for each patient to maintain wellness or to correct a health problem. Clinical Nutrition counseling provided by NDs relies on a fast-growing body of scientific knowledge, the interpretation of dietary assessments for identifying food allergies or sensitivities, and teaching patients about whole foods and the appropriate use of dietary supplements.

Naturopathic Treatment Modalities 3

Homeopathy

Naturopathic physicians are uniquely trained to use homeopathic remedies—very small doses of natural substances that can stimulate the body’s inherent self-healing response (immunity) without side effects. Homeopathy can be a very effective treatment for acute and chronic illnesses. The basis for this centuries-old gentle, effective system of medicine is the principle that “what a substance can cause, it can also cure.” This means there is a relationship between the ability of a substance to produce symptoms (cause illness) in a healthy person and the same substance’s ability to heal an ill person with similar symptoms.

Naturopathic Treatment Modalities 4

Lifestyle Counseling

Naturopathic physicians possess in-depth understanding of the relationship between emotional states, health and illness. NDs are formally trained in lifestyle counseling to assess, recognize, understand and provide appropriate treatment options for behavioral issues that interfere with a patient’s health and wellbeing. They might use counseling strategies, hypnotherapy, meditation, biofeedback, and other stress management techniques. Where necessary, NDs will refer patients to other health practitioners with expertise in behavioral health.

Naturopathic Treatment Modalities 5

Physical Medicine

Naturopathic physicians are trained to use a variety of physical approaches to treat a health condition or in support of patient wellbeing. This can include therapeutic exercise, massage, hydrotherapy, ultrasound, joint mobilization, and electromagnetic energy modalities.