Many people are under the wrong impression about naturopaths, assuming that because these doctors are not mainstream allopathic doctors, a naturopath does not undergo rigorous or formal naturopathic training. This is far from the truth.
To become a naturopath, you must first complete a four year undergraduate degree from a college or university in either science or pre-med (pre-med is preferred). After this, the student must be accepted into a four year doctoral naturopathic degree program, pass the four years of classes and clinicals and then pass the state board licensing exams, testing for both science and clinicals. After passing these exams, the student is finally considered a licensed naturopathic physician.
As of 2008, there are only four naturopathic colleges in the United States and only fourteen states license naturopathic physicians. These schools are governed by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME), which is the accrediting agency that oversees the training programs in these four schools.
The four years of the doctoral program cover a comprehensive program of medicine.
The first year examines the body in a healthy, natural state, exploring how the body should function when free from disease. Classes cover anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, hydrotherapy, botanicals and naturopathic philosophy and theory.
The second year of the naturopathy doctoral program focuses on what happens to the body when diseased. Students study pathology, diagnosis techniques with both laboratory and clinical physical, nutrition, pharmacology and homeopathy. At the end of this second year, the students must pass a clinic entrance exam and begin their clinical studies.
The third year of the program is focused on clinical training supported by courses such as gynecology, manipulation, physiotherapy, homeopathy and nutrition. Cases are reviewed, discussed and studied and an oral exam, referred to as the primary entrance exam, is taken.
The final year of the naturopathy doctoral program consists mostly of clinical training supplemented by courses in geriatrics, oncology and ethics. The students are supervised as they serve patients in the clinic. At the end of the year, the student takes the final oral exit exam.
 | Naturopathy's primary goal isn't treating disease, it's finding the underlying cause of the disease and then working with patients to restore total body wellness through a variety of natural therapies that support the body's ability to heal itself. |
 | Because naturopathic remedies are gaining recognition and even U.S. federal support, which means it is becoming easier and easier to combine both naturopathy and western medicine into your holistic health care program. |
 | Naturopathic clinics and medicine stimulate your body's ability to heal itself with the use of natural remedies, bodywork, acupressure, acupuncture, dietary changes and lifestyle suggestions. |
There are a number of alternative treatments available for people who are looking for cures to their health problems other than or instead of traditional treatments. Naturopathic medicine covers a wide range of alternative treatments and traditional treatments. |
The word "holism" is rooted in the Greek "holos" meaning whole. It supports the idea that the universe cannot be broken down to the sum of its parts. Holistic medicine is therefore an approach to health, healing and wellness that aims to treat the patient as a complete entity without reducing him or her to mere symptoms, physical or otherwise. |
