What is the difference between homeopathic and naturopathic medicine

They look for possible imbalances or deficiencies that can be corrected to restore good health using non-invasive alternatives and medications based on natural products. Each treatment regimen is then custom-tailored to the patient, and may include supplements such as vitamins and minerals or other dietary modifications, herbal medicine, physical therapy, acupuncture, nutrition, lifestyle modifications or even pharmaceutical medicines. The underlying principle of stimulating self-healing is similar to homeopathic philosophy, which is why many naturopathic doctors include homeopathic remedies in their range of treatment options.

Naturopathic physicians attend a four-year naturopathic medical school, studying the same range of basic and clinical science courses as conventional MDs. However, they also study holistic and non-toxic treatment alternatives including clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, herbal medicine, natural childbirth, psychology and counseling.

After graduation, they must pass difficult professional board examinations to practice medicine. Some will continue training and complete residency training under the supervision of a naturopathic doctor or other board certified physician.

Naturopaths are licensed by the Naturopathic Physicians Medical Board and can serve as your primary care family practice physician. Similar licensing exists in 17 states and the Distric of Columbia. Some naturopathic doctors have practice focuses like physical medicine, hormone therapy, genetics, cardiovascular disease, or oncology.

I started their weigh loss diet program and lost 32 lbs! Naturopathy is a medical system that upholds a holistic and natural approach to the body's instrinsic ability to heal and maintain health and well being. In naturopathy, nature is believed to have healing power. Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Jason Derico, ND. What Are Naturopathic Doctors? NDs strive to remove certain obstacles the body may face in its trajectory toward a healthy state. Identify and Treat the Cause Tolle Causam : Instead of treating only outward manifestations of disease, NDs are driven to actively seek out and remove the root cause of disease.

Doctor as Teacher Docere : NDs take the time with their patients to teach them about their bodies as well as factors for optimizing health such as diet and lifestyle. A typical initial visit with a Naturopathic doctor may take around hours, with typical follow-up visits around 0. Prevention: NDs whole-heartedly believe that prevention is the most important form of medicine, and assess risk factors as well as genetic components of disease, and work with patients to make appropriate interventions to prevent disease.

A homeopathic remedy is given to a sick patient whose chief complaint is the same as the side effects a healthy person gets when given the same remedy. Finding the similimum is the most difficult part of the case, and often, several 2-hour appointments with the patient are needed to identify every little detail about the case and to find the correct remedy.

The Minimum Dose: Similar to Naturopathic Medicine, homeopaths believe the best medicine is the least invasive. Homeopaths believe the minimum dose is required for the maximal effect. Provings: Provings are healthy patients taking homeopathic medicines, and writing extremely detailed notes on how they feel physically, mentally, and spiritually. These provings are then what are used as indications, or keynotes as they are called for the treatment of a case.

Education, Residencies, and Exams for Naturopaths and Homeopaths Naturopathic Medicine Education Naturopathic doctors must graduate from a four-year undergraduate program at a university before attending Naturopathic Medical School. They both believe in discovering the root cause of illness in order to treat patients at a fundamental level. Despite these similarities, however, there are significant differences between the two.

Naturopathy is actually an all-encompassing term for a natural medical approach that embraces many different types of treatment options, including homeopathy.

Other treatments include lifestyle counselling, dietary adjustments, use of herbs and supplements, massage, exercise prescription and iridology. The core philosophy behind naturopathy is based on creating an environment within your body that supports recovery from illness. It is concerned primarily with primary health care, placing great emphasis on prevention, treatment, and optimal health, while also addressing spiritual, emotional and metaphysical aspects.