Naturopathic physicians hold a doctorate in naturopathic medicine from a four-year, graduate-level, federally recognized (by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education or CNME) and accredited naturopathic medical school. These schools train physician-level -practitioners in diagnosis and scientifically based treatment with emphasis on natural therapies. There are currently four such schools in the United States and two in Canada. Naturopathic doctors must also pass a rigorous national naturopathic physician licensing examination (NPLEX) in order to receive a license.
This degree confers the title of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and provides a guarantee to the public that the doctor possesses the necessary training to practice naturopathic medicine. The doctorate degree prepares naturopathic doctors to offer qualified naturopathic medical care and to work together with other medical providers.
- Naturopathic physicians are doctors trained to provide individual and family healthcare and to emphasize the use of natural therapies to prevent and treat acute and chronic illnesses.
- Naturopathic physicians educate patients about why they are unhealthy or struggling with disease and provide them with the tools for achieving optimal health. NDs listen closely to each patient in order to provide them with the best scientifically-based recommendations for healing.
- Naturopathic physicians (NDs) use the most natural therapies possible to stimulate the innate healing capacity within each person.
- Naturopathic doctors base their understanding of health and disease in science.
- Naturopathic doctors evaluate their patients using conventional diagnostic techniques in order to know and understand what illness a person has and to monitor how a patient is responding to their treatments.
- Naturopathic doctors understand how to treat disease with herbs, nutrients, natural supplements, homeopathy, diet, exercise, etc.
- Naturopathic doctors assess for possible interactions between herbs, nutrients and drugs.