NDs, holistic doctors, and medical doctors: What’s the difference? While NDs do diagnose and treat health conditions, the primary focus of naturopathic medicine is the prevention of illness and disease.īy using the six principles of naturopathic medicine, NDs aim to help patients recover from both acute and chronic health conditions while using the most natural and least invasive approaches possible. During treatment, NDs focus on addressing all these factors, rather than just one. Naturopathy emphasizes the idea that there are multiple factors - physical, mental, genetic, environmental, and more - that impact one’s health. Within the scope of their practice, NDs teach patients everything they need to know to take care of their bodies.

NDs function not only as practitioners of natural medicine, but also as teachers to their patients. By addressing the underlying root cause, naturopathic medicine aims to treat the cause of symptoms rather than ameliorate the symptoms.

NDs work to identify the underlying physiologic, biochemical, structural, and psychospiritual contributor to symptoms. NDs help the patient use this power by helping to create a healthy environment, both internally and externally. Naturopathic medicine emphasizes the healing power of the natural world as well as the body’s own ability to heal. However, in cases where natural treatment methods aren’t effective, an ND can refer out for further care. NDs focus on using medications, procedures, and other treatment approaches that are as minimally invasive as possible. All naturopathic doctors abide by the six principles of naturopathic medicine.

Naturopathic medical conferences 2016