What exactly is alternative medicine? How does naturopathy fit in?
Naturopathic medicine blends modern scientific evidence with traditional and natural forms of medicine. Naturopathic Doctors are primary care practitioners providing care for all health concerns in addition to providing complementary or supportive care to conventional medicine.
Complementary, integrative, or alternative medicine (CAM) are all treatments or therapies used in place of, or alongside conventional medical treatment. Today’s stressed, fast paced lifestyle, makes people seek alternative ways to realize optimum health. They want high level energy, immunity and overall health by incorporating a more natural approach and natural remedies.
Naturopathic medicine or naturopathy, fits within the scope of CAM, with the added value of addressing illness through a comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan. A regulated/licensed ND (Naturopathic Doctor) treats the whole person, determining and treating the underlying cause rather than simply managing or suppressing symptoms. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body’s natural attempt to heal.
An ND has a myriad of tools to assess and diagnose health concerns, including standard lab tests such as blood and urine. Combining scientific data with a compendium of natural therapies an ND is able to treat beyond the physical to achieve balance in body, mind and spirit.
Complementary medicine has become ‘the only alternative’ for millions of people who use it in tandem with conventional medicine, or on its own to maintain optimal health.
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