Naturopathic medicine: quality holistic healthcare for a new medical paradigm
The origins of Naturopathic medicine
Naturopathic medicine has a rich history in Europe, specifically in Germany. Its roots are deep in the Nature Cure tradition, which used natural agents such as water, quality whole foods, sunlight, and fresh air to treat many conditions and patients. In Germany, in the 1800s, many of these Nature Cure doctors had no formal medical training. They were common people who wanted to help the sick. One such man was Father Sebastian Kneipp. Father Kneipp was a German priest who lived from 1824-1897. He suffered from tuberculosis and as a priest, couldn't afford medical care. After reading about the benefits of using water as a treatment for illnesses, he experimented on himself using intense cold water therapy. He recovered from tuberculosis and went on to treat many of his parishioners with what became known as the Kneipp water method. Naturopathy is brought to America
In 1892, Father Kneipp met and treated Dr. Benedict Lust, the doctor credited with bringing Nature Cure treatments to America. Dr. Lust first came to America from Germany in 1892. He became very ill with tuberculosis, and American doctors gave him up to die. He decided to return to Germany, where his health was restored using Father Kneipp's methods of hydrotherapy and diet. Lust learned all he could from Father Kneipp and returned to America in 1896. In 1901 he established the American College of Naturopathy in New York City. The term Naturopathy was born around the same time combining the terms Nature Cure and Homeopathy.Naturopathic medicine grew through the 1910s and 1920s, but by the 1930s and 1940s, pressure from the pharmaceutical companies, political leaders, the rise of antibiotics, and numerous other factors caused a severe decline. Schools were closed, sanitariums shut down, and doctors had their privileges revoked. Pharmaceutical medications along with science- and evidence-based medicine were the new direction of medicine. Naturopathic medicine, with its herbs, Nature Cure, and holistic view of the body was considered unscientific and based on unproven folk tradition. It therefore was almost lost.
However naturopathic medicine did not go away. It was kept alive by chiropractors in Portland, Oregon where graduates of the Western States Chiropractic College could enroll in a 2-year postgraduate course of study and receive a degree in naturopathy. This lasted until 1956 when the program was dropped. To keep the practice of naturopathy going, several naturopaths founded the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1956 in Portland, Oregon. It moved briefly to Seattle and then returned to Portland where it is today. Very slowly Naturopathic medicine began to rise.
Naturopathy today
Today there are 4 schools in the United States that offer the Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine degree. They are the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR, Bastyr University in Seattle, WA, Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Scottsdale, AZ, and the University of Bridgeport, School of Naturopathic Medicine in Bridgeport, CT. There are also two schools in Canada. Admission to these schools requires a Bachelor's degree as well as completion of pre-medical prerequisites. The schools are intensive four-year programs that require students to take classes common to all medical schools. The first two years students learn Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Clinical and Physical Diagnosis, Lab diagnosis, among others. The next two years include Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Pediatrics, etc. Included in all the "ology" classes are treatments based on Naturopathic principles. Treatments used by Naturopathic physicians include, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathy, diet and nutrition, hydrotherapy, naturopathic spinal manipulation, and others. The last 2 years also include many hours of clinical training in various school clinics. In these clinics, students treat patients under the supervision of licensed doctors and gain practical clinical knowledge that is essential to any practicing clinician.Upon graduation from one of the schools listed above, Naturopathic physicians are eligible to sit for national and state board exams. Once these exams are passed, they enter residency, set up private practice, or pursue work in other supporting fields like research, teaching, or product development. In general, most are primary care physicians practicing family medicine, although some may specialize in women's health, Chinese medicine, or classical homeopathy.
The age of the almighty doctor telling the patient what to do and think is coming to an end. In its place is an age of extremely health conscious, educated, and savvy patients looking for guidance, clarity and advice from their doctor. They want a relationship and they want to learn. Naturopathic medicine fits perfectly into this new paradigm. Contact one of the professional bodies to find a naturopathic doctor in your area.
Sources
Kirschfield F, and Boyle W. Nature Doctors: Pioneers in Naturopathic Medicine. 1994. Buckeye Naturopathic Press, East Palestine, OH.©2004 Matthew Reddy. All rights reserved. Republished with permission on 23-Sep-04.
About the author
Dr. Matthew T. Reddy N.D. is a licensed Naturopathic physician with a private family practice in Littleton, Colorado. He specializes in functional medicine, cleansing programs, nutrition, herbal medicine, and homeopathy. He is a native of Denver, alumnus of the University of Colorado, and a graduate of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine.
(303) 443-2584
www.DrReddyND.com
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