Naturopaths Likely to Gain California Licensing

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http://www.mercola.com/2003/jun/11/naturopath_license.htm

 

 

Naturopaths Likely to Gain California Licensing

Legislation to expand statewide access to naturopathic medicine was passed for

the first time by the California Senate. The bill, SB 907, has now advanced to

the State Assembly.

If the bill is passed it will extend state licensure to clinically trained

naturopathic doctors in California. Californians would then have the have access

to qualified providers of natural health care.

 

Advocates of the bill state that naturopathic medicine may offer valuable health

care options that emphasize health promotion. This emphasis could reduce the

need for expensive medical treatments by optimizing the body's intrinsic

capacity for self-healing and repair.

 

The naturopathic approach to medicine involves health promotion and disease

prevention using elements of both conventional and alternative medicine.

Naturopathic medical education is a four year program that includes basic

medical sciences, such as anatomy, biochemistry, and pathophysiology, as well as

the study and application of natural therapies, such as clinical nutrition,

botanical medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, and health counseling.

 

NaturalMedicineNow.org

 

 

 

 

DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT:

I am an avid supporter of naturopathic doctors (N.D.s) who have attended

certified accredited four-year naturopathic medical schools. Unfortunately, in

states where N.D.s are not licensed, anyone can call himself or herself an N.D.

so beware.

 

N.D.s are at the forefront of the revolution of our health care system as a

health conscious public is wisely turning to these experts in natural health and

turning away from drug-based, symptom-suppression medicine.

 

If you or someone you know lives in California and would like to help

naturopathic doctors become licensed in California, please visit the

www.NaturalMedicineNow.org Web site to help this worthy cause. I would like to

see naturopathic medicine licensed in all 50 states and licensing in California

would make a tremendous impact toward that goal. If you would like more

information about finding a qualified naturopathic doctor near you, visit

www.naturopathic.org for that information.

 

For those who are interested, here is additional information on naturopathic

medicine:

 

Naturopathic doctors are primary care physicians clinically trained in natural

therapeutics and whose philosophy is derived in part from a Hippocratic teaching

more than 2,000 years old: Vis mediatrix naturae---nature is the healer of all

diseases. Their practice is based on the same basic bio-medical science

foundation that allopathic practice is; however, their philosophies and

approaches differ considerably from their conventional counterparts.

 

Naturopathic physicians diagnose disease and treat patients by using natural

modalities such as physical manipulation, clinical nutrition, herbal medicine,

homeopathy, counseling, acupuncture and hydrotherapy, among others. They choose

treatment based on the individual patient, not based on the generality of

symptoms. This approach has proven successful in treating both chronic and acute

conditions.

 

 

The six principles that guide the therapeutic methods and modalities of

naturopathic medicine include:

 

First Do No Harm--primum non nocere: Naturopathic medicine uses therapies that

are safe and effective.

 

 

The Healing Power of Nature--vis medicatrix naturae: The human body possesses

the inherent ability to restore health. The physician's role is to facilitate

this process with the aid of natural, non-toxic therapies.

 

 

Discover and Treat the Cause, Not Just the Effect--tolle causam: Physicians seek

and treat the underlying cause of a disease. Symptoms are viewed as expressions

of the body's natural attempt to heal. The origin of disease is removed or

treated so the patient can recover.

 

 

Treat the Whole Person--tolle totum: The multiple factors in health and disease

are considered while treating the whole person. Physicians provide flexible

treatment programs to meet individual health care needs.

 

 

The Physician is a Teacher-docere: The physician's major role is to educate,

empower, and motivate patients to take responsibility for their own health.

Creating a healthy cooperative relationship with the patient has a strong

therapeutic value.

 

 

Prevention is the best " cure: " Naturopathic physicians are preventive medicine

specialists. Physicians assess patient risk factors and heredity susceptibility

and intervene appropriately to reduce risk and prevent illness. Prevention of

disease is best accomplished through education and a lifestyle that supports

health.

 

 

Related Articles:

 

Naturopathic Physicians Offer Tips to Avoid Becoming Cold or Flu Victim This

Season

 

An Overview of Osteopathic Medicine

 

 

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