FAQs on Naturopathy

Naturopathy is a holistic approach to health care based on a belief in the healing power of nature. Naturopaths work closely with you to improve your health by making lifestyle such as improving your diet and reducing stress. They also employ alternative therapies, including herbal remedies and hands–on techniques such as massage to stimulate your body’s ability to heal itself.

Is Naturopathy evidence based medicine ?

There are countless studies that demonstrate the efficacy of natural therapies. The Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, Alternative Medicine Review, and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition are some of the many journals devoted to reporting scientific studies done on natural therapies, herbal medicines and vitamin, mineral therapy. All told, over 40 scientific journals worldwide are devoted to reporting current research in clinical nutrition. Moreover, the Textbook of Natural Medicine cites over 5000 references from the conventional biomedical literature that support naturopathic theory and practice. Bastyr University, an accredited naturopathic medical school, is a leading research center for natural medicine in America. In India, Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), New Delhi and National Institute of Naturopathy (NIN) are two autonomous government agencies primarily working for research and development.

What does treatment involve ?

During your first visit, a naturopath will spend an hour or two interviewing about your diet, sleep patterns, and emotional state, as well as the symptoms of any health problems you may be having. He or she may use the same diagnostic tools as conventional physicians, including x–rays and blood and urine tests when appropriate. Some naturopaths may also prescribe drugs and perform minor surgery, but they primarily rely on “Natural means” to treat illness. Typically, they’ll suggest you to take certain herbs, vitamins, or other supplements to address a nutritional imbalance. Or they may ask you to fast or to remove certain food groups from your diet to determine if food allergies are causing your symptoms. Finally, they may recommend stress reduction techniques like biofeedback, meditation, massage or a set of natural treatments.

How is Naturopathic Medicine different from conventional medicine ?

The main difference is in philosophical approach. Doctors of Naturopathic Medicine help people by restoring overall health rather than suppressing a few key symptoms. Naturopaths are more concerned with finding the underlying cause of a condition and applying treatments that work in alliance with the natural healing mechanism of the body rather than against it. Naturopathic treatments result less frequently in adverse side effects, or in chronic conditions that arise when the cause of a disease is left untreated. Naturopath takes more time with a patient and takes a more comprehensive approach to help the individual.

What can Naturopathic Medicine do for you ?

Naturopathic medicine treats all forms of health concerns – from pediatric to geriatric, from acute to chronic illness and from the physical to the psychological. Naturopathic medicine is beneficial for the following types of patients:

• Patients that are looking for disease prevention and health promotion strategies.
• Patients that have a range of symptoms that they have been unable to address on their own or with the help of other medical professionals.
• Patients that have been diagnosed with an illness, often serious or chronic and are looking for alternative treatments. Naturopathic medicine is very effective for improving quality of life for those with serious and life threatening illnesses.
• Patients that are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments with the aim of minimizing side effects of drugs, surgery or conventional treatments.

 Do Naturopathy treatments have any side effects ?

Normally Naturopathy treatments do not have any side effects. But sometimes, certain treatments taken without consulting a qualified doctor might cause some discomfort. However, Naturopathy treatments normally have many side benefits. While taking treatment for a particular medical condition, one realizes benefits in other conditions as well because Naturopathy treats whole body and mind.