Few medical treatments are entirely risk-free; however, some are safer than others. Naturopathic medicine focuses on prevention and the body’s self-healing process, incorporating low-risk and minimally invasive natural therapies. With naturopathic care, patients are treated holistically and as individuals.
Naturopathic medicine follows the therapeutic order, a set of guidelines that inform clinical decision-making. The goal is to provide the greatest benefit to the patient with the least potential for harm.
To ensure the safety of naturopathic practice, it is essential to seek care from a licensed naturopathic doctor who has earned a degree from an accredited medical school and undergone rigorous training.
Naturopathic Medicine Prioritizes Safety
Safety is a primary concern for naturopathic doctors, who typically employ the most natural and least invasive strategies to treat patients from an integrative standpoint. Integrative medicine combines elements of naturopathic therapy with conventional medicine, ensuring all treatments are safe and effective.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) have a multistep process to ensure safety at every stage of care, beginning with the first visit:
- Patient assessments: NDs thoroughly evaluate patients to fully understand health and medical needs and preferences. The discussion starts with a medical history and covers family issues, diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices. A physical exam, lab tests, and check of hormone levels, nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, oxidative stress, and genetic markers provide a full picture of the patient’s health.
- Collaboration: NDs work with other healthcare providers to coordinate treatments and minimize potential interactions and side effects.
- Transparency: All patients are fully informed about treatment options, potential risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- Professional standards: NDs adhere to high professional standards and ethical guidelines, obtaining proper licensure, completing extensive training, and treating patients within their state’s authorized scope of practice.
- Monitoring and follow-up: Patients are monitored closely throughout treatment and meet with their doctor periodically to measure progress, address concerns, and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.
Is Naturopathic Medicine Effective?
The goal of integrative medicine is to treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—and to address the underlying causes of illness, rather than just managing symptoms. Naturopathic doctors encourage patients to play an active role in their care through education and open communication.
NDs use evidence-based practices and scientific research to develop their treatment plans, ensuring all interventions are safe and effective. They take an integrative approach to treatment—a strategy proven to achieve better health outcomes.1Dusek JA, Gao Q, Kim RS, et al. Patients receiving integrative medicine effectiveness registry (PRIMER) of their BraveNet practice-based research network: outcomes of the PRIMER cohort. CTHMES. 2022;71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102904
Research demonstrates that naturopathic medicine is effective in treating a wide variety of conditions including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal pain, behavioral health issues such as depression and anxiety, and a range of other complex chronic illnesses.2Myers SP, Vigar V. The state of evidence for whole-system, multi-modality naturopathic medicine: a systematic scoping review. J Altern Complement Med. 2019;25(2):141-168. https://doi.org/10.1089%2Facm.2018.0340
Some of the conditions commonly treated by naturopathic doctors include the following:
- Digestive disorders: irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, and constipation
- Hormonal imbalances: thyroid disorders, adrenal fatigue, and menopausal symptoms
- Chronic pain: arthritis, fibromyalgia, and headaches.
- Allergies and immunity: seasonal allergies, food sensitivities, and autoimmune conditions
- Behavioral health concerns: anxiety, depression, and stress management
- Cardiovascular health: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and support for heart health
- Skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, and acne
- Chronic fatigue syndrome and insomnia
- Weight management and metabolic health
- Preventive care and optimizing overall wellness
Naturopathic doctors use a combination of dietary and lifestyle interventions, botanical medicine, nutritional supplements, physical medicine techniques, and mind–body therapies to support the body’s natural healing ability.
The Therapeutic Order
The therapeutic order is an ordered process for healing, starting with minimally invasive therapies that support the body. At the top of the pyramid are more invasive procedures, such as pharmaceutical treatments or surgery. Naturopathic doctors guide patients toward optimal health by first addressing obstacles like poor diet and lifestyle habits, stimulating the body’s self-healing mechanisms, strengthening weakened systems, correcting structural issues with gentle therapies, and using natural substances to restore health.
Footnotes
- 1Dusek JA, Gao Q, Kim RS, et al. Patients receiving integrative medicine effectiveness registry (PRIMER) of their BraveNet practice-based research network: outcomes of the PRIMER cohort. CTHMES. 2022;71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102904
- 2Myers SP, Vigar V. The state of evidence for whole-system, multi-modality naturopathic medicine: a systematic scoping review. J Altern Complement Med. 2019;25(2):141-168. https://doi.org/10.1089%2Facm.2018.0340
