Along with traditional medicine, some people seek out natural healing methods to address conditions and disorders. Naturopathy is one such method associated with some benefits, but it’s important for patients to involve their primary care doctor in any natural healing methods to ensure the best possible outcome.
Naturopathy is the practice of using natural therapies to address various ailments. As a holistic approach, naturopathic doctors aim to improve overall health, as opposed to simply treating the condition causing issues. As a result, treatments often involve:
Naturopathic doctors can also recommend mental health counselling and/or therapy, as well as detoxification diets and manual (i.e., hands-on) therapy. Specific treatments vary according to the patient, as doctors will tailor treatments to the needs of the person.
People commonly seek out naturopathic treatments for assistance with the following health concerns:
Because naturopathy is often considered a preventative approach, healthy individuals may also seek out care to improve their general wellness.
In order to be labelled a naturopathic doctor, a person must undergo education and training. However, some people practice naturopathic medicine without certification. It’s best to seek out a provider with certain credentials to ensure positive results. You may also find traditional medical practitioners who adopt some naturopathic treatments to supplement the care they provide.
Keep in mind that naturopathic treatments are best used as a supplement to traditional care or as part of a healthy lifestyle. People with serious medical conditions must seek out traditional medical care. It’s also important to talk to a medical doctor about the risks and benefits of naturopathic medicine before moving forward. While many of these therapies are not known to cause serious harm, they may be harmful to certain individuals depending on their specific health outlook.