FAQ

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Naturopathic medicine combines scientific knowledge with natural healing therapies. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct method of health care distinguished by the principles on which it is based:

The healing power of nature: Naturopathic medicine recognizes the body’s inherent self healing process as ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) strive to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to support and facilitate the self healing process.

Address root the cause of disease: NDs seek to identify and remove the underlying cause of illness, rather than eliminate or suppress its symptoms.

First do no harm: Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harm: 

1) Choose methods and medicinal substances that minimize the risk of harmful side effects  2) Avoid, whenever possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.

3) Respect the individual's healing process, using the least force necessary to restore health.

Doctor as teacher: NDs educate and encourage self-responsibility for health and   acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship. 

Treat the whole person: NDs treat each person individually, taking into account his or her health history, physical, mental, and emotional state as well as genetic, environmental and social factors. True health also includes spiritual health and NDs encourage individuals to pursue spiritual practices that align with their beliefs. 

A licensed naturopathic doctor is an individual who has completed a post-graduate doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine at one of six accredited schools in the US and Canada. A naturopathic medical education requires a minimum of three years pre-medical sciences prior to admission and is a 4-year, full-time program that includes 4,100 hours of study including conventional medical sciences i.e. pathology, laboratory diagnosis, physical diagnosis, pharmacology, cardiology, gastroenterology etc. and 1,200 hours of supervised clinical experience in a variety of settings.

A naturopathic medical education also includes extensive training in clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, botanical medicine, mind-body medicine, environmental medicine, physical medicine and minor surgery. NDs must pass rigorous basic and clinical science NPLEX board examinations to be eligible for licensure.  

Licensure for NDs is not currently available in NY, NJ or PA. Efforts are ongoing to license NDs in these states. 

Some states license NDs to act as primary care physicians, have prescribing rights and perform minor surgery. NY, NJ and PA currently do not license NDs and NDs practicing in these states hold a license elsewhere. 

NDs practicing in unlicensed states cannot diagnose or treat disease, prescribe medication or offer the full scope of the services that they are trained to provide, but they can serve as a valuable part of your health care team.

An ND practicing in an unlicensed state can offer guidance in personalized disease prevention and help you to identify underlying nutritional imbalances, lifestyle issues or other factors that could compromise your health.  NDs provide recommendations to correct these and support optimal body function safely and in combination with your conventional care.

As NDs are not licensed in NY, NJ and PA it is important to maintain regular visits with a qualified primary care provider and any necessary medical specialists while working with an ND in these states.