As one of the oldest primary healthcare systems in the US, naturopathic medicine blends natural healing therapies with modern medical science. Naturopathic medicine is distinguished by its six principles that underlie and determine its practice using the observation of the nature of health and disease. Treatment methods are chosen upon the basis of patient indiviuality and emphasize promotion of health, prevention of disease, patient education and indiviual responsibility. Naturopathic therapies are not prescribed to simply relieve symptoms but are intended to restore the underlying health and balance. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained as primary care doctors who utilize diet and clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic physical manipulation, behavorial change, Oriental medicine, presciptive medicine and minor office procedures (in licensed states).
