Naturopathic Medicine and Senior Citizens

In addition to traditional Western medicine, many people are interested in using different types of care to treat ailments and illnesses. Naturopathic medicine is based upon the core belief that the human body has the ability to heal itself and can also ward off disease. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) view the body as a whole person, not as a smaller diseased area such as a clogged artery or tumor. Naturopathic treatment plans are developed in addition to traditional medicine; the goal is to treat the ailment and also restore health.

In addition to medicines, NDs look at the patient’s diet, mental health, and physical activity as key components of overall health.
According to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, there are many core beliefs in the study of naturopathy that are based upon tradition and science. These include:

1. The body has the ability to heal itself when barriers such as poor diet or lack of exercise are removed

2. It is important to find the root cause of the ailment and not just treat the symptoms

3. Ensure the safety of the patient by using low risk treatment, allow the symptoms to work in the body’s favor, and customize diagnosis and treatment plans to the specific patient

4. Educate patients and encourage the patient to be actively involved in their care

5. Treat the whole person, including their mental and emotional states, spirituality, genetics, environment, and physical makeup

6. Prevent illness through proactive solutions.

Naturopathic doctors are trained through four years of medical school similar to traditional MDs but they study basic sciences and holistic science. They are also required to complete additional training in nutrition, acupuncture, psychology, counseling, botanical medicine, and homeopathic medicine. All of these disciplines help educate the ND to treat the whole person.

Patients who are interested in naturopathic care should consult with their medical doctors before embarking on any types of additional treatment. There are many MDs who work in conjunction with NDs for the good of the patient and combine their treatments in safe and healthy ways.

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