Traditional Naturopathy Schools and Careers Q&A
What is Traditional Naturopathy?
Traditional naturopathy has been practiced since the beginning of human life, and is based on the philosophy that the body has tremendous innate abilities to heal itself. The traditional naturopathic practitioner counsels patients on nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, merely initiating and guiding the body in its healing by performing non-invasive procedures and using a variety of techniques including massage, herbology, homeopathy, hydrotherapy and other natural methods to promote the body's self-healing. Practitioners of traditional naturopathy believe in the healing power of nature; they do not focus on trying to diagnose and treat a specific illness but rather they focus on strengthening the body's own defenses.
What is the difference between Traditional Naturopathy and Naturopathic Medicine?
It is important to distinguish the difference between traditional naturopathy and naturopathic medicine both on a philosophical level as well as the training received. Traditional naturopathy can be easily confused with naturopathic medicine by those not familiar with the differences in philosophy and practice between the two. Although the two overlap in many areas, they differ significantly as well. Practitioners trained to be traditional naturopaths may obtain their training at any number of institutions, some of which may even be correspondence schools which require little or no actual in classroom time. Traditional naturopaths believe that natural healing is an art based on observation and experience. Those trained in naturopathic medicine attend accredited four year schools (of which there are seven in North America) and graduate as naturopathic physicians (ND). They believe naturopathy is a system of medicine based in scientific roots and their practice may include diagnosing and treating diseases, some types of invasive surgical procedures, and prescribing of pharmaceuticals.
For more information on the differences between traditional naturopathy and naturopathic medicine, see these sites:
Pro Traditional Naturopathy:
http://www.naturalhealth.org/tradnaturo/history.html
Pro Naturopathic Medicine:
http://www.healingmountainpublishing.com/articles/NPmedicine.html
Where can I get training?
- Florida
Everglades University - A campus in Sarasota- Everglades University - Orlando (Branch Campus) - Altamonte Springs
- Everglades University - Boca Raton - Boca Raton
- Everglades University - Sarasota (Branch Campus) - Sarasota
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