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| Scott D Olson 257 W Delaware Circle Littleton, CO 80120 720-255-3188 |
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In states where we are licensed, Naturopath are considered primary care physicians. This means that we
have similar rights and responsibilities as do medical doctors.
Naturopaths have to sit and pass a medical board exam and fulfill continuing education requirements to
maintain their license.
Each state's license differs, but in general, Naturopaths can:
- Diagnose and treat patients
- Perform a wide variety of medical procedures including: blood draws, pap smears, minor surgery,
etc... - Prescribe certain drugs: The law in Oregon states that a Naturopath can prescribe any drug of
natural origin (there are over 800 drugs in the Oregon formulary, see the Oregon Board of
Naturopathic Examiner's). - Order diagnostic tests.
Acceptance to a four-year Naturopathic College requires a premed education. Naturopaths are trained in
the following:
Clinical Science Curriculum:
- Biochemistry
- Human Physiology
- Histology
- Anatomy
- Macro- and Microbiology
- Immunology
- Human Pathology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Medical Curriculum
- Lab Diagnosis
- Physical Diagnosis
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Minor Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
- Dermatology
- Geriatrics
Naturopathic Curriculum:
- Nutrition
- Botanical medicines
- Manipulative therapies
- Homeopathy
The philosophy of Naturopathic practice is guided by six principles:
The healing power of nature -- vis medicatrix naturae
The body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health. The healing process is
ordered and intelligent; nature heals through the response of the life force. The physician’s role is to
facilitate and augment this process, to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to
support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.
Identify and treat the cause -- tolle causam
Illness does not occur without cause. Underlying causes of disease must be discovered and removed or
treated before a person can recover completely from illness. Symptoms are expressions of the body’s
attempt to heal, but are not the cause of disease; therefore, naturopathic medicine addresses itself
primarily to the underlying causes of disease, rather than to the symptoms. Causes may occur on many
levels, including physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual. The physician must evaluate fundamental
underlying causes on all levels, directing treatment at root causes as well as seeking relief of symptoms.
First do no harm -- primum no nocere
The process of healing includes the generation of symptoms, which are, in fact, expressions of the life
force attempting to heal itself. Therapeutic actions should be complementary to and synergistic with this
healing process. The physician’s actions can support or antagonize the actions of vis medicatrix naturae;
therefore, methods designed to suppress symptoms without removing underlying causes are considered
harmful and are avoided or minimized.
Treat the whole person -- in perturbato animo sicut in corpore sanitas esse non potest
Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism, involving a complex interaction of physical,
spiritual, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social factors. The physician must treat the whole
person by taking all of these factors into account. The harmonious functioning of all aspects of the
individual is essential to recovery from and prevention of disease, and requires a personalized and
comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.
The physician as teacher -- docere
Beyond an accurate diagnosis and appropriate prescription, the physician must work to create a healthy,
sensitive interpersonal relationship with the patient. A cooperative doctor-patient relationship has inherent
therapeutic value. The physician’s major role is to educate and encourage the patient to take
responsibility for his or her own health. The physician is a catalyst for healthful change, empowering and
motivating the patient to assume responsibility. It is the patient, not the doctor, who ultimately creates or
accomplishes healing. The physician must strive to inspire hope as well as understanding. The physician
must also make a commitment to her/his personal and spiritual development.
Prevention -- principiis obsta: sero medicina curatur
The ultimate goal of naturopathic medicine is prevention. This is accomplished through education and
promotion of lifestyle habits that foster good health. The physician assesses risk factors and hereditary
susceptibility to disease and makes appropriate interventions to avoid further harm and risk to the patient.
The emphasis is on building health rather than on fighting disease. Because it is difficult to be healthy in
an unhealthy world, it is the responsibility of both physician and patient to create a healthier environment
in which to live.
For more information:
American Association of Naturopathic Physicians
Association of Accredited Naturopathic Colleges
| Just what is a Naturopath anyway? |
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