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June 2009

Naturopathic Medicine
Medicine Talk Lecture

Medical Disclaimer
The information contained in this Medicine Talk self study course is
presented for educational purposes. Nothing contained on this
presentation should be construed nor is intended to be used for
medical diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the
advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider
provider.
Should you have any health care related questions, please call or
see your physician or other qualified health care provider promptly.
Always consult with your physician or other qualified health care
provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet or fitness
program. You should never disregard medical advice or delay in
seeking it because of something you have read in this presentation.

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Overview
History
Philosophy
Principles
Healing Modalities
Medical Licensing
Insurance Coverage

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History of Naturopathy
Hippocrates taught the healing power of nature.
During the 18th and 19th century, conventional medicine was using
leeches and mercury during treatments.
Naturopathy was a movement away from harsh treatments toward
the belief that nature can stimulate healing.
Naturopathic Medicine rivaled conventional medicine in popularity
during the 19th and early 20th century.
Several hospitals exclusively used
Naturopathic Medicine.

History of Naturopathy
In the1940s, pharmaceutical companies began developing drug
therapies based on scientific evidence.
Conventional medicine turned toward drug therapies as evidencebased research showed their effectiveness.
Recently, evidence-based research has shown that natural therapies
can be just as effective as drug therapy, often with less side effects.
Naturopathic Doctors have extensive
education in both biological sciences
and Naturopathic therapies.

Naturopathic Approach

Distinct primary and adjunctive healthcare system.

Uses safe and effective natural therapies.

Methods include modern, traditional, scientific and empirical data.

Utilizes a combination of healing modalities.

Focuses on correcting the cause of disease.

Governed by six Naturopathic principles.

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Naturopathic Principles
First Do No Harm
Naturopathic Medicine uses therapies that are safe and effective.
Therapies and treatment start with the least intrusive method to
encourage health.
Treatment always moves in the direction of health versus promoting
another disease state.

Naturopathic Principles
The Healing Power of Nature
The human body possesses the inherent ability to restore health.
The doctor facilitates this process with natural, nontoxic therapies.
Blockages to healing are removed so that nature can take its course
to restore health.

Naturopathic Principles
Treat the Cause
Doctors seek and treat the underlying cause of disease.
Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body's natural attempt
to heal.
The patients imbalance is treated not the disease.

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Naturopathic Principles
Treat the Whole Person
There is an individualized process within each person that leads to
health or disease.
The multiple factors are considered while treating the whole person.
Doctors provide flexible treatment programs to meet individual
health care needs.

Naturopathic Principles
The Doctor is a Teacher
Docere was the original Latin term used for doctors and it
translates to teacher.
The doctor's major role is to educate, empower, and motivate
patients to take responsibility for their own health.

Naturopathic Principles
Prevention is the Best Cure
Naturopathic Doctors are preventative medicine specialists.
Doctors assess patient risk factors and heredity susceptibility and
intervene appropriately to reduce risk and prevent illness.

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Healing Modalities

Clinical nutrition
Botanical medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine
H
Homeopathy
h
Physical medicine
Environmental medicine
Lifestyle counseling/
stress management
Hydrotherapy
Alternative lab testing

Clinical Nutrition
Clinical Nutrition

Clinical nutrition emphasizes health

through food.

Energy, nutrients and proper hydration are

the building blocks of physiological
reactions.

Good nutrition supplies the body with

vitamins, minerals, proteins,
carbohydrates, sugars and fats.

Whole-foods are free of pesticides,

environmental toxins, preservatives,
artificial sweeteners and flavor enhancers.

Clinical Nutrition
Whole Food Diet

Supports a healthy immune system.

Helps maintain gut health.

Decreases inflammation.

Provides nutrients (essential vitamins,

minerals and fats) necessary for good
health and proper body function.

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Clinical Nutrition
Toxicity in Food

Reduce pesticide exposure by avoiding

the most contaminated fruits and
vegetables.

Eating the 12 most contaminated fruits and

vegetables will expose a person to nearly
20 pesticides per day, on average.

Eating the 12 least contaminated will

expose a person to about 2 pesticides per
day.

Clinical Nutrition
Dirty Dozen: Toxic Food
These 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables
are consistently the most contaminated with
pesticides buy these organic.
Apples
A l
Bell Peppers
Celery
Cherries
Grapes (imported)
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Potatoes
Red Raspberries
Spinach
Strawberries

Clinical Nutrition
Least Contaminated Foods
These 12 popular fresh fruits and vegetables
consistently have the lowest levels of
pesticides.
Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Corn (sweet)
Kiwi
Mangos
Onions
Papaya
Pineapples
Peas (sweet)

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Botanical Medicine
Botanical Medicine

Botanicals are derived from plants to

induce healing in the body.

R t stems,
Roots,
t
lleaves, fl
flowers or seeds
d can
be prepared into teas, tinctures, essential
oils or compresses.

The right combination of botanicals with

the right preparation can help target
healing in an individualized way.

Gentle and effective therapy that results in

few, if any, side effects.

Botanical Medicine
Examples

Calendula and Plantain which can

help heal diaper rash.

Hawthorne which can help strengthen

heart tissue.

Slippery Elm which can encourage

healing in the GI tract.

Rose Hips which can help supply

Vitamin C to boost immune function.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Oriental Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture, Acupressure, dietary

therapies, Chinese herbs

Achieve harmony in the body rather than

focusing on disease.

The theory of Qi.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture

Balances Qi within the body.

Consists of thin needles being placed into

meridian
idi points
i t iin th
the b
body
d tto stimulate
ti l t
and calm Qi.

Clinical research shows positive results

when taking measurements before, during,
after and long-term post treatment.

Homeopathy
Homeopathy

Developed by Samuel Hahnemann, MD, a

German doctor.

B
d on th
il
lik cures
Based
the L
Law off Si
Similars
-- like
like.

Symptoms are not looked at singularly, but

taken as part of a larger picture of an
imbalanced vital force.

Stimulates the bodys natural ability to

heal.

Naturopathic Manipulation
Naturopathic Manipulation

Healing the physical body, which consists

of the muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons,
and bones, through Naturopathic
Manipulation.

Addresses pain, misalignments, injury,

degeneration, circulation, nervous system
function and inflammation.

Treats underlying causes of chronic

disease and neck, back, sports, and motor
vehicle injuries.

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Environmental Medicine
Environmental Medicine

Children and adults are now

exposed to greater quantities of chemicals
in the environment and food supply.

Organophosphates are toxins used in

pesticides such as Sevin Dust.

These chemicals interact synergistically to

increase their negative effects.

Naturopathic detoxification and immune

boosting therapies are an important aspect
of restoring health

Environmental Medicine
Heavy Metals

We are exposed to toxins through

inhalation, ingestion, absorption, injection
or implantation.

Sources of toxins include vaccines, fish,

amalgam fillings, polluted air and water.

Effects on health include compromised

immune system, detoxification pathways,
mental function and nervous system.

Stress Management
Life Style/Stress Management

Stress and poor lifestyle choices can affect

immunity and overall well-being.

Prolonged exposure can lead to serious

health complications.

Lifestyle changes can help minimize the

effect of stress on the body and can
stimulate the restoration of health.

Naturopathic Doctors are trained in

counseling, stress management, and
other methods.

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Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy
Cold water stimulates blood vessels.
Hot water relaxes blood vessels.
Alternating between the two improves
circulation and increases blood flow to vital
organs.
Improves the immune system, encourages
healing and detoxification.
Sports medicine uses hydrotherapy.
Constitutional Hydrotherapy uses sine
wave stimulation.

Lab Testing
Alternative Lab Testing

Specialized tests designed to assess

function.

Alternative tests often become mainstream

over time.

Common tests are Food Sensitivies,

Organic Acids and Heavy Metal.

Licensing in the US
Licensure ensures qualified individuals
can call themselves Naturopathic
Doctors.
Provides a regulatory board to oversee
Naturopathic Medicine.
Licensed states include Alaska, Arizona,
California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho,
Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Montana,
New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont,
aWashington and Washington DC.
In non-licensed states, anyone can
portray themselves as a Naturopath.

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June 2009

Insurance Coverage
In licensed states, NDs may be covered by insurance.
Usually most PPO companies cover services.
This varies between insurance carriers.
Health Flex and Health Savings Plans also usually cover services.
Often, it is up the patient to file for reimbursement from the
insurance carrier.

Summary
Naturopathic Philosophy strives to treat the cause of disease, rather
than treat symptoms.
Naturopathic Medicine is based on six healing principles.
Several natural healing modalities are used to treat the whole
person individually.
Naturopathic Medicine is governed separately by each state through
licensing laws.
Depending on the state, insurance coverage may or may not be
available.

Conclusion
Further Resources
Bibliography
Contact Us!

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Further Reading
Books
The Organon of Medicine
Hahnemann, MD 1810
Lectures on Homeopathic Philosophy
James Kent, MD 1900
Philosophy of Natural Therapeutics
Henry Lindlahr, MD 1975
Nature Doctors
Friedhelm Kirchfeld and Wade Boyle 1994

Resources and Further Reading

Websites

www.aanmc.org
www.naturopathic.org
hi
www.naturopathicdirectory.com
www.findnd.com
www.swsbm.com
www.beyondflatearth.com
www.medicinetalk.org
www.ewg.org

Bibliography

Haller, John S. Jr. History Of American Homeopathy: The Academic Years,

1820-1935. Informa HealthCare, 2003.

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopathic Philosophy.

www SCNM edu (accessed Jan 2008)
www.SCNM.edu.
2008).

Environmental Working Group. Chemical Index. EWG.org.

http://www.ewg.org/chemindex (accessed January 2008).

Traditional Chinese Medicine. University of Minnesota Center for

Spirituality and Healing and the Life Sciences Foundation.
http://takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/what-traditionalchinese-medicine (accessed June 2009).

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June 2009

Bibliography

Acupuncture. University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing

and the Life Sciences Foundation. http://takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explorehealing-practices/acupuncture. (accessed June 2009).

Samuel
Hahnemann Creighton University Medical Center School of
Samuel Hahnemann.
Medicine: Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
http://altmed.creighton.edu/Homeopathy/history.htm. (accessed June 2009).

Environmental Working Group. Health/Toxics: The Environment.

EWG.org. http://www.ewg.org/featured/13 (accessed January 2008).

Environmental Working Group. Health/Toxics: Our Food. EWG.org.

http://www.ewg.org/featured/169 (accessed January 2008).

Bibliography

Chaitow, Leon. Naturopathic Physical Medicine. Churchill Livingstone,

2008.

Atkinson, W. Food elimination based on IgG antibodies in irritable bowel

Gut 2004 . 53(10):1459
53(10):1459-64
syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
trial. Gut,
64.

Naturopathic Doctor Licensure AANMC.

http://www.aanmc.org/careers/naturopathic-doctor-licensure.php. (accessed
June 2009).

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