Home

About JTC About Naturopathy NMD Program Catalog / Application FAQ Mission Policies President's Message Program Review Welome Board Of Directors Faculty Campus Locations Contact Us Introduction The History of Naturopathy About Naturopathy Admission Requirements Pre-Requisites Acceptance Process Module Descriptions Clinical Internship Class Room Requirements Graduation Requirements Tuition And Fees Payment Plan Refund Policy Clinical Experience Disclosures Hours and Credits Instructors and Staff Instructional Resources Testing and Grading

Naturopathic Medicine

History

The term naturopathy was coined before 1900 by John Scheel, and used by Benedict Lust. Father Sebastian Kneipp had schooled Lust in hydrotherapy and other natural health practices in Germany and subsequently Lust brought Kneipp's methods to the United States. In 1905 Lust founded the first naturopathic college in the United States. Prior to 1935, Lust promoted the profession, including establishing both licensing laws in several states including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington and several naturopathic colleges.

Penicillin and synthetic drugs such as antibiotics and corticosteroids keyed the decline of naturopathic medicine after the 1930s. In the post-war era, conflicts between schools of natural medicine, increasing medical technological advances, the consolidation of political power in conventional medicine, and Lust's death all contributed to this decline. In 1910 the Flexner Report was published by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This report criticized contemporary medical education in both natural and conventional institutions, but it was perceived more as a condemnation of low-quality natural medicine education and it caused many such programs to shut down. The loss of these programs propelled a major increase in the perception of allopathic medicine as more effective than natural medicine and fueled the popularity of conventional medicine.

Naturopathic medicine never completely ceased to exist however, as there were always a few states in which licensing laws existed—though at one point there were virtually no schools. The opening of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon in 1956 was one of the most tangible acts toward the profession's renaissance. This was the first of the modern naturopathic medical schools. Its naturopathic medical training was geared toward the integration of mainstream medical science with naturopathic principles and practice, the very same mission offered by John Thomas College.

Licensure and Training

Naturopathic physicians in the United States are independent providers with training in conventional medical sciences, diagnosis and treatment, and natural therapeutics with licenses or registration granted by an individual state Naturopathic Board of Medical Examiners. They graduate from four-year naturopathic medical programs. Naturopathic physicians training with respect to modalities is different, with a focus on nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, manipulative therapy, pharmacology, and minor surgery. Some naturopathic physicians have additional training in the following: natural childbirth, acupuncture, and Chinese medicine. These subspecialties often involve additional years of study. Naturopathic physicians are required to attend continuing education yearly in order to maintain and renew their license. Naturopathic physicians are licensed to diagnose and treat disease in Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and the US Territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Naturopathic physicians are working in cooperation with both conventional and alternative practitioners to provide patients with complete medical care. Naturopathic physicians can bridge disparate fields with their training in both conventional and non-conventional treatment. Naturopathic physicians are able to identify and prescribe treatment to the limit of their state licensure authority. The referral to conventional medical doctors and specialists is undertaken when appropriate.

For licensure as a naturopathic physician in one of those licensing U.S. states or Canadian provinces, candidates must have the degree Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (abbreviated as N.D. or N.M.D.) from an institution in the U.S. or Canada and pass licensing board examinations. The abbreviation N.D. or N.M.D. may also denote the professional title and status Naturopathic Doctor that is conferred by the licensing body in the state or province.

The Principles of Naturopathy

Naturopathy is based on six tenets or principles:

1. "The healing power of nature"
2. "Identify and treat the cause"
3. "First do no harm"
4. "Treat the whole person"
5. "The physician as teacher"
6. "Prevention"

The healing power of nature (Vis medicatrix naturae).
The healing power of nature has two aspects: first that the body has the ability to heal itself and it is the physician's role to facilitate the natural processes within the body, and also, secondly, that natural items aid in healing. Following the first part of this principle includes getting adequate sleep, exercise, nutrition and, if needed, specialized items geared toward healing. The ideas that natural substances can gently move the body toward healing with fewer side effects than those found in some synthetic pharmaceuticals is part of the latter idea. To some large degree this is true, however we continue to learn that it is dangerous to over-generalize regarding this concept and some very persuasive arguments point out seeming contradictions to this idea.

Identify and treat the cause (Tolle causam).
The doctor's role is to identify the cause of a problem, in addition to alleviate suffering by treating symptoms. The underlying causes of disease must be removed for complete healing to take place. Seeking first causes is not limited to the naturopathic profession, but rather is perfected in this profession. First causes are often difficult to discern and the naturopath persists in the asking of pertinent questions in order to bring out the possible first causes in many cases. These first causes can exist at many levels: physical, mental, emotional/spiritual or electrical. The modalities employed by the naturopath and his/her experience contribute significantly to asking the questions pertinent to any potential case.

First do no harm (primum non nocere).
This statement is equivalent and equally as regarded as the identical medical statement – do nothing to harm the patient. The process of healing includes the manifestations of symptoms. Any therapy that interferes with this natural healing process by masking symptoms is considered suppressive and should be avoided according to naturopathic principles. The natural physical processes of the individual facilitate healing and should therefore be supported rather than restricted or suppressed.

Treat the whole person
A core tenet of naturopathy is the belief that health must go beyond treatment of immediate symptoms. It is often said that a sick mind cannot long exist in a healthy body. The naturopathic doctor considers all of the possible causes of illness. That means treating the entire person: body, mind, soul/spirit, and electrical system. This approach is usually called the holistic or “wholistic” method.

The physician as teacher
The word doctor is derived from the Latin verb “docere” which is translated as “to lead”. It is the role of the naturopath to educate an individual in proper and healthy lifestyles and encourage individuals to be responsible for their health. This healthy, intimate symbiotic relationship between doctor and patient is essential to naturopathic philosophy.

Prevention
The ultimate goal of the naturopathic physician is preventing loss of health. Fighting illness indicates that health has already been lost. The emphasis on building health is implemented by fostering healthy lifestyles, healthy beliefs, and healthy relationships.