Naturopathy and the primary care practice.

Naturopathy is a distinct type of primary care medicine that blends age-old healing traditions with scientific advances and current research. Naturopathy is guided by a unique set of principles that recognize the body's innate healing capacity, emphasize disease prevention, and encourage individual responsibility to obtain optimal health. Naturopathic treatment modalities include diet and clinical nutrition, behavioral change, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, botanical medicine, physical medicine, pharmaceuticals, and minor surgery. Naturopathic physicians (NDs) are trained as primary care physicians in 4-year, accredited doctoral-level naturopathic medical schools. At present, there are 15 US states, 2 US territories, and several provinces in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand that recognize licensure for NDs.

Fleming SA, Gutknecht NC. Prim Care. 2010 Mar;37(1):119-36. Department of Family Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1100 Delaplaine Court Madison, WI 53715-1896, USA. sara.fleming@fammed.wisc.edu