How is naturopathic medicine different from conventional medicine?
How are naturopathic and conventional physicians alike?
What treatments do naturopathic physicians use?
How are naturopathic physicians educated?
Are naturopathic medical programs accredited?
What about correspondence education?
Is naturopathic medicine covered by insurance?
Is naturopathic medicine scientific?
What is the status of naturopathic medicine in other countries?
How do naturopathic physicians interact with other health professionals?

How is naturopathic medicine different from conventional medicine?
The primary differences between naturopathic and conventional medicine are the philosophical approach and the therapies used. Naturopathic physicians (NDs) treat patients as individuals by addressing the environmental, lifestyle, attitudinal, and emotional aspects of health. This allows naturopathic physicians to find and treat the cause of the disease using natural, non-invasive therapies. In contrast, conventional physicians generally address and treat the symptoms of disease, rather than the source of the illness, and use pharmaceutical therapies or surgery.

How are naturopathic and conventional physicians alike?
Naturopathic and allopathic (conventional) physicians are both required to study the biomedical sciences at a four-year accredited graduate medical school. Included in this rigorous curriculum are biomedical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, neurology, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, cardiology, minor surgery, and others. Both kinds of physicians can diagnose a disease, predict its course, and prescribe treatment.

What treatments do naturopathic physicians use?
Through evaluation of the whole person, naturopathic physicians treat each patient individually using naturopathic treatments which may include nutritional counseling, physical manipulation, botanical medicine, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture, minor surgery, limited drug therapy, and other modalities. While they may choose to prescribe these drugs over using natural therapies in certain situations and make referrals when a patient needs treatment outside the scope of naturopathic practice, the scope of alternatives available to them renders this an unusual circumstance.

How are naturopathic physicians educated?
After completing a standard premedical undergraduate curriculum, aspiring naturopathic physicians enter into a four-year medical program. The first two years of naturopathic medical school consist of education in the basic biomedical sciences similar to that of conventional medical school. The second two years emphasize clinical education in natural therapeutics. Upon successful completion of the four-year program, graduates receive the degree of Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.

Are naturopathic medical programs accredited?
Yes. The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the only accrediting body for naturopathic medical schools recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The CNME has accredited three naturopathic medical programs in the U.S., including that of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, and one in Canada. Students enrolled in these schools are eligible for federal financial aid. Upon successful completion of any of these programs, a naturopathic physician is eligible to take state or national board examinations to obtain licensure.

What about correspondence education?
None of the CNME accredited institutions offer any portion of the ND degree via correspondence, and graduates of non-accredited institutions are not eligible to sit for the national board exams in naturopathic medicine.

Is naturopathic medicine covered by insurance?
Yes. Many insurance carriers cover naturopathic medicine in the U.S. and Canada. However, there are still many limitations as to what therapies are covered. Since naturopathic physicians use alternatives to costly techniques and drug therapies, more insurance companies are beginning to investigate expanding coverage of this cost-effective healing method.

Is naturopathic medicine scientific?
Yes. Naturopathic medicine is based on a solid body of knowledge that has evolved and been refined over centuries. It continues to grow and incorporate scientific advances. The Southwest College Research Institute, a department of the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, continues to perform state of the art studies that are published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

What is the status of naturopathic medicine in other countries?
There is no exact counterpart to American naturopathic medicine in other countries. However, many of the modalities are widely used and supported by foreign governments and insurance companies, especially in Europe and Asia.

How do naturopathic physicians interact with other health professionals?
NDs have an understanding of their limitations, and refer patients to other health care providers such as MDs, MD specialists, DOs, psychotherapists, acupuncturists, and chiropractors when it is necessary. Most naturopathic practices have extensive cross-referrals with other practitioners. As part of the SCNM ND program, students have extensive exposure and experience with local hospitals, MDs, and other healthcare practitioners.