Naturopathy Research Paper
Naturopathy
Complementary and alternative medicine is one of the largest growing trends in the health care system today. Although this is a growing trend, many people are skeptical of whether this form of health care can heal and prevent illness the way that it claims it can. There are many forms of alternative medicine but the focal point of research will be naturopathy. Topics being discussed are what naturopathy is and what it has to offer as a form of health care, how naturopathic doctors treat their patients and what their credentials are, and how nutrition plays a role in this natural lifestyle belief system. Quite simply naturopathy is a system which is concerned with the whole person, rather than just the problems afflicting his/her various organs and systems. Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) teach their patients to use diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and cutting edge natural therapies to enhance their bodies’ ability to ward off and combat disease. NDs view the patient as a complex, interrelated system (a whole person), not as a clogged artery or a tumor. Naturopathic physicians craft comprehensive treatment plans that blend the best of modern medical science and traditional natural medical approaches to not only treat disease, but to also restore health. (1) Nutrition plays a very important role in naturopathic medicine. “Nutrition is the backbone of naturopathic medicine.” (4) By changing our diets and adopting a healthy lifestyle, we can often change or reverse the course of an illness and restore health. What we eat impacts every cell in our body: you are what you eat. Unfortunately, the importance of nutrition is downplayed in our society. Foods can and do have a positive and negative impact on our health. (4) Naturopathic doctors are trained to counsel their patients and help them change certain lifestyle habits such as diet and
Complementary and alternative medicine is one of the largest growing trends in the health care system today. Although this is a growing trend, many people are skeptical of whether this form of health care can heal and prevent illness the way that it claims it can. There are many forms of alternative medicine but the focal point of research will be naturopathy. Topics being discussed are what naturopathy is and what it has to offer as a form of health care, how naturopathic doctors treat their patients and what their credentials are, and how nutrition plays a role in this natural lifestyle belief system. Quite simply naturopathy is a system which is concerned with the whole person, rather than just the problems afflicting his/her various organs and systems. Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) teach their patients to use diet, exercise, lifestyle changes and cutting edge natural therapies to enhance their bodies’ ability to ward off and combat disease. NDs view the patient as a complex, interrelated system (a whole person), not as a clogged artery or a tumor. Naturopathic physicians craft comprehensive treatment plans that blend the best of modern medical science and traditional natural medical approaches to not only treat disease, but to also restore health. (1) Nutrition plays a very important role in naturopathic medicine. “Nutrition is the backbone of naturopathic medicine.” (4) By changing our diets and adopting a healthy lifestyle, we can often change or reverse the course of an illness and restore health. What we eat impacts every cell in our body: you are what you eat. Unfortunately, the importance of nutrition is downplayed in our society. Foods can and do have a positive and negative impact on our health. (4) Naturopathic doctors are trained to counsel their patients and help them change certain lifestyle habits such as diet and
Cited: 1. "Naturopathic Medicine?". The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. April 8, 2009 . 2. "What is Naturopathic Medicine?". The Center for Naturopathic Medicine. April 8, 2009 . 3. "Naturopathy". Wikipedia, the Free Encylopedia. April 10, 2009 . 4. Swierzewski, Stanley J.. "Naturopathic Medicine". Alternative Medicine Channel. April 15, 2009 . 5. "Your Research Paper 's Format". Capital Community College. April 15, 2009 .