Naturopathic Medicine is a specialty of medicine that focuses on primary care, treating the cause and preventing disease before it happens. Naturopathic Physicians focus on teaching ways to live a healthy life in order to help the body fight the possibility of disease. They use natural medicines such as botanicals, nutraceuticals, homeopathy, et. cetera, to treat the cause of disease if it does occur and help patients correct any deficiency to give the person a chance to fight back, heal and never return. They may also use physical medicine such as hydrotherapy, massage therapy, and spinal manipulation to correct structural dysfunction if needed. If appropriate and absolutely indicated, pharmaceutical intervention may be used.
Naturopaths are considered Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) who can diagnose and treat disease and illness. Diagnosis is obtained through scientific means such as laboratory studies, imaging reports and physical exam. Treatment is supported through scientific studies and peer-reviewed journals as well as some clinical evidence and experience.