Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct and comprehensive system of healthcare. It strives to attain health and wellbeing through both disease prevention and health promotion. Naturopathic treatment plans integrate current scientific knowledge with traditional healing wisdom. This provides for a truly holistic approach.
Becoming a licensed naturopathic doctor (N.D.) in British Columbia involves the following education, training and certification:
- At least three years of undergraduate training in core subjects including biology, chemistry and biochemistry.
- A four-year, full-time program in naturopathic medicine from one of eight NABNE-accredited schools in North America.
- Two distinct sets of board examinations. One exam follows completion of the second year of naturopathic training, and the other upon graduation from the program.
- For those wishing to practice additional modalities (such as IV therapy or drug prescribing), there are additional examinations (including both written and practical exams).
- At present, there are twenty-one U.S. states and five Canadian provinces offering licensure as a naturopathic doctor, with each requiring additional examinations prior to registration.
A Naturopathic Doctor strives to treat the underlying cause of an illness, rather than limiting the focus to the subsequent manifestations, or symptoms, that may arise. Naturopathic Doctors view the individual as a whole. As such, treatment plans are developed with the consideration of the individual’s physical, mental, emotional, and environmental factors.
Another important aspect to Naturopathic Medicine is that it can complement and enhance the services and treatments provided by other health care professionals. This, as a result, provides a truly integrative and holistic form of health care.