What is a naturopathic doctor?

Good question: Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. Naturopaths use natural therapies, diet, etc to help the body to get in a better position to heal itself. There are schools of naturopathic treatment that are well recognized in the USA.

Not a doctor: Naturopaths are taught a non-scientific approach to patient care. Many are charismatic and use their charm to steer patients away from conventional medical treatment. They use unlicensed products with no clinical trial basis to treat according to untested "theory". Licensing is available but carries no qualifications and they have no board exams or testing. Don't waste your time or money

Unfortunately...: Drs pizzo and bensinger have answered.In addition their therapies not only are unproven for efficacy, but never tested for safety. Buyer be ware. As for dr kirshners comment about uninformed and biased opinions, which part of unproven for efficacy and safety is not clear to him.Just because something is said to be natural, it still needs to be held to a safety and workability standard.

Naturopathic doctor: In the 16 states where they're licensed, naturopathic doctors are required to graduate from an accredited four-year residential naturopathic medical school and pass an extensive postdoctoral board examination (nplex) in order to receive a license. They attempt to combine the wisdom of nature with the rigors of science. More info at www.Naturopathic.Org.

Natural Med expert: Beware of biased and uninformed opinions and false claims re: safety and efficacy. A naturopathic doctor is a graduate of an accredited naturopathic medical school. Nds are trained in clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy and more. Visit http://naturopathic.Org for more info on curriculum, practice, and licensing.