See also: The Vis medicatrix naturae [on other site] | Profile of a Profession: Naturopathic Practice [found online; PDF]

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Scope of Practice: Washington DC

An individual licensed to practice naturopathic medicine may: a) Administer or provide for preventive and therapeutic purposes natural medicines by their appropriate route of administration the following: (1) Natural remedies; (2) Topical medicine; (3) Counseling; (4) Hypnotherapy; (5) Dietary therapy; (6) Naturopathic physical medicine [defined as: the use of the physical agents of air, water, heat, cold, sound, and light, and the physical modalities of electrotherapy, biofeedback, diathermy, ultraviolet light, ultrasound, hydrotherapy, and exercise, includes naturopathic manipulation and mobilization therapy]; (7) Therapeutic devices; and (8) Barrier devices for contraception. (b) Review and interpret* the results of diagnostic procedures commonly used by physicians in general practice, including: (1) Physical and orificial examinations; (2) Electrocardiograms; (3) Diagnostic imaging techniques; (4) Phlebotomy; (5) Clinical laboratory test and examinations; and (6) Physiological function tests.   * Update: The District of Columbia Board of Medicine has approved "including allowing them to perform physical examinations and order laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging."

Definition of Naturopathic Medicine 

[from the U.S. Government]

Naturopathic medicine views disease as a manifestation of alterations in the processes by which the body naturally heals itself and emphasizes health restoration rather than disease treatment. Naturopathic physicians employ an array of healing practices, including diet and clinical nutrition; homeopathy; acupuncture; herbal medicine; hydrotherapy (the use of water in a range of temperatures and methods of applications); spinal and soft-tissue manipulation; physical therapies involving electric currents, ultrasound and light therapy; therapeutic counseling; and pharmacology.

Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

[from the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians]

The Healing Power of Nature Vis Medicatrix Naturę

Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent ability in the body which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to recovery and to facilitate and augment this healing ability.

Identify and Treat the Causes Tolle Causam

The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.

First Do No Harm Primum Non Nocere

Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient: 1) utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects; 2) avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms; 3) acknowledge and respect the individual's healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.

Doctor as Teacher Docere

Naturopathic physicians educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.

Treat the Whole Person

Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual path.

Prevention

Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.

Wellness

Wellness follows the establishment and maintenance of optimum health and balance. Wellness is a state of being healthy, characterized by positive emotion, thought and action. Wellness is inherent in everyone, no matter what dis-ease(s) is/are being experienced. If wellness is really recognized and experienced by an individual, it will more quickly heal a given dis-ease than direct treatment of the disease alone. (This principle was adopted by Bastyr University and added to the six principles.)

Definition and Description of Naturopathic Medicine as Taught at Bastyr University
[www.bastyr.edu/academic/naturopath/default.asp]

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct profession of primary health care, emphasizing prevention, treatment and the promotion of optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods and modalities which encourage the self-healing process, the Vis Medicatrix Naturę. The philosophical approach of naturopathic medicine includes prevention of disease, encouragement of the body's inherent healing abilities, natural treatment of the whole person, personal responsibility for one's health, and education of patients in health-promoting lifestyles. Naturopathic practice blends centuries-old knowledge of natural, nontoxic therapies with current advances in the understanding of health and human systems. The scope of practice includes all aspects of family and primary care, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and all natural medicine modalities.

The U.S. Department of Labor defines the naturopathic physician as one who "diagnoses, treats, and cares for patients, using a system of practice that bases its treatment of all physiological functions and abnormal conditions on natural laws governing the body, utilizes physiological, psychological and mechanical methods, such as air, water, heat, earth, phytotherapy (treatment by use of plants), electrotherapy, physiotherapy, minor or orificial surgery, mechanotherapy, naturopathic corrections and manipulation, and all natural methods or modalities, together with natural medicines, natural processed foods, herbs, and natural remedies. Excludes major surgery, therapeutic use of x-ray and radium, and use of drugs, except those assimilable substances containing elements or compounds which are compounds of body tissues and are physiologically compatible to body processes for maintenance of life."

Most naturopathic physicians provide primary care integrative natural medicine through office-based, private practice. Many receive additional training in disciplines or modalities such as midwifery, acupuncture and Oriental medicine, homeopathy, psychotherapy, and Ayurvedic medicine to broaden the services they can offer their patients. An increasing trend is the establishment of associate practices and interdisciplinary integrated care clinics, bringing together the services of a diverse group of practitioners. Some naturopathic physicians choose to practice as specialists.

Naturopathic diagnosis and therapeutics are supported by scientific research drawn from peer-reviewed journals from many disciplines, including naturopathic medicine, conventional medicine, European complementary medicine, clinical nutrition, phytotherapy, pharmacognosy, homeopathy, psychology and spirituality. Information technology and new concepts in clinical outcomes assessment are particularly well-suited to evaluating the effectiveness of naturopathic treatment protocols and are being used in research, both at naturopathic medical schools and in the offices of practicing physicians. Clinical research into natural therapies has become an increasingly important focus for naturopathic physicians.