Populace is aware of the term Naturopathy as a medicinal field and effectual way to treat many diseases since a century. Naturopathy was first supported by the Greek philosopher Hippocrates around 4000 BC. He used technique to find the root cause of the disease through investigating the person as a whole and to utilize the laws of nature for treatment Naturopathy is a means to heal medical condition through natural herbs. It relies on natural medications, such as air, water, natural food and massage. It is also identified as naturopathic medicine or alternative medicine. The method of Naturopathy is based on the tendency of the body to heal itself. The main aim of treatment through naturopathy is to promote the process of natural healing by using natural medicines. Naturopathy also includes many supplementary medicines such as are acupuncture, herbal medicine, abstinence and homoeopathy. Many current techniques like ozone therapy, bio resonance and colon hydro therapy are used to treat different types of diseases. Naturopaths do not recommend surgeries and intake of synthetic drugs. They always prefer natural remedies like herbs and foods to cure the disorder. There are some physical, mental, environmental and spiritual factors which play an important role in the curing process. Naturopaths usually adopt diverse approaches to recover patients. They do not like to just suppress the symptoms. Naturopathy also puts importance on precautionary measures so that people can avoid deadly disease.
In Naturopathic colleges, education is given on fundamental medical science with a heavy emphasis on holistic health. To become a Naturopathic Physicians (ND), candidate has to complete a four-year program at the graduate level. He can complete a diploma, an advanced diploma, or a degree in naturopathy at a university, or at a registered training institution. Different institutions have different basics and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study. Major areas of naturopathy include nutrition therapy, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, natural childbirth, and herbal/botanical medicine. Students can also do courses in traditional medicine, including biochemistry, gynecology, pathology, dermatology, pediatrics, clinical laboratory. They study historical approaches to healing that have been practiced for possibly the whole of human existence. When candidate make up his mind to do course in naturopathy, he may spend sometime to review the institutes where he is going to study. It is important to choose a recognized program, because he has to deal within the health care system. Once students complete the professional training program they are qualified for membership into the relevant professional associations. To enhance the career, students can have postgraduate options including Honors, Masters and PhD program.
Naturopathy Colleges in India -
1) Gandhi Nature Cure College, Hyderabad, AP.
2) JSS Institute of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ootty, Tamil Nadu.
3) Madras Medical College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Madras, Tamil Nadu.
4) Sree Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire, Karnataka.
5) Shree Ramakrishna Medical College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Kulasekharam, Tamilnadu.
6) The TN Medical College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Salem, Tamil Nadu.
Naturopathy Colleges in abroad
1) Naturopathic College of New Zealand Ltd, 4-6 Lynton Street, P.O Box 5109
New Plymouth, New Zealand, Phone: 06 753 8016. Fax: 06 753 8160
Mobile: 027 4333 111
2) University of Natural Medicine, P.O. Box 4069, Santa Fe, NM 87502. (505) 424-7800
Fax (505) 424-7878, Email: mdsnd@aol.com, www.universitynaturalmedicine.org
USA
3) Bastyr University Seattle, Washington Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, since April 1987
4) Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, since 1989 (baccalaureate, masters and doctorate programs). North America
5) Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine New Westminster, British Columbia Council on Naturopathic Medical Education.
6) Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine Toronto, Ontario Council on Naturopathic Medical Education.
7) National College of Natural Medicine Portland, Oregon Council on Naturopathic Medical Education.
8) Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, since 2004 (masters and doctorate programs).
9) National University of Health Sciences Lombard, Illinois Council on Naturopathic Medical Education.
10) Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine Tempe, Arizona Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, since 1999
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, since 2004
11) University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine Bridgeport, Connecticut Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, since March 2006
New England Association of Schools and Colleges, since 1951
12) Nature Care College, 79 Lithgow Street, St Leonard NSW 2065. AUSTRALIA
Ph: +61 2 9438 3333. E Mail: info@naturecare.com.au
W: www.naturecare.com.au
13) Kokoro Naturopathy & School of Reiki Healing, David Kelly, Oakwood Lodge, 1 Bracken Valley, Dromore, County Down, Northern Ireland, BT25 1TA, Ph: 028 9269 8769, Mobile 07976 714578
14) Natural Holistics, Chris Gibbs, 196 Comberton Road, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England, DY10 1UE, Telephone 07785 18726214)
15) The Northern School of Kinesiology, Pam Bracken & Clive Hall, Directors, Grove Farm Cottage, Bradbury, Durham, England, TS21 2ET, Telephone 01388 720146
16) The School of Natural Health Sciences, Julia Vaughan-Griffiths, Suite 10, 2 Lansdowne Row, Berkeley Square, London, England, W1X 8HL, Telephone 0871 717 4287.
17) The College of Naturopathic Medicine, Lynnette Prigmore, Head Office. Unit One, Bulrushes Farm, Coombe Hill Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, England, RH19 4LZ, Ph: 01342 410505.
18) The London School of Classical Homoeopathy, Gordon Manning, 94 Green Dragon Lane, Winchmore Hill, London, England, N21 2NJ, Ph: +44 (0) 208 360 8757
Naturopathic treatments are given in different places in India. Recently, naturopathy is widely used and become popular at international level because it is an effective and protected healing technique. Since natural herbs are used for healing therefore no side effects are visible. India is using old tradition of Ayurveda and yoga so it has become a naturopathy hub. In today’s busy schedule and heavy workload give birth to numerous physical disorder and mental stress, anxiety, which may increase blood sugar levels, pressure and cholesterol. Synthetic medicines have some side effects therefore people are more inclined to naturopathic treatments. The respective state government promotes the naturopathy as tourist places. It challenges reductionism, which symbolizes the essential philosophical ground and outlook of modern scientific medicine.
According to naturopaths, any disease or poor medical condition is caused by awful living habits like eating the wrong foods, too much stress and lack of regular exercise. Due to these activities, waste materials and bodily refuse build up and destroy the system. Naturopaths provide therapy which eludes this toxic buildup by adapting to healthy habits including a nutritious diet, hydro therapy, manipulation and psychological counseling. To diagnose any ailment, the naturopath takes a broad case history, which include not only family disease history but also patient’s own habits, such as what he eats and how much exercise and sleep he gets, as well as his feelings and attitudes towards health. In treating disease, Naturopathic physicians differ in applying their approach, style and choices of therapies. One doctor may use herbal medicine while another may stress homeopathy but their practices are depend on same fundamental principles of curing. These principles include a conviction in the healing power of nature, the significance of treating the whole person, the objective of treating the cause of a disease rather than just the symptoms. They emphasize the phenomenon of the prevention of sickness which is the final cure and the main concern of doing no damage to the patient. It means that naturopaths are not in favor of prescribing medicine or doing treatments that cause side effects. They use only agents upon which life depends, and more or less as they are found in nature, such as air, water, sunlight, relaxation, exercise. Several naturopaths employ other techniques, such as acupuncture, but these may properly be considered supplementary. Naturopaths have a faith that conventional treatment only look for the symptoms which may emerge again if root cause is not known. In medical field, numerous professional assess naturopathic techniques as a way to prevent the ailment rather than alleviate medical problem. But some facts are established that fibrous diets, low fat diets and preservative free diets can successfully control heart disease, bowel conditions and allergies. A naturopath provides treatment in most suitable way to facilitate the body to encourage itself into using its natural powers to cure itself.
In naturopathy treatment, many people employ meditation and relaxation as a means of calming the disorder of their spirits. Naturopathy creates the conditions which allow the body to heal itself because every individual has immune system through which numerous health problems can be cured. Humans are the part of nature and the world and they accepted that his health depended on maintaining synchronization with them. A naturopathic physician does not advise a normal treatment for ordinary health problems; instead he focuses on individual patient and applies appropriate approach based on natural therapies. If patient complaint for a sore throat, the doctor might recommend immune boosting vitamins and herbs, and help him to understand how his dietary habits activate chronic disease. Overall, naturopathy is the best way to heal medical problems.
