Naturopathic medicine is a distinct medical profession that offers both primary and specialized medical care. Naturopathic medicine can best be described by the education of a naturopathic doctor, modalities used, and approach to treatment.

Naturopathic doctors are trained in a set of treatment modalities that focus on getting to the root of the patient’s condition. Because of the significant impact of diet on health, naturopaths often use clinical nutrition as a starting point of treatment. From there, naturopaths can use a variety of the other modalities according to their medical judgment and preferences of the patient. 

Naturopathic treatment modalities include:

• Clinical nutrition
• Botanical medicine
• Physical medicine
• Acupuncture
• Environmental medicine
• Lab-analysis

The most significant difference between naturopathic and conventional medicine is in the philosophy of treatment. To a naturopath, the body has an innate ability to heal.