Naturopathy

NATUROPATHY cont.

Modality examples include:

Nutrition counseling, including dietary changes (such as eating more whole and unprocessed foods) and use of vitamins, minerals, and other supplements
Herbal medicines
Homeopathy
Hydrotherapy
Physical medicine, such as therapeuticmassage and joint manipulation
Exercise therapy
Lifestyle counseling.

Some practitioners use other treatments as well or, if appropriate, may refer patients to conventional health care providers.

Naturopathy Points to Remember

Although some of the individual therapies used in naturopathy have been studied for efficacy and safety, naturopathy as a general approach to health care has not been widely researched.
“Natural” does not necessarily mean “safe.” Some therapies used in naturopathy, such as herbal supplements and restrictive or unconventional diets, have the potential to be harmful if not used under the direction of a well-trained practitioner.
Some beliefs and approaches of naturopathic practitioners are not consistent with conventional medicine and their safety may not be supported by scientific evidence. For example, some practitioners may not recommend childhood vaccinations. The benefits of vaccination in preventing illness and death have been repeatedly proven and greatly outweigh the risks.
Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

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