Naturopathic medicine is a unique healthcare field that emphasizes disease prevention and optimal health promotion via natural therapeutics. Naturopathic medicine encourages the body’s innate self-healing process by blending centuries-old knowledge of natural therapies with current scientific advances in healthcare.
What Type of Training does a Naturopath Receive?
Naturopathic students must master all basic and clinical sciences required to graduate from a conventional medical school, including: pathology, physical examination, diagnosis, and laboratory analysis. In addition, the naturopathic physician is required to complete training in holistic and non-toxic approaches to therapy, with a strong emphasis on disease prevention, and optimizing wellness via clinical nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Are Naturopathic Doctors Covered by Insurance?
Currently, naturopathic services are not covered by medical insurance providers in Minnesota. However, if you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), naturopathic consultations and prescribed supplements are allowable tax-free expenditures. Flexible Spending programs also allow for naturopathic healthcare deductions. Please check with your plan administrators for any specific questions.
What is the difference between Homeopathic Medicine and Naturopathic Medicine?
Both Homeopathy and Naturopathy are systems of medicine which started in Europe about 200 years ago and have spread world-wide as effective and gentle healing modalities that treat almost every medical condition. The main difference between them is the type of medicines used: homeopathy uses solely homeopathic remedies, while naturopathy uses a variety of medicines, including homeopathy, but also botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, physical medicine, and lifestyle counseling.