Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Degree

Naturopathic physicians follow the Therapeutic Order of Naturopathic Medicine, which are guidelines that help a naturopathic physician to completely resolve the patient’s symptoms and address the underlying cause while using the least force necessary.

Followed in order, naturopathic physicians seek the root cause and move to methods that invoke the body’s natural healing powers, determining how supplementary naturopathic techniques may aid the body before addressing any physical alignments to restore structural integrity to the body. If patients find that they’re unable to find relief through natural symptom relief methods, only then do naturopathic physicians employ synthetic symptom relief tactics or high force interventions.

Steps of Naturopathic Therapeutic Order

1. Establish the foundation for optimum health
   Ultimately, naturopathic physicians aim to bring patients back to health, so physicians start with removing any obstacles to health by creating a plan with the patient to address these obstacles. Oftentimes these obstacles include diet, excessive stress, destructive coping mechanisms, inadequate rest, and more. Removing obstacles to cure is core to the expression of the Naturopathic Philosophical Principle: Treat the Cause.
2. Stimulate self-healing
   Naturopathic physicians believe in the body’s innate ability to heal itself and stimulate a patient’s healing nature through therapies like acupuncture, homeopathy, botanical medicine, nutrition, and more.
3. Support and restore weakened systems
   Sometimes body functions need more than stimulation to improve, this is when naturopathic physicians employ their vast knowledge to aid in restoring optimal function to an entire physiologic or organ system. Modalities employed can include professional grade supplements, endocrine balancing, manual therapies, and more.
4. Address physical alignment
   If patients require the use of physical therapies, naturopathic physicians call on treatments like massage therapy, spinal manipulation, cranio-sacral therapy, and more to improve and maintain skeletal integrity.
5. Natural symptom relief
   While naturopathic physicians aim to restore heath by addressing the body as a whole and not just symptoms, there are instances where specific pathologies must be addressed and managed. In cases like these, naturopathic physicians utilize effective natural substances that are unlikely to cause toxic burden and can effectively relieve symptoms that cause suffering.
6. Synthetic symptom relief
   Naturopathic physicians aim to avoid this step, but if necessary, they may employ the use of synthetic or pharmaceutical substances to restrain or manage symptoms that impact a patient’s quality of life or safety.
7. High force interventions
   Sometimes it is necessary in the interest of patient health, comfort, and safety to suppress pathological symptoms prior to addressing underlying causal factors and ultimately restoring health.

Naturopathic medicine works to implement the most natural methods of healing, prioritizing the least toxic and invasive therapies as a means of treating the illness and promoting wellness. Through viewing the body as an integrated whole, naturopathic providers honor the body’s innate wisdom to heal and use principles to guide the way they treat.

• First Do No Harm
  This principle is core to naturopathic practice, where we approach care through utilizing the most natural, least invasive or toxic therapies.
• The Healing Power of Nature
  Naturopathic providers recognize the body’s inherent healing wisdom and work to harness that healing power to guide patients to wellness and total health.
• Identify and Treat the Causes
  This principle guides naturopathic physicians to not only address the reported symptoms, but to uncover the root cause and heal the body as an integrated whole.
• Doctor as Teacher
  Through an education and trust-based relationship, naturopathic providers seek to not only heal patients, but educate them by elevating patient health literacy and ensure patients are empowered with a better understanding of their wellness.
• Treat the Whole Person
  Naturopathic physicians understand how interconnected the body is, acknowledging that the restoration of balance and health comes through treating the body as a whole.
• Prevention
  Comprehensive naturopathic care employs all principles to identify potential areas of imbalance to prevent illness.

According to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc, the global complementary and alternative medicine market size is projected to reach USD 296.3 billion by 2027. With such incredible projected growth in the natural health industry, it seems there’s no better time to explore the expanding field of naturopathic medicine as a medical professional.

A good place to begin would be by asking yourself the following questions:

• Do you realize that there is more to medicine than drugs and surgery?
• Are you passionate about holistic health and treating the whole person (mind, body, spirit)?
• Do you want to help others take their health into their own hands?

If the answer is yes, we are here to help you start your journey! Speak with an advisor today.

When it comes to practicing naturopathic medicine, Arizona has one of the widest scopes of practice in the country (if not the widest), which also allows our program to be very comprehensive. Our students benefit from an in-depth learning experience with a variety of patient experiences, from local community clinics to our very own medical centers situated right on campus. Both our Medical Center and Neil Riordan Center for Regenerative Medicine provide unique and valuable learning experiences to students, including clinic rotations and extra mentorships through our honors program. And as an ND in Arizona, you will be able to practice acupuncture, IV therapy, physical medicine, minor surgery, and so much more. ^[1]

Arizonans are a friendly bunch, and even though Phoenix is a big city, the people are generally relaxed, warm, and open to new ideas. There is a vibrant, multi-cultural environment inPhoenix, with many outdoor cultural, music and food festivals held throughout the year. This laid-back atmosphere and friendly environment allow for a medical school experience that is perhaps a little less stressful and a bit more fun. And with our campus located just a few miles from Arizona State University, it provides a great higher learning environment, rich with opportunities for collaboration and partnership. ^[4]

With nearly 300 days of sunshine per year, Phoenix is an outdoor lover’s mecca. The Valley of the Sun is surrounded by mountains, making it a great area for hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking (yes, we even have rivers and lakes). As a busy medical school student, thatvitamin D is so important! And although the summers can be hot, the rest of the year is gorgeous. While much of the country is shoveling snow, our students are hiking Camelback Mountain or having a picnic at one of our beautiful city parks. ^[4]