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About Naturopathy What Is Naturopathy? Is Naturopathy Right for Me? How Do I Choose?

Glossary Treatment Applications Types of Naturopathy Credentials

Types of Naturopathy
Diet and lifestyle changes are designed to treat the cause and not the effect of disease. Since food contains many of the natural nutrients needed to heal the body, diet can be adjusted to improve such body functions as digestion and excretion. To improve a patient's physical, mental, and emotional health, a naturopath may suggest abstaining from fast food, increasing exercise, or managing anger.

Physical medicine uses physical techniques, such as massage, exercise, ultrasound, water, heat, and gentle electrical pulses to stimulate, rejuvenate, and heal the body. Physical medicine also includes hydrotherapy, the use of water to improve circulation, relieve pain, and flush waste from the body, through such techniques as heated water, cold baths, whirlpools, steam rooms and water jets.

Because naturopaths believe the body can heal itself, organic chemicals found in nutritional supplements can work together with the body's natural chemicals to improve functions such as immunity. Naturopaths may prescribe nutritional supplements and herbs to treat conditions ranging from ear infections to cancer.

Botanical Medicine is the use of plants for medicinal purposes. Plant extracts have the power to treat many symptoms with minimal risk of side effects. They can also be used preventatively.