What Is Naturopathy?

Comparison To Traditional Medicine

The comparison between naturopathy and traditional medicine is disputed among the medical and naturopathic communities and their practitioners. It costs money to see both types of practitioners, and medical insurance rarely covers naturopathy. Although the topic is controversial, it is clear naturopathy focuses on using natural and self-healing forms of treatment with priority over forms of treatment that involve medications and medical procedures to treat a patient. In other words, they are not against using traditional forms of treatment, but they believe in trying naturopathic methods first. This principle is called the therapeutic order, where the safest and most natural treatments available are given priority. Traditional medicine tends to give more urgency to treatments that involve the use of medical procedures and medications if it is clear based on the physician's medical training and expertise, that changes in lifestyle and diet cannot independently treat the patient's illness. Traditional medicine takes a weighted approach when choosing how to treat patients, considering the safety of treatment while also giving great consideration to its efficacy by weighing out the risks and benefits of a treatment. Both traditional medicine and naturopathy draw from scientific ideas, so the comparison between the two ultimately comes down to a patient's personal preference and beliefs.

Keep reading to uncover the benefits of naturopathy next.