The American Naturopath's Association is dedicated to supporting and empowering - through our membership network - the many types of traditional naturopaths and students of natural medicine throughout the nation, while evolving the profession and serving the community through our Scope of Practice, continuing education, events, and activities.
STRONG MEMBERSHIP IS THE ENERGY WHICH ULTIMATELY SUPPORTS AND UNITES US ALL- JOIN ANA! And begin by putting that ANA Member Certificate proudly on your wall.
WHAT IS A NATUROPATH ?
Naturopathy is the oldest form of health care. It means, essentially, "to follow the path of nature"... in healing. And as such, naturopathy is directly based on observable scientific principles.
Terminology: The words "naturopathic" and "naturopath" are generic terms describing a process or person following the path of nature, generally in health care, but also in other reaches of life.
This term is our western equivalent of "ayurvedic". We do not, and encourage others not to buy into the false assumption that this term belongs to an elite few people- namely- the naturopathic medical practitioners. It is a term that we must share, if we wish to use it at all.
Naturopaths in our nation title themselves as traditional naturopath, naturopathic doctor, classical naturopath, naturopathic practitioner, among the more common titles- but they are ALL naturopaths.
American Naturopath's Association seeks to connect, support and protect our tradition, our scope of practice, and our future.
More and more people seek out naturopaths, herbalists trained in the human body and natural sciences, and other reputed natural healers prior to or in conjunction with medical advice, A growing number of people realize that with support and guidance in natural therapeutics, they will bring their body back into balance and avoid disease.
Primary care best describes this gravitation towards natural healers, naturopaths, herbalists, acupuncturists, and others who follow a very similar scope of practice. Primary care describes that which is the best first choice for many facing non-acute, non emergency health concerns and challenges.
Naturopaths do not practice allopathic medicine. Naturopaths do not "prescribe drugs, diagnose medical disease, claim to cure medical disease. Naturopaths demonstrate that by facilitating rejuvenation of the body using natural, drugless therapeutics, the body heals and rebalances using it's own vitality.
Naturopaths have a defined and varied scope of practice,
which is further detailed on this website -
see the Scope of Practice page on this site.
Naturopaths practice all over the world, and all over the country, using the designation ND- meaning naturopathic doctor or naturopath diploma, or both, depending on the State or region. Some may call themselves True or Traditional Naturopaths. The American Naturopathic Certificaton Board promotes the designation traditional naturopath, to honor the historical presence of naturopathy and naturopaths within the health care world.
Contrary to misinformation one may see on "naturopathic" physician web sites, we- true naturopaths- achieve many years of formal study, within a curriculum teaching classical naturopathy, and undergo supervised clinical internships. We pursue continuing education throughout our lives.
Many naturopaths also possess dual or triple certifications, and accomplishments in areas such as advanced herbal medicine, yoga teaching/therapy, midwifery, massage therapy, advanced bodywork therapies of many kinds, chiropractic licensure, and more. Others have continued to refine their practice and education through years of effort and experience. Natural healing expertise has served humankind well for millennia.... we carry on this tradition with professionalism in the modern world.
Naturopaths provide the non-allopathic and holistic lens of interpretation that a growing number of people continue to seek for their overall health care. And this certainly does not mean that naturopathy is devoid of Science- naturopathy is based on extremely observable scientific principles. We work in a complementary fashion with other choices of health care, such as Oriental medicine, acupuncture, allopathic (ie: conventional medical model), and Ayurvedic approaches. Naturopaths do not seek "permission" to practice, because we have been successfully practicing for decades all over the western world! We practice Naturopathy, not allopathic medicine.
"Naturopathic" physicians, by contrast, are trained in the medical model, with little to no time within their programs to learn the rationale and applications of classical traditional naturopathy. They may be poorly trained in western herbalism as applied to a holistic, inner ecology based framework.
They seek licensure (permission to practice) - yet , few states license them- and this "licensure" is more often a ploy to enact legislation to PREVENT many other types of natural healers from offering their own work! Often lacking in the training and direct experience of applied natural therapeutics, bodywork therapies, classical hydrotherapy, they may also rely heavily on expensive supplements designed to treat symptoms, not the whole person.
Our client feedback tells us that by seeing us instead, they are truly receiving the truly holistic perspective and approach they seek, including the results - rather than a version of the same old medical model, which many have already been dealing with for quite some time.
True Naturopaths are trained in the following areas of practice, discipline, and service:
Nutrition, Healing Diets, and Food Therapeutics, Healing programs,
Massage and Applied Bodywork Therapies
Naturopathic Physical Medicine
Energy Medicine/Energy Balancing Bodywork
Hydrotherapy
Iridology / Iris Analysis
Applied Natural Therapeutics and Treatments
Medicinal Herbal Practice
Botanical Applied Therapeutics
Herbal Pharmacy and Dispensary. Apothecary Practice
Natural Physician Assessment Methods
Community Education and Counseling
Holistic Anatomy and Physiology
Parasitology
Microbial Balancing of Inner Ecology
Eastern /Oriental Therapeutic Approaches
Flower Essences Creation and Practice
At times, and for continuing education - Naturopaths pursue study and expertise in Homeopathy, which is a medicinal therapy requiring specialized training to truly perform well and professionally. Continuing Education also includes refinement and deeper study in the above mentioned areas of study.
Many naturopaths have dual or even triple certifications, in additional important health care areas such as massage therapy, herbal study, yoga teaching, acupuncture, natural childbirth/doula, and more. Naturopaths pursue and promote continuing education throughout their lives, and serve as teachers and leaders in their communities.
We and many others think it is one of the best, in it's restoration of health, focus on rejuvenation, avoidance of toxic drugs and needless surgeries, and support of the body's healing forces through time honored natural means.
To a growing many, it is Primary Health Care.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Telephone: 734-274-0302
E Mail: choosenaturopathy@gmail.com
Mail: AMERICAN NATUROPATH'S ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 3599, ANN ARBOR MICHIGAN 48103
Working Advisory Team:
Carole Florence, Tricia Bellew, Gana Wilson
Director and Founder: Mary Light, ND MH LMT
Photos: We graciously thank Carole Florence as the photograher of the lovely botanical photographs, taken at Naturopathic School of the Healing Arts (Ann Arbor) medicine gardens, featured on this site.
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