My Career Profession: Naturopathic Medicine

First of all, I would like to convey my gratitude to selection committee for giving me a chance to study Naturopathic Medicine at CCNM.I am extremely happy to join your program and excel in a career in naturopathic medicine at your school. The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine attracted to me because it is well reputed for naturopathic medicine in North America and it's patient centered approach of teaching while incorporating traditional and modern approaches to health. My expectation is to use my medical knowledge in allopathic medicine to diagnose and understand the disease pathophysiology and use natural treatment option to foster prevention and wellness.

Steve Jobs tried alternative medicine after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer before changing to conventional medicine until he died in 2011 (Williams, 2012, 90). Alternative medicine is defined as “a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered part of conventional medicine”(NCCAM, 2011, 92). Moreover, people have known about alternative medicine for many years and some prefer it to conventional medicine. Thus, insurance companies should cover alternative medicine for two important reasons.

Many traditional Native medicines and healing practices were discouraged with the advent of Western medicine, but now there is a movement to return to traditional ways (Zubek, 1994, p. 1924). Modern Western medicine treats the symptoms to cure a diseased state when the body is out of homeostasis. Native American healing traditions do this as well with herbs and plants suited to the purpose. These Native healing traditions also include sacred rituals, chants, and purification rites to help bring the spirit and mind of the afflicted back into balance. In effect, treating the whole person, not only the disease. A blending of these two healing practices could bring about better prognoses for today's patients. The purpose of this paper is

Throughout the years there have been two traditions within the practice of medicine. One is the 'art of healing ' which involves its own specialised brand of training. The art of healing is dependent on the prescriber 's foreknowledge and the clients’ viewpoint of the prosperous results. The 'Science of healing ' is based on scientific and technological ideas. This tradition results in a lower liability for practitioners regarding the showing of an original approach to medicine, however the results of this method are more calculable (Kayne 2002). It is believed that the tradition of the ‘art of healing’ is increasing in popularity. The World Health Organisation states ' 'that the terms ' 'complementary medicine ' ' or ' 'alternative medicine’ ' are used interchangeably with traditional medicine in some countries. They refer to a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country 's own tradition and are not integrated into the dominant health care system” (World Health Organization 2000). This type of treatment, is commonly known as ‘Complementary and alternative medicine’ (CAM). The word complementary derives from the meaning ‘together with’ established practices and the word alternative refers to ‘in place’ of established practices. Some patients choose to participate in complementary therapies along with the medication prescribed by their general practitioner whilst others prefer complementary therapies as opposed to the medications

It could be considered that conventional medicine has indirectly contributed to the rise of complementary and alternative medicine. A broad definition of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is “a broad set of health care practices that are not part of that country’s own tradition or conventional medicine and are not fully integrated into the dominant health-care system” (The World Health Organisation, n.d.). Expanding on this definition it is important to address the variable similarities of CAM modalities. CAM therapies across the various modalities have in common a shared, in varying degrees, holistic approach and subscribe to some form of vitality - a contrast from the science-based view point of conventional medicine prevalent in western society. In spite of CAM therapies empirical nature and efficacies, it is suggested that dissatisfaction of conventional medicine underpins the popularity it has garnered, thus, it will be examined further as to how and why. A further discussion will be made to related dangers of both alternative and science-based medicine; providing an opportunity to constructively educate the public on the differences between the two systems.

An increasing number of medical schools are now offering courses in alternative medicine for their students, and some hospitals already have alternative medicine departments. The availability of healers and doctors practicing holistic medicine has also increased in recent years, and more and more people are educating themselves in these new fields. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that between 65 and 80 percent of the world’s population (about 3 billion people) rely on traditional medicine as their primary form of health care.

Upon entering the Alternative Medicine degree program at Everglades University I did not know what I was going to do with the degree. I did know, however, that I wanted to understand the concepts of alternative healing methods better because I had just experienced the death of my grandfather from a diabetic induced disease while I had stood idly by—with nothing I could do to help. I also understood that I wanted to learn more about the subject that I had become quite passionate about through my own 100-pound weight loss journey—nutrition. Little did I know that this decision would not only further spark my passion, but

As a tree grows it forms branches and those branches sprout more helping the tree mature by reaching to catch sunlight, growing taller and stronger this tree will bare good fruit. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is one of the twenty seven institutes/ centers that make up the National Institutes of Health. Keeping the theme of the NIH, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine also keeps research goals and objectives specifically to “enable better evidence-based decision making regarding complementary and alternative medicine use and its integration into health care and health promotion.” (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

Through the enthusiasm of alternative medicine by patients, the health and social care sector comes across to:” ethical issues of efficacy, training, competence and patient safety, “according to (Nursing times ,2005). Therefore, it is important to understand the principles behind complementary therapies and their usage.

For the scholarly article review, I chose “Integrating Naturopathy: Can We Move Forward?” from The Permanente Journal. The focus of the article addresses why the integrative role of naturopathy, given the growing demand from patients for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), has yet to be well integrated into the conventional continuum of care. The article discusses the benefits naturopathic medicine delivers, various obstacles that interfere with the success of its integration, and suggests improved communication between physicians to enhance its application in the conventional care framework.

There are several reasons why I have decided to pursue a career in Naturopathic medicine. First and foremost I want to help people. Septic arthritis in my hip at the age 9 months has led to a lifetime of being constantly involved in many disciplines of the healthcare system. And while medical doctors and surgeons have provided me with the ability to walk and lead a normal life, it was naturopathic and chiropractic doctors that really helped me overcome my overall health concerns. I owe a lot to naturopathic medicine and ultimately wish to become a naturopathic doctor so that I can help other people in ways that I was helped myself. I know that my passion lies within medicine, but the ‘10 minute appointment followed by a prescription’ kind of healthcare does not appeal to me.

In this essay a critical assessment of the view that ‘patients use of complementary and alternative medicine, can be understood as part of the individualisation of responsibility for health’ will be made and argued, that there are many aspects which influence the uptake of such therapies. Responsibility for health has changed and this will be discussed by examples of sociological

Although "Alternative" or "Complementary" medicine has been kept on the fringes of the medical sciences in the past, it is becoming increasingly more popular, and more reputable. Alternative medicines are those medical systems which are not taught to or practiced by most conventional medical doctors. Alternative medicines seemingly have always existed, changing and conforming to the current climate of society. There seems to be an almost endless number of alternative medicines, each with their own method of gaining perfect health. Often people who are dissatisfied with conventional medicine turn to alternative medicine for their medical needs. Many similarities link the diverse extremities of alternative medicine.

These therapies have proved to be of much benefit in supporting the normal healing course of the body. Even though there are many modern alternative remedies, with different beliefs, all of them operate under some common principles. One of these principles is that the body has the capacity to heal naturally and maintain stability (Paquette, 2000). The other one is that adverse health conditions can occur as a result of factors emanating from mind, emotions and the body. Alternative medicine, according to Goldberg, Trivieri and Anderson, (2002), focuses on determining the chief cause of a particular condition, and dealing with the whole person rather that concentrating on symptoms. If a person pays close attention to his/her health he/she can contribute to his/her wellbeing. Alternative medicine holds firmly to the principle that one treatment cannot be used for all people even though they may be suffering from the same condition. Each and every person as per alternative medicine has distinct bodily, mind and spiritual make up (Goldberg, Trivieri and Anderson, 2002).

It encompasses diet, nutritional medicine, therapies and self-care regimes to attain healing (Young, 2007). Naturopathy has six principles: 1. The healing power of nature (vis medicatrix naturae) – Naturopaths identify and remove obstacles to cure to ensure that the body can heal itself and maintain health. 2. First do no harm (primum no nocere) – Naturopaths use natural substances to prevent suppression of symptoms which leads to harm and a blockage to cure and health. 3. Identify and treat the cause (tolle causam) – Naturopaths look for the cause of the disease and don’t just treat the symptoms. 4. The physician as teacher (docere) – Naturopaths advise and encourage their patients to take control of their own health and also see each patient visit as an opportunity for learning. 5. Treat the whole person (in perturbato animo sicut in corpore sanitas esse non potest) – Naturopaths treat the whole person, from their internal environment such as the physical, mental and emotional, to their external environment which includes social factors. 6. Prevention (principiis obsta: sero medicina curator) – Naturopaths focus on preventing disease by determining risk factors and assisting their patients to make healthy lifestyle choices (Bodhiclinic.com, 2018; Young,