Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is a medical specialty that combines the wisdom of the past with the science of the present to deliver the medicine of the future, today.

Naturopathic Medicine is alternative, integrative and scientific natural medicine.

Naturopathic medical education is comparable to conventional medical education. A four year undergraduate degree is required for admittance to an accredited four year graduate level naturopathic medical school, leading to the degree of Naturopathic Medical Doctor (NMD).

The curriculum at naturopathic medical schools is similar to that offered at Johns Hopkins, Yale and Stanford.

Basic and Clinical Sciences: anatomy, physiology, cell biology, histology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, lab diagnosis, immunology, microbiology, neurosciences, physical diagnosis, genetics, bio-statistics, epidemiology, public health, history and philosophy, and ethics.

Clerkships and Allopathic Therapeutics: dermatology, family medicine, psychiatric medicine and counseling, radiology, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, neurology, surgery, pulmonology, cardiology, opthamology, rheumatology, endocrinology and clinical electives.

Naturopathic Therapeutics: botanical medicine, homeopathy, traditional chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, physical/manipulative therapy, ayurvedic medicine, acupuncture, clinical nutrition, detoxification, intravenous therapy, immunotherapy and naturopathic philosophy.

Naturopathic Medical Doctors receive over 250 hours of education in therapeutic and clinical nutrition while conventional medical doctors receive none.

There are six principles upon which the foundation of Naturopathic Medicine is built: 

• Vis Medicatrix Naturae (the healing power of nature). The body has considerable power to heal itself, and the role of Naturopathic Physician is to facilitate this natural process with the aid of natural, non-toxic therapies. 
• Tolle Causum (treat the cause). Naturopathic Physicians seek the underlying cause of a disease rather than simply suppressing the symptoms. We avoid suppression of the natural healing wisdom of the body, such as fever and inflammation. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body's natural attempt to heal while the causes can spring from the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.
• Primum Non Nocere (first do no harm). By employing safe and effective natural therapies, Naturopathic Physicians are committed to the principle of causing no harm to the patient.
• Tolle Totum (treat the whole person). Each individual is viewed as whole, comprised of a complex of  physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and other factors. This multifactorial philosophy results in a therapeutic approach in which no disease is automatically seen as incurable.
• Prevanarae (prevention is the best medicine). Naturopathic Physicians are preventive medicine specialists. Prevention of disease is accomplished through education and the promotion of a lifestyle that supports health.
• Docere' (doctor as teacher). Naturopathic Physicians are first and foremost teachers who educate, empower and motivate the patient to assume more personal responsibility for his or her health by adopting a healthy attitude, lifestyle and diet.  

Naturopathic physicians are the highest trained primary care physicians in integrative, natural and alternative medicine in the United States.

Naturopathic medicine as practiced by Dr. Eric R. Hampton and Dr. Melinda J. Whitsell at Westhampton Natural Medicine in Mesa, Arizona is the best choice for the natural prevention and treatment of the majority of health conditions afflicting the people of our country.