There are three major differences. The first is training. The second is regulation. The third is treatment.
In regard to training, naturopathic doctors are generalists in alternative medicine. They receive at least 3-years pre-medical training at university, then 4-years at an accredited naturopathic college. They are primary care physicians using a variety of therapies and modalities according to each patient's need.
In BC and many other provinces and US states naturopathic medicine is regulated just as MDs, nurses, chiropractors and other health professionals are licensed and regulated. At present, homeopathy is not a licensed or regulated health profession in BC. In one sense, only NDs are licensed to practice homeopathy.
Another difference is treatment. A homeopath would only prescribe a homeopathic medicine. An ND may use botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, physical medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, or any combination to treat a patient.
Homeopathy is a distinct system of alternative medicine. A homeopath specializes in the modality of homeopathy and usually has over 600 hours training in homeopathy. Often homeopaths have training in adjunctive therapeutics that compliment the homeopathic process. For example I often use Gemmotherapy and biochemical cell salts.
In the US homeopaths are not licensed and they practice under the guidelines of the state where they practice. As an homeopath in California, I conduct my practice in accordance with Sections 2053.5 and 2053.6 of the State of California Business and Professions Code that was provided for by 2002 SB 577, commonly known as the Alternative Health Care Freedom Act.
A licensed practitioner can practice homeopathy without training or certification. Naturopaths often have little to no training in homeopathy. There are, however, naturopaths, as well as acupuncturists, MDs, etc., who have extensive training in homeopathy. They are very good at what they do.
When looking for a homeopath or any practitioner it is always a good idea to check their training, certification, and expertise.
For more information please visit the following websites: National Center for Homeopathy (www.nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org), the North American Society of Homeopaths (www.homeopathy.org).
Homeopathy is one tool in the huge toolbox of Naturopathic Medicine. Not all Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) use homeopathy. I am a ND, and I never recommend it myself. I'll explain why below.
Homeopathy is the practice of using highly diluted quantities of various substances that in high doses can cause the symptoms the the homeopathic remedy supposedly alleviates. It was thought up in the time that European doctors were still using leaches and blood letting as primary "healing" methods.
How diluted are we talking about? In most homeopathic remedies, there is not a SINGLE molecule of the original substance left in the sugar pill. If in fact, homeopathy has any effect beyond the placebo effect, science has definitely not caught up to how this actually happens.
Proponents of homeopathy say that the powerful "energetic signature" of the original substance not only remains through the dilutions, but that it even gets stronger the more you dilute it. If this were true, one would have to be careful about taking too LITTLE of a homeopathic remedy. Maybe someday science will back this extraordinary claim up, but for the record, that's where the homeopathic camp lost my vote, completely.
1 month ago
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