After attending a seminar about naturopathic medical schools I knew that I had found a profession that was meant for me! As a friend of mine might even say, it was KISMET!
Prior to attending the seminar, I wasn’t 100% certain as to whether I wanted to attend a traditional medical school or go into scientific research. However, what I did know was that I wanted to be in a career that allowed me to interact with others and more importantly have an impact on the lives of others! Naturopathic medicine is giving me the chance to do exactly that and more. Naturopathic medicine is based on six fundamental principles, which are:
- The Healing Power of Nature
- Identify and Treat the Causes
- First Do No Harm
- Doctor as Teacher
- Treat the Whole Person
- Prevention
Each one of these principles speaks to me in a different way, but there are two that resonate the most with me and they are finding and treating the cause and the healing power of nature. Our bodies are incredible creations that are capable of so much. If we provide them with the proper requirements they can heal themselves. Furthermore, naturopathic physicians are like detectives. They are searching for the reasons why a person is ill, why a person is having gas and bloating. This never-ending need to get the root cause of the problem a patient is experiencing is why I have grown so much in love with the field.
As a naturopathic student, I am learning how to make diagnose, determine differentials and think critically. Now that I have started my third year of medical school I have begun to learn the many modalities that will assist me in treating my future patients and their conditions. When I graduate as a naturopathic physician, I will have an abundance of skills and tools that I can use to find and treat the cause. Some of the tools that naturopathic doctors are taught and use to treat include:
- Hydrotherapy
- Lifestyle Modifications ( ex. diet and exercise)
- Botanical Medicine
- Homeopathy
- IV Therapy
- Oriental Medicine
- Physical Medicine
- Minor Surgery
At the end of the day, I have absolutely no regrets about entering into a profession that some may consider strange because I have seen firsthand the knowledge and skills that naturopathic doctors possess and I can’t wait to get out there and find and treat the cause!
Best in Health
