What is naturopathic medicine and how can it help?

Naturopathic medicine has been practiced for centuries in Europe and the United States. As a system of medicine, it is based on the belief that the body has an innate healing ability. Naturopathy finds ways to support the body so that it can heal itself.  For example, we all develop cancerous cells on a daily basis —estimates range from 500–1000 cells per day. This is a normal process, and we rely on our immune systems to get rid of these cells regularly. It is the loss of our immune system’s ability to eliminate these cells that leads to a cancer that is large enough to be diagnosed.

 Conventional, or allopathic medicine (allo means opposite), will use therapies that oppose the problem. Meaning, if you have a bacterial infection, then antibiotics will be prescribed. If you have a fever, then antipyretics will be prescribed. And if you have cancer, then anticancer therapies such as surgery, chemo, or radiation—things that will destroy cancer cells—will be prescribed.

 Most cancer patients will choose some form of conventional care as part of their treatment regimen. The benefit of including naturopathic care is that not only does the body receive anticancer medicine, it also receives pro-body medicine. This treatment can enhance the immune system, improve elimination and detoxification (and thus side effects from chemo and radiation), and help the body heal from surgery.

After patients undergo treatment and cancer can no longer be found, their oncologists will move them to watchful waiting status. A patient will be asked to come back on a regular basis for imaging and/or blood work to keep a close eye on his or her body and make sure that any recurrence of cancer can be caught quickly. Conventional treatment often does not continue during this phase. This is a great time to continue working with a naturopath to ensure that the body is functioning at its very best and reduce the risk for recurrence.

 What is a naturopathic doctor?

A naturopathic doctor (ND) completes both a pre-medical undergraduate degree as well as a four-year degree at an accredited naturopathic medical college. There are currently four naturopathic colleges in the US that are accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education, a specialized accreditor recognized by the US Department of Education.

 The first two years of education are like those of a conventional medical doctor (MD): the majority of classes consist of basic sciences such as anatomy, cellular biology, microbiology, pathology, etc. The additional two to four years consist of specialized academic courses including cardiology, EENT (Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat), gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, etc. as well as courses in naturopathic therapeutics like herbal medicine, homeopathy, body work, spinal manipulation, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, clinical nutrition, and counseling. After graduation, NDs must pass national board examination to become licensed.

 What happens in an appointment?

The first visit to a naturopath is typically 1–2 hours long. A detailed history will be taken not only of your cancer, but of how all the systems in your body function. Your naturopath will want to know about all of you, not just your disease. Follow-up visits will vary from practitioner to practitioner, but are often 30–45 minutes once a month, potentially more often if hands-on support is needed during conventional care.

Number and length of appointments?

The relationship with a naturopath is often a long-term relationship that outlasts the course of conventional treatment. While the first stage of work that’s done with your naturopath is often about reducing the side effects of conventional care, the real work often begins after your oncologist gives you a clean bill of health. As mentioned above, there’s a lot of work to do to truly optimize your health after a cancer has been removed and ensure that it doesn’t return.