Not long ago, naturopathy was considered only an extreme option for the desperate. Today, more people than ever are seeking help through naturopathic medicine either to supplement or replace their primary healthcare. As a result, many people wonder what the difference is between naturopathic and conventional medicine.
There is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding surrounding our assumptions about natural healthcare. We might picture conventional medicine as a clean laboratory with test tubes and lab coats – where facts and science rule. Naturopathy, by contrast, seems like a trippy exploration of new-age spirituality and six kinds of weirdness.
But modern natural medicine is just as scientifically based as conventional medicine.
What’s The Difference?
The difference lies in our focus and goals. Modern conventional medicine is heavily tied down by health insurance policies, regulations, and pharmaceutical drugs. Health and healing exist for the sake of ticking boxes, rather than the other way around.
On the other hand, naturopathic doctors are free to focus their passion and energies on real healing.
A Brief History
Did you know that many naturopathic traditions have been around for centuries? Conventional medicine, as we understand it today, is a relatively recent practice. While there were indeed plenty of methods that were better left in the past, much of classical medicine revolved around enabling the body to heal itself. Just as our bodies can heal from a cut or a broken leg, they can also heal internally.
Historically, healthcare often focused on diet, lifestyle, and natural treatments. 19-century thinker Henry Lindlahr (1862 - 1924), an expert in natural medicine, summed it up nicely:
“People are beginning to realize that it is cheaper and more advantageous to prevent disease rather than to cure it.”
But in the mid-20th century, standard medical practices drastically changed. Some changes were good… but not all. As a result, we find ourselves in a modern health crisis – people are desperate and have increasingly turned to natural medicine for help.
What Distinguishes Modern Naturopathic Medicine?
HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE
Like Naturopathy, the term “holistic” often comes with baggage. Yet holistic medicine offers a simple, common-sense approach to the body.
Holistic health is a form of healthcare that considers the whole person, looking at every aspect of your body as interconnected parts that communicate with each other rather than separate entities.
Conversely, conventional medicine often focuses on treating specific symptoms or illnesses without looking at the underlying cause. For example, if you have a headache, your doctor may prescribe medication to treat the symptom, but they won't look at why you're having headaches in the first place. It’s like bringing your car to a mechanic and having them treat each part of the car separately instead of fixing the parts as a cohesive whole.
Holistic health addresses the root cause of an issue by taking into account the entire system.
“MIRACLE PILLS” VS REAL HEALING
In the mid-20th century, Western society developed a deeply optimistic view of fixing problems quickly and easily – including health issues. As a result, health care often became about popping pills rather than addressing root causes.
This shift in perspective was largely due to the influence of the pharmaceutical industry and the rise of modern medicine. Medicine often became a mere “product” enriching Big Pharma. The concept of true healing got lost in the process.
The truth is that real healing takes time and effort. While popping pills might seem like an easy solution in the short term, it often wreaks long-term havoc.
“Nature Cure is the fastest cure on record, because there is nothing else that does cure chronic diseases. … You just have the choice of two things: Either get cured by slow Nature Cure or keep your chronic disease until the undertaker finishes the job.”
–Henry Lindlahr
We Are Modernized and Better Than Ever.
While we still hold to our historical roots, naturopathic medicine today also benefits from the latest research and technology.
At Mountain View Vital Medicine, we offer the following services:
Lab testing
Food Intolerance Evaluations
Hormone Testing
Naturopathic manipulation
Activator Methods
Kinesio Taping
Trigger point injections
Ultrasound and hydrotherapy (the use of water)
The right vitamins and supplements for your specific needs
And much more!
Is Modern Naturopathy Right For You?
Modern Naturopathy is the way of the medical future. If you’re seeking genuine healing with a personalized approach, give us a call. At Mountain View Vital Medicine, we look forward to evaluating your needs and helping you take control of your health!