Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is also known as naturopathy.  The naturopathic medical profession is over 124 years old and licensure of naturopathic physicians (naturopaths) has been around for over 100 years, since 1919, in the state of Washington.  Some naturopathic medical practice acts in the USA, its territories, and the District of Columbia regulate the practice of “naturopathic medicine” and others regulate the practice of “naturopathy,” simply depending on how the practice acts were written into law.

Naturopathic Medicine (Naturopathy)1

Naturopathic medicine (naturopathy) is a distinct branch of medicine that encompasses modern, traditional, scientific, and empirical methods of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention; is based on the principles of primum non nocere (first do no harm), vis medicatrix naturae (the healing power of nature), tolle causum (treat the whole cause) tolle totum (treat the whole person), docere (doctor as teacher), praevenire (prevention), and salus (wellness); and emphasizes the inherent self-healing capacity of each person.  Naturopathic medicine (naturopathy) is a medical specialty.

A Brief History of Naturopathic Medicine (Naturopathy) in the USA, Including its Relation to Other Areas of Medicine2

In 1765, John Morgan, MD, founded the first allopathic medical school in the USA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, associated with the “College, Academy, and Charity School of Philadelphia” (known today as the “University of Pennsylvania”), and called it “Medical School”.  It is still open today as the oldest allopathic medical school in the USA and is known as the “Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania”.  Initially, the school offered a Bachelor of Medicine (MB) degree and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree.  In 1768, on June 21, ten medical students received MB degrees.  In 1771, four of the ten inaugural MB students received MD degrees.  In 1792, on March 1, the MB degree was abolished.

In 1844, the “American Institute of Homeopathy” (“AIH”) was formed.  It is still in existence today as the oldest national physicians’ organization in the USA.

In 1847, on the evening of May 7, delegates at the national medical convention at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania approved a resolution to establish the “American Medical Association” (“AMA”).  At the meeting, the first code of medical ethics was adopted and the first nationwide standards for preliminary medical education and the degree of “MD” were established.

In 1874, Andrew Taylor Still, MD, developed osteopathic philosophy.  Dr. Still is known as the founder of osteopathic medicine and referred to as the “Father of Osteopathy”.

In 1892, Andrew Taylor Still, MD, founded the first osteopathic medical school in the USA in Kirksville, Missouri – the “American School of Osteopathy” (“ASO”).  The school offered a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.  It is still open today as the oldest osteopathic medical school in the USA and is known as “A.T. Still University” (“ATSU”).  Today, the school offers a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.

In 1895, John H. Scheel developed the term “naturopathy”.

In 1896, the “American Naturopathic Society” (“ANS”) was established and later changed its name to the “American Naturopathic Association” (“ANA”).  Vermont became the first state to license osteopathic physicians to practice osteopathy.

In 1897, the “American Association for the Advancement of Osteopathy” was established.

In 1901, the “American Association for the Advancement of Osteopathy” changed its name to the “American Osteopathic Association” (“AOA”).

In 1901, Benedict Lust, MD, DO, DC, founded the first naturopathic medical school in the USA in New York – the “American School of Naturopathy”.  Dr. Lust is known as the founder of naturopathic medicine and referred to as the “Father of Naturopathy”.  The school offered a Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) degree.

In 1947, on September 17, the “World Medical Association” (“WMA”) was established.

In 1956, the naturopathic medical school “National College of Naturopathic Medicine” (“NCNM”) was founded.  The school offered a Doctor of Naturopathy (ND) degree.  It is still open today as the oldest naturopathic medical school in the USA and is known as “National University of Natural Medicine” (“NUNM”).  Today, the school offers a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (NMD) degree.

In 1982, the “American Naturopathic Association” (“ANA”) was dissolved in preparation for establishment of the “American Association of Naturopathic Physicians” (“AANP”) with a new organizational structure.

In 1985, the “American Association of Naturopathic Physicians” (“AANP”) was established.

In 1989, Nebraska passed legislation that licensed osteopathic physicians to practice osteopathic medicine to the full scope of their training.  With the passing of the legislation in Nebraska, the practice of osteopathic medicine was recognized as equivalent to the practice of allopathic medicine in all 50 states in the USA.

In 2004, in December, the “Osteopathic International Alliance” (“OIA”) was established.

In 2014, the “World Naturopathic Federation” (“WNF”) was established.

REFERENCES

  1. Naturopathic Medicine

  2. A Brief History of Naturopathic Medicine in the USA, Including its Relation to Other Areas of Medicine