The topic of healthcare choice and licensing in natural medicine is currently a concern for both technical and regulatory reasons. Legislative reforms can affect the provision of healthcare, insurance coverage, and the availability of treatments. However, recent developments in licensing natural health practitioners require special attention. Doctors of Traditional Natural Medicine respect the boundaries in healthcare and do not condone the practice of "medicalized naturopaths," who are actually allopaths practicing under the guise of natural medicine.
Advocates of natural medicine oppose licensing modern naturopathic physicians (NPs) and dietitians because it may detract from the quality and affordability of healthcare. Modern NPs mix naturopathic and allopathic medicine without sufficient training, and dietitians do not have enough education in holistic nutrition. Traditional naturopaths and holistic nutrition counselors emphasize healthy lifestyle choices and wellness care instead of diagnostic care, which is advocated by modern NPs and physicians. Licensing these professionals may limit consumer access to traditional natural medicine consultants and personal choices such as macrobiotic foods, vegetarianism, organic and whole foods diets, and Ayurvedic nutrition.
It is in the public interest to clarify the standards of training of natural health professionals and their commitment to a philosophy of natural healing. Licensing may distort the practice and philosophy of true natural healing and increase the cost of consultation and natural substances to that of conventional medical pricing. Without clear advocacy, licensing can make the practices of traditional natural medicine and holistic nutritional counseling illegal. The BDNMP-NA continues to advocate on behalf of Doctors and Practitioners of Natural Medicine.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MODERN NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE AND TRADITIONAL NATURAL MEDICINE
To distinguish between Modern Naturopathic Medicine and Traditional Natural Medicine, one must understand their approaches to health and wellness. Natural Medicine encompasses practitioners who do not engage in diagnosing, prognosing, or treating diseases. The fundamental philosophy of Traditional Natural Medicine is based on the belief that imbalances or disequilibrium lead to poor health, and the body's symptoms are its attempt to restore balance. Traditional Natural Medicine practitioners focus on guiding clients towards wellness through various methods.
On the other hand, Modern Naturopathic Medicine is a specific subset of Natural Medicine that emphasizes the use of natural remedies and therapies for treatment, but it may also incorporate allopathic protocols.
Members of this organization are also recognized as Traditional Natural Medicine Practitioners since they fall under the broader category of Natural Medicine. Those with a doctorate (Ph.D.-DNM) in Natural Medicine can use the designation "DNM" as a suffix after their educational degree. It is important to note that Traditional Natural Medicine Doctors and Practitioners should not be confused with Naturopaths, who use the designation "Naturopathic Doctor" (ND).
OUR STANCE
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
The true origin of the name "Naturopath" is uncertain and controversial. It is believed to have been coined from "nature" and "homeopathy," which were systems of healing used by Naturopaths. However, some early practitioners objected to the name because it translates to "natural disease." Nonetheless, it is credited with helping end the persecution of Naturopaths.
Due to intense persecution, Naturopaths were unable to use terms like "cure," "healing," or "doctor." Thus, they adopted the term "Naturopath" as a safe alternative to describe their practice of "the nature cure" and disease. The term "doctor" originated in 1303 and refers to a teacher or one who shows and teaches. It was commonly used to refer to medical professionals from the late 16th century. As such, the title cannot be exclusively claimed by any one group.
In 1998, a group of natural medicine practitioners reclaimed their rights to traditional natural medicine by adopting the title "DNM-Doctors of Natural Medicine" or "Doctorate of Natural Medicine" (PhD-DNM). This title honors Dr. Lust's original intentions and upholds the principles of traditional natural medicine, preserving it for future generations.
Advocates of natural medicine oppose licensing modern naturopathic physicians (NPs) and dietitians because it may detract from the quality and affordability of healthcare. Modern NPs mix naturopathic and allopathic medicine without sufficient training, and dietitians do not have enough education in holistic nutrition. Traditional naturopaths and holistic nutrition counselors emphasize healthy lifestyle choices and wellness care instead of diagnostic care, which is advocated by modern NPs and physicians. Licensing these professionals may limit consumer access to traditional natural medicine consultants and personal choices such as macrobiotic foods, vegetarianism, organic and whole foods diets, and Ayurvedic nutrition.
It is in the public interest to clarify the standards of training of natural health professionals and their commitment to a philosophy of natural healing. Licensing may distort the practice and philosophy of true natural healing and increase the cost of consultation and natural substances to that of conventional medical pricing. Without clear advocacy, licensing can make the practices of traditional natural medicine and holistic nutritional counseling illegal. The BDNMP-NA continues to advocate on behalf of Doctors and Practitioners of Natural Medicine.
NATURAL MEDICINE IN ONTARIO
The Natural Medicine profession is constantly concerned about the changing regulations in health care. Several years ago, the Ontario government aimed to improve public safety in health care by exploring the regulation of natural healing. However, the Health System Improvements Act, 2007 (formerly Bill 171), which established new colleges in Naturopathy and Homeopathy, grants pre-eminence to Ontario Naturopaths and excludes other highly educated and qualified Natural Health Practitioners. The Natural Medicine Practitioner Association of Ontario, a subgroup of the Natural Medicine Certification Council (Canada), is striving to restore balance and ensure public choice and the maintenance of the public interest by considering the contributions of all Natural Health Practitioners.
The new Ontario legislation exclusively assigns titles and scopes of practice that are currently shared by other overlapping long-standing groups of Natural Health Practitioners and their various modalities. However, through a letter-writing campaign, the NMPAO made the legislature aware of the efficacy and degree of popularity of their treatments, as well as the rigour of their training. They have grown to well over 1000 registered practicing Natural Health Practitioners in Ontario, who have been working safely with a large percentage of the public.
DNMs and RNPs do not diagnose or treat disease, dispense drugs, or perform surgeries as set out in the legislation for modern "Naturopathic Doctors." The public must be protected from groups seeking protection for a medical scope of practice as "Modern Naturopaths." Additionally, the legislature was asked to eliminate all provisions for exclusivity for remedies under the Natural Health Product Act from the Modern Naturopath's scope of practice. In the view of BNMDP-NA, appropriate regulation would protect the public from "Naturopaths" seeking a "Medical" scope of practice without actual medical training.
This new legislation restricts the right to practice as a Doctor of Natural Medicine or Practitioner of Natural Medicine and challenges their right to fair trade in the marketplace. Appropriate regulation would aim to safeguard unregulated health professions and modalities, ensuring their healthy co-existence and rights to practice until such time that they can be considered for their contribution to the health care system and systematically integrated.