Naturopathic medicine as a complementary and alternative health system

Complementary and Alternative Medicines (CAM) Systems

Complementary and alternative medicine systems are health care approaches that are characterized by a history of use or origins that are external to mainstream medicine or health care practices. These health care systems or approaches have lasted for centuries since different kinds of complementary and alternative medicines have been reported. According to the World Health Organization, different types of complementary and alternative medicines have acted as the basic health practice in developing countries and are increasingly used in countries with predominant conventional medicine (Kramlich, 2014, p.50). CAM therapies have become common in the recent past and are used for treating various conditions including chronic pain conditions. Actually, several CAM therapies and practice interventions such as acupuncture and massage therapy are increasingly used in chronic pain management.

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine, which is also known as naturopathy or alternative medicine, is a term that is used to refer to a unique system of primary health care that focuses on the use of non-conventional or natural therapies and self-healing process to prevent and treat diseases. Generally, this unique health care profession or system combines the various aspects of modern science with the wisdom of nature to help in treatment of diseases. This combination is based on the premise that the wisdom of nature and knowledge of modern medicine is the most appropriate and effective healer. Naturopathic health systems and initiatives emphasize identifying the root causes of disease and integration of scientific, traditional, and empirical health practices to help in treating several conditions.

The history of naturopathic medicine can be traced back to 1892 when the term was first coined to refer to a rapidly developing system of natural or traditional therapies. These therapies were initially developed because of the widespread disillusionment of doctors and patients with ineffective and toxic techniques of the emerging heroic age of medicine. Practitioners from various medical disciplines combined in the 1800s to develop the first naturopathic professional societies. The formation of the first naturopathic professional societies in the 1800s played a major role in the development of this distinct primary health care system since the societies facilitated the development of over 20 naturopathic medical colleges by the beginning of the 20th Century. In addition to the emergence of naturopathic medical colleges, several naturopathic physicians were licensed in various states whereas naturopathic medical conventions attracted a huge number of practitioners i.e. more than 10,000 ("History of Naturopathic Medicine," n.d.).

The other historical event that shaped naturopathic practice occurred in mid-1800s when it first became a unique medical profession in Germany. Naturopathic became a distinct profession in Germany based on philosophies and therapeutic measures derived from Hippocrates and the indigenous and traditional medicines across the globe. Naturopathic medicine was introduced in the United States in 1896 by Dr. Benedict Lust through the establishment of Yungborn Health Institute in New Jersey, which was the first naturopathic college in the country. Since then, this profession has experienced tremendous growth and resulted in the existence of two differing views of medicine. Currently, naturopathic medical practitioners combine contemporary therapeutic procedures and research with ancient and conventional medicines and treatment procedures.

Naturopathic medicine is based on six major protocols or principles that distinguish it from modern therapeutic procedures and research. The first protocol of naturopathic medicine is nature's healing power based on the belief that the body has an intrinsic capability to establish, sustain, and restore health. The second protocol is identification and treating the cause since diseases or illnesses do not develop without a cause, which needs to be identified, treated or removed in order for a patient to recover fully. The third protocol is do no harm, which implies that therapeutic interventions and measures must complement the healing process that usually generates symptoms. Fourth, naturopathic medicine is based on the protocol of treating the whole person given that diseases and health are situations of the entire organism that is characterized by complex spiritual, genetic, mental, physical, social, and environmental interactions. The fifth protocol is the physician as teacher in which the physician is required to use measures that create positive interpersonal relationship with the patient rather than simply providing an accurate diagnosis and suitable prescription. The final protocol is prevention, which is the eventual objective of naturopathic medicine that is realized through education and fostering healthy lifestyle habits.

Potential Cultural Challenges

Since inception, contemporary and alternative medicine has emerged as an important part of the modern health care system, especially for critical and acute care nurses. The significance of naturopathy in acute and critical care is because of the rapid changes in the demographics of patients in this care setting due increased life expectancy and immigration. However, the use of contemporary and alternative medicine has some potential cultural challenges that are faced by the afflicted patient population and naturopathic physician and practitioner. These potential cultural challenges by the patient population and practitioner may delay access to contemporary care and lessen medical compliance, which could generate catastrophic results or outcomes.

One of the potential cultural challenges surrounding the use of complementary and alternative medicine is differences in cultural beliefs regarding health and illness. The differences in cultural beliefs about health and illness can act as an obstacle to access to modern health care and lessen medical compliance. This is a major potential cultural challenge because different population groups have different beliefs regarding various issues such as heath and illness. An example of this cultural challenge is the belief by Latino and Asian immigrants that illness or disease is a by-product of imbalances in several energies, which makes them to seek folk healers to address health issues. The second potential cultural challenge is the tendency by younger patient populations to belief modern medicine only while ignoring traditional methods. This makes it difficult for practitioners to combine conventional Western medicine with naturopathic medicine for effective treatment. On the other hand, patient populations experience difficulties in obtaining effective treatment of their health issues when the treatment process requires the use of complementary and alternative medicine.

The third potential cultural challenge is the belief on complementary and alternative medicine by some patient populations that are not willing to accept modern medicine. In some cases, dependence on naturopathic treatments may not be effective to deal with certain health issues and enhances the risk of patients to be admitted in intensive care units. Patient populations who dismiss modern medicine and completely depend on complementary and alternative medicine have minimal understanding of the probable adverse impacts they place on themselves by increasing the severity of the illness.

Questions by Patients or Health Care Providers about Naturopathy

While the use of complementary and alternative medicine is increasingly recognized and has become an important element in today's health care system, some patients and other health care providers have certain questions regarding naturopathy. These questions are not only brought by differences in cultural beliefs and practices but also attributed to concerns regarding the effectiveness of drug-free treatments. Some examples of these questions include are complementary and alternative medicine treatments safe and effective? Do naturopathic therapies enhance the health and well-being of patients? Is naturopathy a substitute of modern medicine or can it be used in combination with conventional Western medicine? Are there dangers in combining naturopathic therapies with modern medicine? What is the difference between naturopathy and contemporary medical practices and treatments? Does naturopathic medicine completely relieve or treat any kind of chronic pain?

An example of a chronic pain condition in which the use of naturopathic health care practices may generate such questions is low-back pain. Chronic low-back pain is one of the most common chronic pain conditions in the modern society that affects several people, particularly working class adults. While a variety of standardized treatments are available for this condition, patients tend to report their dissatisfaction with conventional Western medicine (Yun et. al., 2012, p.130). The process of using naturopathic medicine in treatment of chronic low-back pain requires addressing these questions. The questions can be addressed through various measures including conducting patient education and encouraging them to carry out research on complementary and alternative medicine. According to Kramlich (2014), these questions can also be addressed by establishing a safe and comfortable health care environment for patients and their families (p.55). This kind of environment can be established through open communication, recognition of cultural beliefs and preferences, and enhancing partnerships.

CAM Practice Interventions for Chronic Low-back Pain

Complementary and alternative medicine can be utilized in assisting patients to lessen the impact of chronic low-back pain. The use of CAM practice interventions for this condition is attributed to the fact many patients have expressed dissatisfaction with conventional Western medicine used to treat the condition. There are several complementary and alternative medicine practice interventions that can be used in treatment of chronic low-back pain such as acupuncture and massage therapy.

Acupuncture is a CAM practice therapy that entails the insertion of thin needles into certain locations in the body known as acupoints. According to the findings of systematic reviews, this practice intervention has been found effective in mitigating or relieving chronic low-back pain. As compared to modern medicine, acupuncture helps in treatment of chronic low-back pain and provides meaningful clinical outcomes. This naturopathic therapy is effective in treatment of chronic low-back pain since it has definite impact on soft tissues and muscles. The recommendation of this therapy in treating chronic low-back pain is because it's convenient and has less side-effect, improves function and mental condition, and has been proven to be effective in treating the condition in clinical and animal experiments.

Massage therapy is the second complementary and alternative medicine therapy that can be utilized in treatment of chronic low-back pain. Generally, massage therapy has been found effective in pain management, which has contributed to the need to incorporate this practice into pain management programs. A broad overview of existing literature provides relatively robust evidence that massage therapy has analgesic effects on chronic low-back pain, which helps in relieving pain. This CAM practice involves soft-tissue manipulation for therapeutic reasons by trained specialists or therapists (Tsao, 2007, p.166). Massage therapy is recommended for treating chronic low-back pain because of its impact on soft-tissues and analgesic effects.

In conclusion, complementary and alternative medicine has emerged as important facet of today's health care system given the ineffectiveness of conventional Western medicine in treating certain conditions. This distinct health care system has a long history and involves the use of traditional methods in treatment of diseases. Complementary and alternative medicine is seemingly effective in treatment of chronic pain, which is a common problem. An example of chronic pain condition that is effectively treated using CAM therapies is chronic low-back pain.

Summary

Complementary and alternative medicine is commonly known as naturopathic medicine, which is a term used to refer to a unique system of health care that involves the use of natural or non-conventional therapies in treatment of diseases. This unique health care system has a history that dates back to the 1800s when the term was first coined and naturopathic profession was introduced or developed. In addition to being based on six different protocols, naturopathic medicine is sometimes combined with modern medicine to help in treatment of certain diseases such as chronic pain, which is a major health issue in today's health care system.

While chronic pain is generally defined as pain that last from weeks to years, naturopathic physicians define it as pain that is caused by body imbalances that aggravate tissues and nerves. These practitioners diagnose chronic pain by examining body imbalances that generate pain and treat the condition through the use of several complementary and alternative medicine practice interventions. The interventions are selected based on the type of chronic pain and the body imbalances that generate it. However, the use of naturopathic medicine is characterized by some cultural challenges including differences in cultural beliefs regarding health and illness.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine in treatment of various conditions generates questions among patient population and health care providers. These questions can be addressed through extensive clinical research, patient education, and creation of a safe and healthy environment for patients. Chronic low-back pain is an example of a condition that is likely to generate several questions among patient populations and health care providers. This condition can be treated by using different CAM practice therapies such as acupuncture and massage therapy.