Naturopathic medicine is also known as naturopathy.  Some naturopathic medical practice acts in the USA and its territories regulate the practice of “naturopathic medicine” and others regulate the practice of “naturopathy,” simply depending on how the practice acts were written into law.

 

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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, 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 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

   • American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.  Definition of Naturopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2016 Mar 25.
   • American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.  House of Delegates Position Paper:  Definition of Naturopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2016 Mar 25.
   • O*NET OnLine.  Details Report for: 29-1199.04 – Naturopathic Physicians.  Accessed on 2016 Apr 03.

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

   • American Institute of Homeopathy.  Who We Are.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 19.
   • American Medical Association.  About AMA – Our History: The Founding of AMA.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 19.
   • American Medical Association.  About AMA – Our History: AMA History Timeline.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 19.
   • American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.  A Brief History of Osteopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 21.
   • A.T. Still University.  About ATSU.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 21.
   • Lust, Benedict.  Universal Naturopathic Encyclopedia Directory and Buyer’s Guide – Yearbook of Drugless Therapy for 1918-19: Volume 1.  New York, 1918.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 21.
   • National University of Natural Medicine.  History of Naturopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 21.
   • University of California, Irvine – UCI Libraries.  The Merger – M.D.s & D.O.s in California: History of the Merger.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 21.
   • Missouri Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons.  A Brief History of Osteopathic Medicine.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 21.
   • American Association of Naturopathic Physicians.  About Us.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 21.
   • American Osteopathic Association.  History of the AOA.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 21.
   • Micozzi, Marc.  Complementary & Integrative Medicine in Cancer Care and Prevention: Foundations & Evidence-Based Interventions.  Springer Publishing Company, 2007.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 21.
   • World Naturopathic Federation.  About WNF.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.
   • World Medical Association.  About the WMA.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.
   • Osteopathic International Alliance.  About Us.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.
   • University of Pennsylvania University Archives and Records Center.  School of Medicine: Historical Development, 1765-1800.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.
   • University of Pennsylvania University Archives and Records Center.  University History: A Brief History of the University of Pennsylvania.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.
   • University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine.  Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.
   • A.T. Still University.  History of ATSU.  Accessed on 2016 Sep 26.