In states where the practice is known, we consider naturopaths as true primary care physicians can treat both situations of chronic crisis. They might be compared to general practitioners, may require or perform examinations, diagnose, prescribe and administer treatments, and even perform minor surgery such as removing a wart or suture a wound. If they feel that care out of their field of expertise are required, they refer patients to specialists (doctors, surgeons, osteopaths, homeopaths, etc..).
In other countries, naturopaths are considered health counselors. They deal primarily involved minor problems that do not require the care of "advanced medicine" and to combat chronic and degenerative diseases. They prefer the typical approaches of naturopathy, such as nutritional therapy and lifestyle changes.
Please note that naturopaths sit more often in the working committees to oversee medical research and policy development in public health at the initiative of government and medical authorities.
Research
There are no clinical trials whose results would demonstrate the effectiveness of naturopathy as an integrated system. But several techniques and approaches used in naturopathic medicine have been clinical trials (nutrition, hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, gemmotherapy, colon hydrotherapy, fasting, etc..). Phytotherapy (or herbalism) remains the discipline, in naturopathy, has been the largest number of scientific studies. In 2003, a review of systematic reviews of clinical trials have focused on complementary therapies revealed that synthesis of the 34 analyzed, 20 were related to the use of plants médicinales1. Supplements commonly used by naturopaths are particularly against the high rate cholestérol2 infectieux3 and agents.
