Medical Degrees
Four Medical Degrees of Licensed Doctors
There are four primary branches of doctors, licensed to be primary care providers.
1) Allopathic
2) Chiropractic
3) Naturopathic
4) Osteopathic
Note: All end in “opathic.”
ALLOPATHIC:
By definition from medical dictionaries: Allopathic medicine works in “disharmony” with nature by using drugs to subdue biological reactions. Allopathic Doctors are looking for disease states, then treating those diseases with prescription medications. This branch of medicine is sometimes called “Conventional Medicine,” or “Western Medicine.” With certification, they are licensed to perform major surgery. The common name for an Allopathic Doctor is “Medical Doctor, M.D.”
CHIROPRACTIC:
Chiropractic medicine believes heath, or lack of health, all centers around the ability, or inability, of adequate nerve signaling to pass through the spinal column, unimpeded through all nerves, into target systems, such as muscles, organs, etc. Their primary mission is spinal manipulations. The word “adjustment” is a trade name specific to a D.C.. Their common name is “Chiropractor, D.C.”
NATUROPATHIC:
By definition from medical dictionaries: Naturopathic medicine works in “harmony” with nature by emphasizing natural medicines as much as possible. Occasions do arise when a Naturopathic Doctor may need to prescribe prescriptions medications for a short period of time. They are licensed to perform minor surgery. Their common name is “Naturopathic Doctor, N.D.”
OSTEOPATHIC:
Osteopathic medicine is a combination of conventional medicine (Medical Doctor) and spinal manipulation (Chiropractic Doctor). With certification, they are licensed to perform major surgery. Their common name is “Osteopathic Doctor, D.C.”
All four branches of primary care doctors are required to be licensed in the state of their practice. They are also required to attend annual educational seminars. Requirements range from 20 to 50 hours per year, depending on what type of doctor they are, and in which state(s) they are licensed. All must take board exams before becoming licensed.
I am a Naturopathic Doctor.
NATUROPATHIC PRINCIPLES:
The most fundamental principle of Naturopathic Medicine is: “First, Do No Harm,” which comes from the Latin word: “Primum Non Nocere”.
It is believed to have originated from Corpus Hippocraticum around 400 BC, which states:
“In hidden incurable diseases, healthy people should not be given any remedies because in a perfectly healthy body, everything medically is harmful. The physician also endeavors to prevent harmful influences in case of diseases and initiate or promote appropriate influences in the same” .
“First Do No Harm” (Primum Non Nocere) has been broadened over many centuries to include a much broader appreciation for the risks and nature of health care practices. It refers to not only the patient but also to the patient’s “Vital Force.” Naturopathic Doctors are trained to begin any therapy beginning with the least invasive of natural therapies as possible, that are gentle and will “rebuild” the patient’s body in the process. Verses: Using aggressive drugs which work by “disrupting” (in “disharmony” with nature), the natural biochemical pathways of the human health.
Inserts from the Naturopathic Hippocratic Oath, which I swore to on the day I was presented my diploma as a Naturopathic Doctor, reads:
“…and I will use regiments for the benefit of the ill in accordance with my ability and my judgment, but from (what is) to their harm or injustice I will keep (them).”
“ and I will not give a drug that is deadly to anyone if asked ”
NATUROPATHIC DOCTORS DEVELOP TREATMENT PLANS BY APPLYING THREE BASIC PRINCIPLES IN THE FOLLOWING ORDER:
1. Naturopathic physicians utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful effects and apply the least possible force or intervention necessary to diagnose illness and restore health.
2. Whenever possible, the suppression of symptoms is avoided as suppression generally interferes with the healing process.
3. Naturopathic Doctors respect and work with the term: “Vis Medicatrix Naturae” in the diagnosis, treatment and counseling of their patients, because if this self-healing process is not respected, the patient may be harmed.”