A major win for the naturopathic medical community is primed to take place when Colorado becomes the 17^th state to regulate naturopathic medicine as a primary care option for its residents.  Mostly limited to the coastal states currently, licensure in Colorado is a promising sign of the growing awareness and acceptance of naturopathic medicine as an important and legitimate aspect of healthcare in our country.

As a California-based naturopathic doctor since 2005 (California has recognized NDs as primary care doctors since 2004), I support a vision where NDs act as the modern-day family physician.  As experts in prevention, lifestyle changes, food as medicine and other low-force interventions, we are a logical choice to be a first stop for diagnosis, health treatment and information.  In this role, we allow conventional doctors (MDs and DOs) to focus in specializations and higher-force interventions, a role in which the conventional medical community excels and has a structure and network to support.

Working together in this way, NDs and MDs create a spectrum of care that reduces medical costs, complications and perhaps most importantly, empowers patients to take control over their health with a greater understanding of how to treat and optimally prevent disease.

You can learn more about naturopathic medicine here and here.

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Image by Naturopathic Doctor News and Review