--- title: Are Naturopathic Doctors Medical Doctors? description: Are naturopathic physicians the same as medical doctors? Naturopathic doctors (ND) are trained in naturopathic medicine. Read this article to learn more. image: https://blog.sofiahealth.com/hubfs/Naturopathic%20Doctors-1.jpg --- - - - [![Sofia Health](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/9040910/interactive-176723981363.png)](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIKsPry5sXszwuaYcI2%2F2CXRUw3%2FXBg6gKXzED4joqiezfWl5wZA2fJ8jV94zPcMnCkW0ws6JYSfwAEqMdblKK7cY4DC%2BFaiRk55P1ayj2qdqHmaAwlazESwFpAB0ONQ30AypioqEacdVbpwIlxWZlcTHqAxMCUvzo3&webInteractiveContentId=176723981363&portalId=9040910) ### Topics Filter by topic Podcast Wellness Health Mental Wellbeing healing Meditation holistic health health coach Solopreneur Success Wellness Business health and wellness coaching Entrepreneurship Tools & Resources naturopathic Nutrition Spiritual Health Marketing Social Media Yoga Doula Sleep Starting Up Insider Sell Online dietitian kids nutritionist Back Office Chronic Diseases Fertility Gift Guides Gratitude Herbal Teas Homeschool Insomnia PTSD TTC autoimmune disease weight loss ### Stay up to date SUBSCRIBE ### Stay up to date [naturopathic](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/tag/naturopathic) [Health](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/tag/health) # Are Naturopathic Doctors Medical Doctors? ![Picture of Sofia Health Staff](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/hubfs/Sofia.png) By [Sofia Health Staff](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/author/team-sofia-health) on January, 09 2021 [mailto:?body=https://blog.sofiahealth.com/are-naturopathic-doctors-actual-doctors](mailto:?body=https://blog.sofiahealth.com/are-naturopathic-doctors-actual-doctors) ![wooden spoonful of medicine capsules](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/hubfs/Naturopathic%20Doctors-1.jpg) Naturopathic medicine is a confluence of Western science, natural therapies, and holistic approaches that focus on the use of natural remedies to help the body heal itself. Naturopathic medicine aims to treat the whole person -- mind, body, and spirit -- in order to heal the root causes of an illness, as opposed to merely treating the symptoms. A naturopathic doctor, or doctor of naturopathic medicine (ND), is trained in naturopathic medicine. > **Table of Contents** > > - [**What is the Difference Between a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and a Medical Doctor (MD)**](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/are-naturopathic-doctors-actual-doctors#what-is-the-difference) > - [**What Does a Naturopathic Doctor Do That a Traditional Doctor Does Not? **](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/are-naturopathic-doctors-actual-doctors#what-does-a-naturopathic) > - [**What to Look For in a Qualified Naturopathic Doctor**](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/are-naturopathic-doctors-actual-doctors#what-to-look-for) ## **What is the Difference Between a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) and a Medical Doctor (MD)** ![stethoscope, medicines and medicine container](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/derek-finch-zkrPU_1AwdU-unsplash.jpg?width=400&name=derek-finch-zkrPU_1AwdU-unsplash.jpg) Naturopathic physicians attend an accredited 4-year naturopathic medical college. Their training consists of a comprehensive study of the conventional medical sciences, as well as an in-depth study of a range of natural therapies.   Like traditional medical doctors, NDs are required to take a professional board exam to become licensed. Residency training is not required for ND licensure, although some NDs do choose to participate in residencies. ## **What Does a Naturopathic Doctor Do That a Traditional Doctor Does Not?** Traditional doctors take a more biological approach to treatment and healing, as their education is disease-specific. They provide medical solutions to alleviate a disease-centered around treating the disease's symptoms. A naturopathic doctor, on the other hand, treats the body as one. Instead of simply treating the symptoms, they aim to find the root cause behind the disease, which can require a variety of therapeutic modalities.    ![various types of medicines in bottles displayed on the shelf](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/matt-briney-0tfz7ZoXaWc-unsplash.jpg?width=390&name=matt-briney-0tfz7ZoXaWc-unsplash.jpg) Let’s take eczema, for example. If you visit a medical doctor to treat your eczema, they may give you a prescription cream. This cream should help alleviate the physical symptoms of your eczema (itchy, dry, irritated skin) but won’t prevent your eczema from returning once you stop using the cream. Instead of prescribing a cream, a naturopathic doctor may suggest dietary and lifestyle changes. They might also recommend using the cream, in addition to[natural home remedies](https://www.healthline.com/health/natural-remedies-to-reduce-eczema-symptoms) like oatmeal baths.   ## **What to Look For in a Qualified Naturopathic Doctor** Before choosing a naturopathic practitioner, it is important to consider a few key elements: their education/training, licenses, certifications, experience, as well as your state’s licensing requirements.  [![Sofia Health Banner](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/bOj282cbQTjF3eR_4fjCDoZVCBSLNdJXa6e79O7_b-RLHExXCBLgbj9dz_GY1FpHBt4iCnlWJxjNiHtIHM6iyABRal5DBuR-Jcx7q6IZ-Je2urVydwDhfwgd4IVPfmxnQPIGQ-qXd6mrKX2qGOqzfdQ4rzHBHoBgIja-ijGvuJ78VH2YpmPF4PIhEiLrhA)](https://sofiahealth.com/)   #### Recommended Articles [![Top 5 Reasons to Work with a Naturopathic Doctor](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/hubfs/Top%205%20Reasons%20Naturopathic%20Doctor%20(5).png)](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/top-5-reasons-to-work-with-a-naturopathic-doctor) ###### [Top 5 Reasons to Work with a Naturopathic Doctor](https://blog.sofiahealth.com/top-5-reasons-to-work-with-a-naturopathic-doctor) - 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