Since the beginning of the 2000s, exactly one century after it put down roots in North America, naturopathic medicine is finally enjoying a well-deserved renaissance. I believe that the future of naturopathic medicine is looking quite bright. As the general population becomes more informed about the nature of their health they will be more likely to make better choices regarding their health care provider(s). More and more people will see Naturopathic medicine, as well as other alternative models, as an opportunity to take charge of their health in ways that are currently not possible with conventional medicine.
It is clearly seen, that the illusion of a “Magic Pill” that cures all is a fading dream as people begin to realize that they need to proactively take responsibility for their own health. Much of naturopathic medicine focus is on preventative methods, which in turn places a greater demand on patients to take an active responsibility for their health. Furthermore, most naturopathic remedies/treatments are affordable relative to the pharmaceuticals prescribed by conventional doctors. Because of this low cost/profit, pharmaceutical companies don’t endorse Naturopathic medicine.
There is simply no money in it. In spite of efforts of teams of lawyers and sometimes biased media whose sole purpose is to lobby governments to pass favourable laws that benefit corporate bottom lines, general public shows increasing interest in natural medicines which have been shown to be effective and accessible. Today, licensed naturopathic physicians are experiencing noteworthy clinical successes, providing leadership in innovative natural medical research, enjoying increasing political influence, and looking forward to an unlimited future potential.
I think that people are beginning to recognize the value of natural healing compared to the synthetic prescription drug alternative. As we enter the twenty-first century, the naturopathic profession finds itself well positioned for a new era in health care. With more and more research supporting the therapies used by naturopathic physicians, it’s proactive approach and the public demand for greater choice and increased access to more natural approaches to their health care, naturopathic medicine is poised to make the transition from “alternative” medicine to truly “mainstream” medicine