Naturopathy as a Healing System

This essay will consider the philosophies behind the whole healing System, Naturopathy and the modality acupuncture; delving into how they began, how they have changed and how they define 'health' and 'disease'. My personal views will also be discussed on health and disease.

In 1900, Doctor Benedict Lust, a German physician who immigrated to America, bought the term 'naturopathy' from Dr. John Schell to define the diverse compilation of principles of natural healing (Thiel 2000, p.3). Lust's intrigue in naturopathy was fueled by the treatment aim to increase the vital force (Thiel 2000, p.3). In 1902, Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy, which taught of the healing power of nature and importance of increasing the vital force (Thiel 2000, p.3).

Acupuncture is an ancient method of healing originating in China, dating back to approximately 6000 years ago to which credit cannot be given to a singular founder (Chang 1976, p.3). The oldest known text, dating back to the first century BC is the Yellow Emperor's classic of Internal Medicine, which defines acupuncture as a valid medical system (Chang 1976, p.14). However by the time of this text, Acupuncture was already an established practice of medicine flourishing in and throughout China (Chang 1976, p.14).

From these origins, both naturopathy and acupuncture have grown and advanced to the more scientific based practice they are today (Thiel 2000, p.5). Naturopathy originated as a science distinct from loosely gathered fragments of natural therapy (Trattler & Jones 2001, p.3). Of these natural therapies was; primarily hydrotherapy, and natural cure involving basic elements of food, water, air, light, rest, and herbs to combat disease (Thiel 2000, p.3). For centuries naturopathy has remained a vital practice of medicine alongside orthodox medicine's methods of drugs and surgery, continuing to provide an alternative (Turner 1984, p.138). E.W Cordingly states, "Naturopathy is the greatest healing system the world has ever known. It is the most comprehensive of all, most broad- minded of any in the healing art and will ever be thus and that as time goes on" (Thiel 2000, p.12).

Acupuncture increased in popularity spreading gradually throughout the world. Waichi Sugiyama invented the 'shikan' (insertion tube), which revolutionized the practice of acupuncture, now the standard practice worldwide (Birch & Felt 1999, p.39). 1928 saw a major development in acupuncture through works of Frenchman Souile de Morant. He translated Chinese manuscripts enabling Western physicians, a comprehensive basis to study and apply acupuncture (Chang 1976, p.15-16). President Nixon's visit to China in 1971, further popularized acupuncture in the United States with his claims of acupuncture excellent for back pain control. (Birch & Felt 1999, p.60) Acupuncture has broadened to many divisions such as hand acupressure, auricular acupuncture, and electro acupuncture all of which are based on the same principles (Chang 1976, p.3-6). "Nineteen- hundred years on from its first thorough elaboration, acupuncture is now effectively described as a modern art" (Birch & Felt 1999, p.80).

To understand the philosophies of naturopathy, the underlying factors causing the symptoms must be examined (Thiel 2000, p.11). Naturopaths believe in the healing power of nature, which is the concept that the body can self heal if clear of toxins and given suitable nutrition, rest, and natural stimulation (Trattler & Jones 2001, p.11). The global medical principle of naturopathy is first 'do no harm', originating from Hippocrates which means an intervention must be chosen to inflict the least harm on the patient (Thiel 2000, p.1). Naturopathic medicine aims to holistically treat patients and their symptoms as individuals (Thiel 2000, p.11). Naturopaths believe in prevention which can be achieved by nurturing the body's general vitality so that its natural and innate ability to sustain health can dominate"