The first law of naturopathic medicine is “First do no harm.” Naturopathic physicians treat patients by restoring overall health rather than suppressing a few key symptoms. Naturopathic physicians search for the underlying cause of a condition and apply treatments that work in alliance with the natural healing mechanisms of the body rather than against them. Naturopathic treatments result less frequently in adverse side effects, and are much preferable to the chronic conditions that arise when the cause of disease is left untreated.

What Is the Education of a Naturopathic Physician?

Naturopathic physicians (NDs) receive undergraduate training in standard premedical courses, followed by two years – like those of an MD – in basic medical sciences. The following two years emphasize clinical training in naturopathic therapeutics, treating patients with a wide variety of health conditions. This training prepares them to be primary care providers in an outpatient (rather than hospital) setting.

Dr. Greenwood received his Naturopathic Doctor (ND) degree from NCNM (www.NCNM.edu) , the oldest accredited medical school in North America. He passed rigorous national and Washington-state testing. (There is no licensing for naturopathic physicians in the state of Missouri.)

Are There Other Kinds of Naturopathic Physicians in the U.S.?

 Yes. Unfortunately, some people obtain questionable ND degrees from brief correspondence courses, short seminars, or from schools that give credit for life experience but which do not require clinical training. Some chiropractors and medical doctors claim to be naturopathic physicians without completing their training from a nationally recognized and accredited naturopathic college.
In Missouri, a state with no naturopathic regulation and licensing, many practitioners call themselves naturopathic physicians – “NDs” or “NMDs” – without the higher standard of training received from a nationally recognized and accredited naturopathic college.
Dr. Hunter Greenwood received his training from National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, a nationally recognized and accredited naturopathic college.

Dr. Greenwood is currently serving as president of the Missouri Society of Naturopathic Physicians.