Naturopathic medicine is based upon a holistic philosophy, an approach to medical care that emphasizes the study of all aspects of a person's health, with an emphasis on finding the underlying cause of the patient's condition rather than focusing solely on symptomatic treatment. This delivery of healthcare encompasses safe and effective traditional therapies with the most current advances in modern medicine. Naturopathic medicine is appropriate for the management of a broad range of health conditions affecting all people of all ages.

Naturopathic physicians (NDs) are the highest trained practitioners in the broadest scope of naturopathic medical therapies. In addition to the basic medical sciences and conventional diagnostics, the ND is trained in therapeutic nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, natural childbirth, classical Chinese medicine, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy, pharmacology, and minor surgery.

What: The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) 19th Annual Convention & Exposition will be held September 8-11, 2004, at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seattle, WA. The theme of this year's gathering is "Naturopathic Medicine: Honoring the Science of Natural Healing."

Who: Many of the nation's top naturopathic medical practitioners are convening in Seattle to discuss the latest developments in this form of alternative medicine as well hear new findings in research addressing naturopathic medicine and the treatment of common medical disorders.

When: Research presentations will be offered daily at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center, beginning at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, September 9, 2004 and continue until 4:00 PM on Saturday, September 11, 2004.

Why: Practitioners of naturopathic medicine are increasingly being called upon by patients to treat a wide range of medical disorders. The NIH National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is currently sponsoring three clinical trials in this form of alternative medicine. These trained physicians have conducted new research addressing the safety and effectiveness of naturopathic treatments for cancer (including breast cancer), obesity, diabetes, weight control, and temporomandibular disorders. The findings will have a dramatic impact on the treatment of major diseases and other medical disorders.

FOR THE MEDIA: Members of the media are invited to attend. The findings from select presentations will be provided in separate news releases and provided to the press on an embargoed basis. Select releases will also be available on the AANP homepage http://www.naturopathic.org/ on September 7.

MEDIA CONTACT
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CITATIONS

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians Annual Convention & Exposition