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Naprapathic Medicine is a system of healthcare that employs Physical (Manual) Medicine, Nutritional Counseling and Therapeutic Modalities, specializing in the treatment of pain caused by Connective Tissue Disorders.
Naprapaths are connective tissue specialists. Connective tissue supports and contains all of the integral structures of the entire body, including the tissue surrounding the spinal column and spinal cord, it envelopes muscles, organs, joints and all of the articulations of the body.
The Doctor of Naprapathy (DN) Program is a 4-year program. There is a 3-year accelerated version of the DN Program.
Some advanced degrees may be able to accelerate through the DN program in as little as 2 ½ years.
A Naprapath or Naprapathic Doctor is a Connective Tissue Specialist.
Twenty-first century Naprapaths are known as complementary manual medicine specialists. Naprapaths remain person-oriented, taking time to explain procedures and conditions to the patient, inviting the patient’s participation in acquiring healthy habits of proper exercise, correct posture, sound body mechanics and optimal nutrition.
A Connective Tissue Specialist specializes in the identification, evaluation and treatment of Connective Tissue Disorders (CTDs).
A connective tissue is a type of tissue which connects two bones or connects two tissues.
Connective tissues include cartilage, bone, adipose, and blood.
Connective Tissue = Tissue that supports, protects, and gives structure to other tissues and organs in the body. Connective tissue also stores fat, helps move nutrients and other substances between tissues and organs, and helps repair damaged tissue.
Anatomy Definition:
tissue that connects, supports, binds, or separates other tissues or organs, typically having relatively few cells embedded in an amorphous matrix, often with collagen or other fibers, and including cartilaginous, fatty, and elastic tissues.
Characterized by abnormal rigid and/or contracted (strained) ligaments, tendons and muscles.
These disorders interfere with nerve conduction and the circulation of blood and lymph.
Results in pain and inflammation to the affected area of the body. Some common musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders successfully treated through Naprapathic Medicine include:
Causes of CTDs include, but are not limited to:
Naprapaths correct and restore tissue health manually and internally through nutrition. Restoring tissue health as Naprapaths can be done through three main ways:
Having the ability to use both manual medicine and nutritional counseling increases our results dramatically when treating Connective Tissue Disorders. As a result, there is an ever-increasing demand for qualified licensed Naprapaths. Individuals seeking a career as licensed practitioners specializing in manual medicine and nutritional counseling will find Naprapathic Medicine to be a dynamic opportunity.
Some starting annual salaries for Naprapathic Doctors are up to $75,992 ($36.50/hr).
Ranges $75,992 annually ($36.50/hr) – $106,614 annually ($51.25/hr).
As a result, there is an ever-increasing demand for qualified licensed Naprapaths. Individuals seeking a career as licensed practitioners specializing in manual medicine and nutritional counseling will find Naprapathic Medicine to be a dynamic opportunity.
Most Naprapathic Doctors work in private practice. However, more and more DNs are crossing over into hospital, urgent care and medical group settings.
Dr. Oakley Smith founded Naprapathy November 16th, 1905.
Dr. Oakley Smith founded Naprapathy November 16th, 1905.
The National College of Naprapathic Medicine (NCNM) is a 501c3 (tax-exempt) non-profit organization and private college.
We are the oldest 4-year academic professional college of Naprapathic Medicine in the U.S.
Founded in 1907 **** Incorporated in 1908
Mission…
To train Doctors of Naprapathic Medicine as allied healthcare professionals using specialized connective tissue manipulation according to the Oakley Smith Naprapathic Method ®, integrating the basic human sciences with the unique art of manual medicine, and to teach essential protocols for naprapathic evaluation & treatment, nutritional counseling, principles of rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise and application of physical modalities.
The first school was chartered in 1908 in Chicago, Illinois. It was named “Oakley Smith School of Naprapathy,” becoming the Chicago College of Naprapathy (CCN) in 1912. Another school, the National College of Naprapathy (NCN) was founded in Chicago in 1949. The two schools combined in 1971, and exist today as the National College of Naprapathic Medicine (NCNM).
A Message from the President
“You have the unique opportunity to become part of one of the most innovative and fastest growing healthcare professions — Naprapathic Medicine, a system of manual medicine, nutritional counseling, and therapeutic exercises. With the advances in medical technology, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Naprapaths are now able to empirically validate connective tissue disorders and the basic principles upon which Naprapathic Manual Medicine was founded over a hundred years ago— gentle, effective correction of connective tissue disorders. Today Naprapathic Medicine enjoys increased recognition within the healthcare community and the public at large.
Having the ability to use both manual medicine and nutritional counseling increases our results dramatically when treating connective tissue disorders. As a result, there is an ever-increasing demand for qualified licensed Naprapaths. Individuals seeking a career as licensed practitioners specializing in manual medicine and nutritional counseling will find Naprapathic Medicine to be a dynamic opportunity. It was a decision I made and I continue to fulfill my personal and professional goals.
If you are a committed and qualified individual seeking to help others through a meaningful, effective and monetarily rewarding future in healthcare, then the National College of Naprapathic Medicine and the NapMed Pain Clinic can be your stepping stone toward a challenging, exciting career and fulfillment of your life’s professional goals. Don’t miss what may be your opportunity of a lifetime. Become a licensed Doctor of Naprapathy.
Your future is in your hands!”
Shante Griggs, PharmD, DN
NCNM President
Naprapathy is recognized with licenses in the states of:
Illinois, New Mexico and Ohio.
*Ohio has some limitations.
Naprapathy is known and practiced in Sweden, Finland, Norway, India, Spain, Canada & China.
Yes. Naprapaths are licensed doctors in the state of Illinois, New Mexico and Ohio.
*Ohio has some limitations.
Yes. Licensed Naprapathic Doctors can practice Naprapathy under the Health Care Freedom Act of 2017 in the states of California, Colorado, Maine, Oklahoma, Idaho, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Louisiana and Nevada. There are 15 additional states under pending legislation currently joint the Health Care Freedom Act
#1. You MUST have a current and ACTIVE DN license. DN Licenses are only available in the states of IL and NM. Testing is required to obtain a DN License.
#2. You must contact the state of interest how you may reciprocate to practice in their state under the Health Care Freedom Act.
Click here to see list of States and contacts.
Licensed Naprapathic Doctors can practice Naprapathy under the Health Care Freedom Act of 2017 in the states of California, Colorado, Maine, Oklahoma, Idaho, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Louisiana and Nevada. There are 15 additional states under pending legislation currently joint the Health Care Freedom Act
#1. You MUST have a current and ACTIVE DN license. DN Licenses are only available in the states of IL and NM. Testing is required to obtain a DN License.
#2. You must contact the state of interest how you may reciprocate to practice in their state under the Health Care Freedom Act.
Click here to see list of States and contacts.
Testing is required to obtain a DN License.
A candidate must contact a state where a license is available and seek to take that state’s licensing exam. Candidate should contact state schools for assistance with state licensure.
DN Licenses are available in the state of Illinois (IL) and the state of New Mexico (NM).
Click here for NCNM’s Policy for assistance with licensing for the State of Illinois
Yes.
Most major insurance companies will cover Naprapathic Services.
Patients may also request physical medicine coverage with their insurance providers in the case where Naprapathic Services are not covered.
No.
Naprapathic Doctors are direct access and most insurance will cover Naprapathic Services with out a referral.
No physician referral is required or necessary for naprapathic care; although it is very common to receive physician referral by professional courtesy or collaboration and / or patient request.
Personal Injury cases may need the collaboration or referral of a physician.
Yes. Examples of most commonly ordered exams include, but are not limited to:
Visiting the National College of Naprapathic Medicine (NCNM)
NCNM’s NapMed Pain Clinic has affordable rates for the uninsured and underinsured through treatment from our naprapathic interns.
Schedule an appointment at the NapMed Pain Clinic here
A Naprapath or Naprapathic Doctor is a Connective Tissue Specialist in the identification, evaluation and treatment of Connective Tissue Disorders (CTDs).
Connective tissue is a type of tissue inside and throughout the entire body. It is the tissue that’s connecting to the other tissues of the body. An example of a connective tissue would be ligaments. Ligaments connect bone to bone.
A Naprapath, not only corrects and restores tissue health as it relates to connective tissue but also nerve tissue, muscle tissue, bone tissue etc
Naprapaths correct and restore tissue health manually and internally through nutrition. Restoring tissue health as Naprapaths can be done through three main ways:
A Naprapath or Naprapathic Doctor is a Connective Tissue Specialist in the identification, evaluation and treatment of Connective Tissue Disorders (CTDs).
Connective tissue is a type of tissue inside and throughout the entire body. It is the tissue that’s connecting to the other tissues of the body. An example of a connective tissue would be ligaments. Ligaments connect bone to bone.
A Naprapath, not only corrects and restores tissue health as it relates to connective tissue but also nerve tissue, muscle tissue, bone tissue etc
Naprapaths correct and restore tissue health manually and internally through nutrition. Restoring tissue health as Naprapaths can be done through three main ways:
Dr Roland J Sidney, DN
Dr. Roland J. Sidney, DN
2-part interview with Naprapath Roland J. Sidney, recorded at 1006 S. Michigan.
“…healing is an art, naprapathy focuses on the joints and nervous system, there is a mental aspect, does not use drugs, is not vegetarian; there has been a growing interest in health in the African American community since the mid-1960s, soul food; naprapath clientel include artists, e.g., Dick Gregory, cast of Hair, Yusef Lateef, Reggie Workman, Gil Scott-Heron, Earth Wind and Fire, Freda Payne, Melba Moore; about the practice and treatments; Sidney notes that there is place for medical doctors, surgeons.”
“…about having a high energy level, feel that something is working through you; Sydney has been perfoming for 15 years; born in Chicago in 1928, near Morgan and Roosevelt, neighborhood then called “Jew Town,” graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, but had been “victim” of Chicago’s school system, kicked out; father was a carpeter from Louisiana, came to Chicago in 1926; mother a housewife; Sydney attended to the Black Power movement of the 1960s; had been a reader all his life, played piano at age 6, in an auto accident in 1945, when interest in naprapathy began; saw Doctor Keller in 1955 and cured him, motivated Sydney to study; now plans a natural health center, wants to support artistic community.”
