(a) “Naturopathic Medicine” or “Naturopathy” means a comprehensive system of primary health care practiced by naturopathic physicians for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of human conditions, injuries, and diseases using education and natural methods and therapies to support and stimulate the individual, intrinsic self-healing processes.
(b) “Naturopathic physician” means a person authorized and licensed to practice naturopathic medicine under this chapter and who has graduated from an approved naturopathic medical college.
(c) “Board” means the Virgin Islands Board of Naturopathic Physicians as established in section 192, of this chapter.
(d) “Physical modalities” means the use of physical, chemical, electrical, and other non-invasive modalities, including but not limited to, heat, cold, air, light, gravity, water in any of its forms, sound and therapeutic exercise.
(e) “Mechanotherapy” means manipulation of a part of or the whole body by hand or by mechanical means.
(f) “Topical medicines” means topical analgesics, anesthetics, antiseptics, scabicides, anti-inflammatories, antivirals, antifungals, and antibacterials.
(g) “Homeopathic preparations” means medicines prepared according to the official Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States.
(h) “Medicines of mineral, animal and botanical origin” means medicines derived from animal organs, tissues, and oils, minerals, and plants.
(i) “Minor office procedures” means the use of operative, electrical, or other methods for the surgical repair and care incidental to superficial lacerations and abrasions, superficial lesions, and the removal of foreign bodies located in the superficial tissues, the excision of lesions, trigger point therapy, dermal stimulation, allergy testing, and the use of antiseptics and local anesthetics in connection therewith.
(j) “Hygiene, sanitary measures and immunizations” means the use of such preventative techniques as personal hygiene, asepsis, public health, and immunizations, to the extent allowed by law, rule or regulation.
(k) “Approved naturopathic medical college” means a college and program granting the degree of doctor of naturopathic medicine or doctor naturopathy that is:
(1) accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) or another accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education or;
(2) a candidate for accreditation with such agency or;
(3) approved by the board after investigation and found to meet education standards equivalent to those established by such agency.
(l) “Naturopathic childbirth attendance” means the specialty practice of natural childbirth by naturopathic physicians which includes the use of natural therapeutic and obstetrical medicines, ophthalmic antibiotics, obstetrical emergency medicine and minor office procedures, including episiotomies, as established by rules of the Board.
(m) “Naturopathic Acupuncture” means the insertion of fine metal needles through the skin at specific points on or near the surface of the body with or without the palpation of specific points on the body and with or without the application of electric current or heat to the needles or skin, or both, to treat human disease and impairment and to relieve pain.
(n) “Formulary” means the list of natural and prescriptive substances which naturopathic physicians use in the practice of their profession, as specified by the Board of Naturopathic Physicians.