Naturopathic medicine is beneficial for a wide range of physical illnesses and conditions. Naturopaths claim that their ability to determine the underlying cause of the illness and to stimulate the body's own healing ability is why their medicine can be so effective where other systems of medicine are not. The most common areas for treatment include:

• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Women's health problems
• Preventative medicine and health maintenance
• Natural childbirth
• Ear inflammations
• Respiratory illnesses
• Degenerative illnesses
• Terminal diseases (HIV Research)

Treatment modalities for doctors of naturopathy include:

• Clinical nutrition
• Hydrotherapy
• Homeopathy
• Herbs
• Chinese medicine
• Counseling and stress management
• Minor surgery
• Ayurvedic medicine
• Physical medicine

The American Association of Naturopathic Physicians lists a few of the diagnostic and treatment modalities utilized by Naturopathic doctors:

• All methods of clinical and laboratory diagnostic testing: including diagnostic radiology and other imaging techniques; nutritional medicine, dietetics and therapeutic fasting;
  
• Medicines of mineral, animal and botanical origin;
  
• Hygiene and public health measures;
  
• Homeopathy;
  
• Acupuncture and Oriental medicine;
  
• Psychotherapy;
  
• Counseling;
  
• Minor surgery;
  
• Naturopathic obstetrics: Natural childbirth;
  
• Naturopathic physical medicine: Including naturopathic manipulative therapies;
  
• Use of hydrotherapies, heat, cold, ultrasound, and therapeutic exercise.

Naturopathic practice excludes major surgery and the use of most synthetic drugs.