The largest gathering of naturopathic doctors is coming to the Coachella Valley this July 10-12 as the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) holds their 2025 annual convention in Indian Wells. Although the profession of naturopathic medicine has been around for 150 years and is well integrated on a global scale, the AANP is celebrating their 40th anniversary and stands as a leader in advancing the profession.1,2
Hundreds of naturopathic medical doctors (ND/NMD) and other health care professionals will be in the area for this event. This year’s theme, The Heart of Naturopathic Medicine, highlights foundational naturopathic philosophy and approaches alongside advances in modern medicine, a true representation of the unique expertise ND/NMDs embody.
This year’s agenda does not disappoint with topics that span this unique spectrum of expertise presented by some of the most acclaimed practitioners in the industry. Highlights include nuances to the use of GLP-1’s at low doses to address pain, brain and heart health; the latest updates in low-dose naltrexone use in immunology; peptide therapy in women’s health; ethical considerations and best practices for global care; a critical assessment of commonly used pharmaceuticals over the last 40 years, and regenerative therapies (stem cells and exosomes).
The comprehensive conference will also feature topics on naturopathic treatments for neuroinflammation, neuroplasticity, healing from surgery, gallstones and kidney stones, cervical dysplasia, generalized anxiety disorder, perimenopause/menopause, IBD, solutions to sexual interest/arousal concerns, microbiome restoration and perspectives on grave or life-ending illness to name a few.3
As illustrated above, ND/NMD’s expertise in both conventional and natural medicine positions them perfectly to provide holistic, sustainable health care and address the demand for medical professionals who can navigate the range of treatment approaches from pharmaceuticals to natural remedies to the latest biohacking trends. There hasn’t been a more critical time for incorporating ND/NMD’s into our health care system.
Accessibility to ND/NMD providers is a key issue for the profession and has been a main goal of AANP advocacy at both the state and federal levels. AANP is unwavering and leads the effort to integrate ND/NMD’s into veterans’ health care, Medicaid and Medicare. Recently, the AANP submitted a letter to the federal government summarizing over 2,000 peer reviewed research articles which demonstrated the benefits of naturopathic medicine including the reduction of overall health care expenditures by individuals, corporations and the government while increasing patient satisfaction. Currently, they await a response.4 In addition to providing these benefits to the health care system and consumers, such a move would also help to address the shortage of medical physicians that is expected to reach 86,000 by 2026.5
I interviewed the executive director of the AANP, Laura Farr, who notes that trends and movement towards nutrition and more natural approaches in both consumer choices and conventional medicine are the cornerstone of what naturopathic medicine has been doing for 150 years. The AANP is thrilled to celebrate naturopathic medicine at a time that Farr refers to as an “inflection point” for what is hoped to be a “shift in philosophy and approach for our national health care system.”
This is not only an exciting time for the Coachella Valley as it hosts the 2025 AANP conference, but also for the naturopathic profession.
If you are a community member, health care provider or media and would like to attend the AANP conference, email your inquiry to admin@naturopathic.org. Note that the continuing education credits (CEs) have been approved for California acupuncturists as well.
If you would like to support the AANP advocacy, you can visit their website at naturopathic.org. Importantly, contact your congress representative and voice your support for the inclusion of ND/NMD’s into the health care system. Every voice counts!
Dr. Jainuddin is a naturopathic primary care doctor at One Life Naturopathic and also offers biofeedback training and craniosacral therapy. For more information call (442) 256.5963 or visit www.onelifenaturopathic.org.
References: 1) https://societyofnaturopaths.org/about-naturopathy/history-of-naturopathy/; 2) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7219465/; 3) https://naturopathic.org/page/ConventionSchedule2025; 4) https://worldnaturopathicfederation.org/project/health-technology-assessment-naturopathy/; 5) https://www.aamc.org/news/press-releases/new-aamc-report-shows-continuing-projected-physician-shortage
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