Among the free alternative therapies (CAMs) available in the United States, acupuncture and chiropractic manipulation are the most widely accepted (Barnes, Bloom & Nahin, 2007); both of which have been scientifically validated for the treatment of chronic pain (Bronfort, Haas, Evans, Leininger & Triano, 2010; Vickers, Cronin, Maschino, Lewith, MacPherson, Foster, Sherman, Witt & Linde, 2012). As the medical model tends to reduce chiropractic and traditional Chinese medicine to single therapies: spinal manipulation and acupuncture respectively, these CAM therapies are considered relatively compatible with modern allopathy and therefore have the potential to integrate well with the model. medical. This has not been the case in naturopathic medicine. Elder (2013) discusses the challenges associated with integrating naturopathy with allopathic medicine and offers some potential solutions. Critical Thinking This article highlights the need to consider how naturopathic care might better fit into the medical model. Integrated medicine has been defined as “the bringing together of conventional and complementary approaches in a coordinated manner” (Short, 2016). Considering the fundamental differences between the philosophies underlying allopathic and naturopathic medicine, it is probably not surprising that integrating the two has proven difficult. However, the onus seems to be on physicians and naturopaths to find ways to work together more synergistically, perhaps with the common goal of improving well-being in the United States. Indeed, there is certainly room for improvement in health care, especially considering that the United States ranks among the worst in overall medical care among a cohort of seven rich...... middle of paper...... onic pain could find relief. Although “some therapies used in naturopathy can potentially be harmful if not used under the guidance of a well-trained practitioner” (Short, 2016), herbal therapies may nevertheless pose less risk of addiction than traditional therapies. Prolonged use of prescription narcotic medications. Although, at first glance, the philosophical approaches of allopathic medicine and naturopathic medicine may seem very disparate, discovering commonalities between the two could help facilitate integration. Perhaps this common ground could be facilitated by continued dialogue between the medical and naturopathic communities, at CME events, as the article proposes. Alternatively, pressure from healthcare consumers, who seem increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo, may be the best way to finally integrate allopathic medicine and naturopathy..