Of the free alternative therapies (CAM) available in the United States, acupuncture and chiropractic manipulation are the most widely accepted (Barnes, Bloom & Nahin, 2007); both 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). Because the medical model tends to reduce chiropractic and traditional Chinese medicine to single therapies: spinal manipulation and acupuncture, respectively, these CAM therapies are seen as relatively compatible with modern allopathy and therefore have the potential to integrate well with the medical model . This has not been the case with naturopathic medicine. Elder (2013) discusses the challenges associated with integrating naturopathy with allopathic medicine and offers some potential solutions. Critical Reflection This article expresses the need to determine how naturopathic care could better integrate with the medical model. Integrated medicine has been defined as “the bringing together of conventional and complementary approaches in a coordinated manner” (Short, 2016). When you consider the fundamental differences in the philosophies underlying allopathic and naturopathic medicine, it is probably not surprising that integrating the two has proven challenging. However, it seems incumbent upon 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 the field of health care, especially when you consider that the United States reportedly ranks among the worst in terms of overall medical care within a group of seven rich… middle of the paper... sonic pain may find relief. Although “some therapies used in naturopathy can potentially be harmful if not used under the direction of a well-trained practitioner” (Short, 2016), herbal therapies may still pose less risk of addiction than prolonged use of narcotic medications prescribed. Although, at first glance, the philosophical approaches of allopathic and naturopathic medicine may seem very disparate, finding areas of common ground between the two can help facilitate integration. Perhaps this common ground can be facilitated through ongoing dialogue between the medical and naturopathic communities, at CME events, as proposed in the article. Alternatively, pressure from healthcare consumers, who appear to be increasingly dissatisfied with the status quo, may be the best way to finally integrate allopathic medicine and naturopathy..