WHAT IS NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE?
Naturopathic medicine blends centuries old, natural, non-toxic therapies with modern medicine, to provide exemplary care throughout the lifespan.
Naturopathic medicine concentrates on healing the whole person; our medicine is tailored to the patient and emphasizes prevention and lifestyle changes. Naturopathic medicine attempts to find the underlying cause of the patient’s condition rather than treating a set of symptoms. Naturopathic doctors cooperate with all other branches of medicine, referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when necessary.
Naturopathic Philosophy
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are primary care doctors clinically trained in natural therapeutics and whose core philosophy is based on a Hippocratic teaching more than 2000 years old: Vis medicatrix naturae – nature is the healer of all diseases. Our practice is based on the same basic bio-medical science foundation that a traditional allopathic doctor is; however, our philosophies and approaches differ considerably from our conventional counterparts.
Naturopathic doctors diagnose disease and treat patients by using natural modalities such as:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Herbal Medicine
- Nutrient Therapies
- Homeopathy
- Physical Manipulation
- Counseling
- Hydrotherapy, and more…
We choose treatment based on the individual patient, not based on the generality of symptoms. Naturopathic Medicine can successfully treat both chronic and acute conditions.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
The six principles that guide the therapeutic methods and modalities of Naturopathic medicine include:
First Do No Harm – primum non nocere
Naturopathic medicine uses therapies that are safe and effective. Our philosophy guides us to use the least invasive measures to provide the best possible outcome for each patient.
The Healing Power of Nature – vis medicatrix naturae
The human body possesses the inherent ability to restore health and heal itself. The doctors’s role is to facilitate this process with the aid of natural, non-toxic therapies.
Treat the Cause – tolle causam
Doctors seek and treat the underlying cause of a disease. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body’s natural attempt to heal. The origin of disease is removed or treated so the patient can regain health, and symptoms may subside.
Treat the Whole Person – tolle totum
Each patient has multiple factors that contribute to or detriment their health. All factors must be considered for each patient so that total wellness can be achieved. Doctors provide flexible treatment programs to meet individual health care needs.
Doctor as Teacher – docere
The doctor’s major role is to educate, empower, and motivate patients to take responsibility for their own health. Creating a healthy, cooperative relationship with a patient has a strong therapeutic value in and of itself.
Prevention is the Best “Cure” – praevenire
Naturopathic doctors are preventive medicine specialists. Doctors assess patient risk factors and heredity susceptibility and intervene appropriately to reduce risk and prevent illness. Prevention of disease is best accomplished through education and a lifestyle that supports health.