Naturopathic Medicine is an individualized, patient-centered care aimed at restoring health by honoring the body’s innate capacity to heal itself. It combines traditional healing practices with modern medical knowledge to promote overall well-being.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) emphasize the use of natural therapies, such as nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle counseling, to treat a wide range of health conditions. They seek to identify and address the root causes of illness rather than merely alleviating symptoms.
Prevention is a fundamental principle of naturopathic medicine, with an emphasis on patient education and empowerment to make informed decisions about their health.
By considering the individual as a whole, taking into account physical, mental, and emotional aspects, naturopathic medicine strives to achieve a balanced state of health and wellness. This approach is often complementary to conventional medical care, providing patients with a broader spectrum of treatment options.
The Six Principles That Guide Naturopathic Medicine
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae) Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in people that is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.
Prevention Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and by making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere) Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam) The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere) Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient:
Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat;
Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms; and
Acknowledge, respect, and work with individuals’ self-healing process.
Treat the Whole Person Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.