Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of medicine that uses lifestyle changes and natural therapies to stimulate the body’s own healing process. Supportive natural therapies are given which not only address current concerns, but focus on prevention and optimal health. Naturopathic doctors seek to understand the underlying cause of your symptoms and to treat you as a whole person.
Principles
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae):
Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in the person which 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.
Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle causum):
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to merely eliminate of 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 risk of harmful side effects
- Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms
- Acknowledge, respect, and work with the individual’s self-healing process
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.
Treat the Whole Person (Tolle Totum):
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 physician encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.
Prevention (Preventare):
Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease – assessing risk factors, heredity, and susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine is committed to the creation of a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.
