The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

The foundation of Naturopathic medicine is based on six principles formulated from the observation of health and disease and examined through scientific analyses. The following are the principles that unite and distinguish naturopathic medicine.

The Healing Power of Nature

The body has the innate ability to maintain and restore health. The natural healing process occurs in response to the body's life force and the mind's regulation, creating a balance between mind, body and spirit. The physician's role is to facilitate this process by identifying and removing the obstacles to recovery, and supporting the inherent healing system by creating a healthy internal and external environment.

First Do No Harm

During the natural healing process there are sometimes signs and symptoms of illness which are the body's expression of an attempt to heal itself. The Naturopath is trained to utilize non-invasive therapeutics which help to support the immune system and the healing power of nature while minimizing risks of harmful side-effects. ND's may also work with other health care practitioners to ensure that the patient receives the safest and best possible health care.

Identify and Treat the Cause

All illnesses have an underlying cause which must be identified and treated in order to achieve complete recovery to health. Symptoms of disease represent the body's attempt to heal itself or the current state of its health, but are not the cause of disease. Naturopathic medicine primarily addresses the causes of illness rather than just the symptoms. The doctor evaluates all possibilities of underlying causes including the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual states of an individual in order to direct treatment at the core issues and not the symptomatic expressions of the body.

Treat the Whole Person

Health and disease are associated with a complex interaction of physical, emotional, dietary, genetic, environmental, lifestyle and social factors. These are conditions of the whole organism and vary according to each individual. The Naturopath treats the whole person as an individual taking into account all of the aspects essential to recovery or prevention of disease.

Physician as Teacher

In understanding that the body has the inherent ability to heal itself, the doctor's major role is to educate and encourage the patient to take responsibility for health. The doctor works to facilitate healing by promoting healthy lifestyles and improving an individual's ability to fight off disease. Ultimately, though, it is the patient and his/her body, and not the physician, whom accomplishes healing.

Prevention

The fundamental goal of naturopathic medicine is prevention. This approach to health care can prevent minor illnesses from developing into more chronic or degenerative diseases. The emphasis is based on building health and strengthening the body and its systems rather than on just fighting disease. It is the responsibility of both the doctor and patient to create a healthier internal and external environment in which to live to prevent major illnesses from developing.