Naturopathic Medicine is a distinctive philosophy of medicine that recognizes the integrity of the whole person. Naturopathic Medicine is heir to the vitalistic tradition of medicine in the Western world, emphasizing the treatment of disease through the stimulation, enhancement, and support of the inherent healing capacity of the person. Methods of treatments are chosen to work with the patient's vital force, respecting the intelligence of the natural healing process. The practice of Naturopathic Medicine emerges from six underlying principles of healing. These principles are based on the objective observation of the nature of health and disease, and are continually reexamined in light of scientific analysis. It is these principles that distinguish Naturopathic Medicine from other medical approaches.
- The Healing Power of Nature – Vis Medicatrix Naturae. Naturopathic Medicine recognizes an inherent ordered and intelligent self-healing process in each person. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process by supporting the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.
- Identify and Treat the Cause, Tolle Causam – The Naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms the patient is experiencing. Illness tends not to occur without a cause and health can not occur until the underlying cause of the disease is removed. Symptoms are expressions of the body’s attempt to heal many times and should be considered an expression of the disease not something to suppress.
- First Do No Harm, Primum Non Nocere – Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to ensure noninvasive treatment of the patient. First is to utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize risk of harmful side-effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat. Secondly to avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms. Lastly to 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. The physician is a catalyst for healthful change, empowering and motivating the patient to assume responsibility. It is the patient, not the doctor, who ultimately creates/accomplishes healing. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor/patient relationship.
- Treat the Whole Person – Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account an individual’s physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual, and other factors that contribute to one’s health. The harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual is essential to recovery from and prevention of disease, and requires a personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.
- Prevention – Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease-assessing factors, heredity, and susceptibility to disease, and work towards making the appropriate decisions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. The emphasis is on building health rather than on fighting disease.
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