Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinctively natural approach to health and healing that recognizes the integrity of the whole person. Naturopathic medicine combines natural, nontoxic therapies with current advances in health and medicine. Naturopathic Doctors (ND) are the only practitioners trained in both traditional healing arts and modern medical science. Naturopathic physicians are primary care physicians clinically trained in a wide variety of natural therapeutics, adapted to each patient, with a focus on preventive and whole patient care.
Some therapies used by naturopathic physicians include:
Clinical Nutrition,
Homeopathy
Botanical Medicine
Physical Medicine
Natural Childbirth
Diagnosis
Minor Surgery
Counseling
Stress Management
Prescription Medicine
A few examples of acute and chronic general health concerns:
Allergies
Fatigue
Insomnia
Colds/Flu
Heart Disease
Acne
Endocrine Disorders
Headaches
GERD
Abnormal PAP results
Emotional Issues
Anxiety
PMS/Menopause
Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy
Weight Concerns
Naturopathic physicians perform physical examinations including gynecological care, order and interpret lab tests and diagnose and treat disease. They cooperate with all other branches of medical science, referring patients to other practitioners for treatment or diagnosis when appropriate.
Naturopathic Principles
The practice of Naturopathic Medicine emerges from six underlying principles of healing. It is these principles that distinguish the profession from other medical approaches.
First, Do No Harm ~ primum no nocere
The naturopathic physician must acknowledge and respect the individual’s healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness. Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects. Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.
The Healing Power of Nature ~ vis medicatrix naturae
The body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health. The physician's role is to facilitate this process, to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery and to support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.
Identify and Treat the Cause ~ tolle causam
Illness does not occur without cause. Symptoms are expressions of the body's attempt to heal, but are not the cause of disease. The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, on all levels, rather than to eliminate or suppress symptoms.
Treat the Whole Person ~ in pertubato animo sicut in corpore sanitas esse non potest
A core tenet of naturopathic medicine is the belief that health must go beyond treatment of the immediate symptoms, and instead treat the entire person's well being; including the physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and spiritual health.This is called the wholistic or holistic method.
Doctor as Teacher ~ docere
The role of the naturopathic physician is to educate and empower the patient while encouraging self-responsibility for health and wellness. A cooperative doctor-patient relationship has inherent therapeutic value. It is the patient, not the doctor, who ultimately creates and accomplishes healing.
Prevention ~ principiis obsta: sero medicina curatui
Prevention is accomplished through education and promoting healthy lifestyle habits that create optimal health and wellness. Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk and hereditary factors of disease and make appropriate interventions to prevent illness.
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