The principles of
naturopathic medicine unite the profession. Naturopathic doctors are trained to
combine the understanding of technological advances in medical science
with the healing arts of herbs, homeopathy, nutrition and acupressure.
This powerful combination eliminates the need for pharmaceutical medications and
many surgeries. The following principles are the
foundation that our naturopathic medical practice is built upon.
The Healing Power of
Nature
Vis
Medicatrix Naturae
Nature acts powerfully
through healing mechanisms in the body and mind to maintain and restore health.
Naturopathic Physicians work to restore and support these inherent systems when
they have broken down, by using methods, medicines and techniques that are in
harmony with natural processes.
First Do No Harm
Primum
Non Nocere
Naturopathic Physicians
prefer non-invasive treatments which minimize the risks of harmful side effects.
They are trained to know which patients they can treat safely and which ones
they need to refer to other health care practitioners.
Find the Cause
Tolle
Causam
Every illness has an
underlying cause, often in aspects of the lifestyle, diet or habits of the
individual. A Naturopathic Physician is trained to find and remove the
underlying cause of a disease.
Treat the Whole Person
Health or disease comes
from a complex interaction of physical, emotional, dietary, genetic,
environmental, lifestyle and other factors. Naturopathic Physicians treat the
whole person, taking these factors into account.
Preventive Medicine
The naturopathic
approach to health care can prevent minor illnesses from developing into more
serious or chronic degenerative diseases. Patients are taught the principles
with which to live a healthy life and, by following these principles, they can
prevent major illnesses.
Wellness
Establishing and
maintaining optimum health and balance. Wellness is a state of being healthy,
characterized by positive emotion, thought and action. Wellness is inherent in
everyone, no matter what dis-ease(s) are being experienced. If wellness is
really recognized and experienced by an individual, it will more quickly heal a
given dis-ease than direct treatment of the dis-ease alone.
Doctor as Teacher
Docere
The original meaning of
the word "doctor" is teacher. A principle objective of naturopathic
medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health.
Naturopathic Physicians also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of
the doctor-patient relationship.
