Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

 

Naturopathic Medicine is defined by its 6 fundamental healing principles:

 

• First do no harm: Naturopathic doctors follow three guidelines to ensure their patient’s safety:

  • Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat;

  • Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms;

  • Acknowledge, respect, and work with the individual’s self-healing process.

 

• The healing power of nature: Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in each person. Naturopathic doctors work to support this by recognizing and removing obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.

 

• Identify and treat the cause: Naturopathic doctors seek to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness. They understand the importance of treating the root cause of disease, rather than suppressing symptoms.

 

• Treat the whole person: Naturopathic doctors take the time to understand each person’s unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social factors that contribute to one’s state of health. This allows naturopathic doctors to tailor individual treatment protocols to each patient.

 

• Doctor as teacher: Naturopathic doctors educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

 

• Prevention is the best medicine: Naturopathic doctors emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, and recommending appropriate interventions to maintain health and prevent illness.