Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

The principles of naturopathic medicine unite the profession. The following principles are the foundation upon which naturopathic medical practice is built.

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 work "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.