Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is a system of medicine that encourages the importance of prevention and supports the body’s innate healing abilities for total wellness. Naturopathic physicians are trained to diagnose and treat many common ailments while supporting the entire person and aiming to treat the underlying cause of disease. The goal of naturopathy is to explore issues like diet, lifestyle and a comprehensive medical history from a holisitic perspective and to utilize the least invasive therapies in order to bring about health.

Naturopathic Principles

Naturopathic Medicine is based on fundamental principles that guide practitioners in their treatment and care of patients. These six principles are the basis to the unique perspective taken by Naturopathic physicians in their understanding of health and wellness.

• The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Nature)
  This belief recognizes the inherent ability of the body to return to order once obstacles to cure are removed.
• Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
  Uncovering the root cause and addressing the fundamental imbalance, rather than just treating symptoms is the ultimate goal to cure.
• First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
  One must take into consideration the person’s vital force prior to deciding on a therapeutic approach and aim to use therapies with the least invasive force possible.
• Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
  The ultimate goal of Naturopathic Medicine is to empower each individual to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing. Patient education is paramount in order for this to occur.
• Treat the Whole Person
  Health is derived from balance in our physical, emotional, spiritual and social realms. Each of these spheres in our personal life must be cared for and naturopathic medicine recognizes the importance of this.
• The Importance of Prevention
  Health is not just the avoidance of disease, but also the attainment of overall wellness. Taking care of ourselves in the present creates a future of abundant health.

Naturopathic therapeutic modalities:

• Nutrition
• Lifestyle Modifications
• Botanical Medicine
• Homeopathy
• Physical Medicine

Naturopathic medicine utilizes gentle, effective physical modalities to strengthen the immune system, promote detoxification and bring about general wellness. Physical medicine can support the body’s inherent abilities to recover from infections, chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalance, chronic pelvic pain, and support natural elimination processes. Physical medicine may include massage, muscle energy stretching (MES), application of therapeutic abdominal compresses and plasters, and constitutional hydrotherapy.