What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a system of medicine that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. It emphasizes the use of natural modalities—such as nutrition, lifestyle counseling and botanical medicine—to promote wellness and treat illness.
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) work according to a set of basic principles—the Principles of Naturopathic Medicine—that include such things as stimulating the healing power of the body and addressing the underlying causes of disease, rather than focusing on alleviating symptoms. The practice of naturopathic medicine requires understanding illness within the context of a person’s whole life.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is distinguished by a set of core principles that underlie and determine every aspect of its practice.
First Do No Harm
Utilize the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies.
Identify and Treat the Causes
Look beyond symptoms to the underlying cause.
The Healing Power of Nature
Trust in the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.
Doctor as Teacher
Educate patients in the steps to achieve and maintain health.
Treat the Whole Person
View the body as an integrated whole in all its physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions.
Prevention
Focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.
The naturopathic approach emphasizes patient education and self-care. Naturopathic medicine can be used in conjunction with conventional medical therapies to support the body’s healing processes—an approach referred to as “integrative medicine.”