Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of primary care that addresses the root cause of illness and promotes health and healing using natural therapies, including:

As highly educated primary care providers, Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) integrate standard medical diagnostics with a practice philosophy that views the individual holistically, incorporating the physiological, psychological, social, spiritual, environmental and lifestyle factors that affect us all. NDs seek to restore and maintain optimum health by emphasizing nature’s inherent self-healing process.

Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

First, to do no harm (Primum non nocere)
Naturopathic medicine strives to use methods that minimize the risk of harmful side effects and the suppression of symptoms, while using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat.

Co-operate with the healing power of nature (Vis medicatrix naturae)
The practice of Naturopathic Medicine recognizes an ordered and intelligent self-healing process inherent in every individual. NDs work to identify and remove obstacles to healing and to facilitate this natural self-healing process.

Address the fundamental causes of disease (Tolle causam)
The primary goal of NDs is to determine and treat the underlying cause of disease rather than simply managing or suppressing the symptoms. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body’s natural attempt to heal and are important indicators of where the body needs to be supported and corrected.

Heal the whole person through individualized medicine
Each person is unique and requires individualized care. Disease affects the entire person, not just a specific organ or system. The physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors contributing to the health of each individual patient are thoroughly considered.

Teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine (Doctor as teacher – Docere)
NDs work collaboratively with patients by sharing knowledge and information, emphasizing prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility in each patient. Patients are encouraged to take responsibility for their complete well-being. NDs also strive to share knowledge with their greater community, in order to create a healthier world.