About Naturopathic Medicine
​"Naturopathic medicine is a distinct health care profession that combines the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained as primary care providers who diagnose, treat and manage patients with acute and chronic conditions, while addressing disease and dysfunction at the level of body, mind and spirit.
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NDs concentrate on whole patient wellness through health promotion and disease prevention, while addressing the underlying cause of the patient’s condition. They provide individualized, evidence-informed therapies that balance the least harmful and most effective approaches in order to help facilitate the body’s inherent ability to restore and maintain optimal health."
~Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges
Benefits of Naturopathy
Significantly more time with the doctor
Solutions aimed at resolving the root cause of health issues
Treat the whole-person - mind, body, spirit
Stimulate the body to heal itself
Patient empowered health
Individualized care plan
Gain an understanding of how your body works
Improved quality of life
Preventative health
Six Naturopathic Principles
First Do No Harm
NDs typically approach care by utilizing the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies. NDs will refer when the patient’s presentation is outside their scope or level of skill.
Healing Power of Nature
NDs recognize the value of our natural world in assisting the healing process. They utilize substances that originate in nature and incorporate a healthy natural environment as foundational to human health. Naturopathic doctors recognize and harness the body’s inherent wisdom to heal itself in order to guide patients to wellness and total health.
Doctor as Teacher
Naturopathic doctors elevate patient health literacy. That means that NDs are part of the team helping patients have a better understanding of what it takes to be and stay well. Through education and a trust-based relationship, patients better understand the steps they need to take to achieve and maintain health.
Identify and Treat the Causes
There is a time and place for symptom suppression, however most naturopathic patients will benefit from identifying the underlying causes of illness and removing obstacles to cure.
Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic doctors understand the interconnectedness of our body, our environment and our lifestyle on total health. It is only through this whole-person-based approach that NDs seek to restore balance and health.
Prevention
Naturopathic medicine affirms that it is better to prevent illness and suffering whenever possible. Through their comprehensive practice, NDs combine all six principles in order to identify potential areas of imbalance and teach patients how to get well and stay well.
The Therapeutic Order
A set of guidelines to help naturopathic doctors completely resolve the patient's symptoms and address the underlying cause while using the least force necessary.
1. Determinants of health - Establish the foundation for optimum health
2. Stimulate self-healing - the healing power of nature
3. Aid damaged organs - Support and restore weakened systems
4. Address physical alignment - Restore structural integrity to the body
5. Natural symptom relief - Natural symptom control
6. Synthetic symptom relief - Synthetic symptom control
7. High force interventions - Suppress pathology