The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

Guiding Principles

Ok, now i'm going to discuss the meat, "bones" as they say of what we do. That is our "principles", our core philosophy. Naturopathic Physicians base their practice on six timeless principles founded on medical tradition and scientific evidence.

I. "Vis Medicatrix Naturae" (The healing power of nature)- Let nature heal. Mother Nature knows what she's doing. That is why our bodies have such a powerful, innate instinct for self-healing. By finding and removing the barriers to this self-healing---such as poor diet or unhealthy habits---naturopathic physicians can nurture this process. 

II. "Tolle Causum" (Identify and treat cause) Naturopathic Physicians understand that symptoms will only return unless the root illness is addressed rather than cover up symptoms, they seek to find and treat the cause of these symptoms.

III. "Primum non nocere" (First Do no Harm) Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to ensure their patients safety:

•  Use low-risk procedures and healing compounds---such as dietary supplements, herbal extracts and  homeopathy---with few or no side effects
• When possible, do not suppress symptoms, which are the body's efforts to self-heal. For example,    the body may cook up a fever in a reaction to a bacterial or viral infection. Fever creates an inhospitable environment for these harmful pathogens, thereby destroying them. Of course, the naturopathic physician would not allow the fever to get dangerously high.
•  Customize each diagnosis and treatment plan to fit each patient. We all heal in different ways and the  naturopathic physician respects our differences.

IV. "Docere" (Educate Patients). Naturopathic medicine believes that doctors must be educators as well as physicians. That’s why naturopathic physicians teach their patients how to eat, exercise, relax and nurture themselves physically and emotionally. They also encourage self-responsibility and work closely with each patient.

V. "Tolle Totum" (treat the whole person). We’re not just a gallbladder or kidney stone or arthritic hip. We each have a unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, sexual and spiritual makeup. The naturopathic physician knows that all these factors affect our health. That’s why he or she includes them in a carefully tailored treatment strategy.

VI. Prevention. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” has never been truer. Proactive medicine save money, pain, misery and lives. That’s why naturopathic physicians evaluate risk factors, heredity and vulnerability to disease. By getting treatment for greater wellness, we’re less likely to need treatment for future illnesses. 

     

​Changes are Slower, but Longer lasting...
​Natural Medicine takes time. Because the influence of Naturopathic treatments can be subtle and gradual, it may take weeks or months to feel a significant difference in some cases. After all many chronic ailments don't develop overnight (why would they leave in as much?).

Well, That's all. Next time I'm going to step away from the philosophy for a moment. February is Heart Health month so its only fitting that we discuss some things help keep your "Ticker" healthy!