Naturopathic medicine is a unique primary health care specialty.  Naturopathy embodies a special practice of medicine that incorporates a unique philosophy of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illness.  There are core principles that Naturopathic physicians follow in treating their patients old and young alike.  These principles reflect a respect for the traditional observations of the nature of disease, along with the most recent in scientific advances.  The methods used for each patient are based on that patient's individual needs with a focus on integrating mind, body, and soul in the treatment process.  

 

The following principles are the foundation of naturopathic medical practice: 
 

• The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in people that is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.

• Identify and Treat the Causes (ToIle Causam): The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms. 

• First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere):Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient:

  • Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat; 

  • Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms; and

  • Acknowledge, respect, and work with individuals’ self-healing process. 

• Doctor as Teacher (Docere): Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship. 

• Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development. 

• Prevention: Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and by making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness.

 

 

 

Naturopaths are trained as primary health care physicians with a unique set of tools to treat you and your family.  A licensed naturopathic physician (ND) attends a four-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school and is educated in all of the same basic sciences as an MD, but also studies holistic and nontoxic approaches to therapy with a strong emphasis on disease prevention and optimizing wellness. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, the naturopathic physician also studies clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology, and counseling. A naturopathic physician takes rigorous professional board exams so that he or she may be licensed by a state or jurisdiction as a primary care general practice physician. Please see the AANMC’s Professional Competency Profile for more information. Additional information on naturopathic schools can be found on the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges Web site.