What is Naturopathic Medicine?

An Integrated Approach to Health Care

Naturopathic Physicians are:
Government recognized general practitioners with specialized training in natural therapies.

Naturopathic Physicians are trained in the conventional medical sciences and pathology to diagnose in a manner similar to medical doctors (MDs) but they are also trained to recognize and treat functional conditions that may precede or be a consequence of a disease. They use therapies from the sciences of clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, clinical psychology, acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. These approaches are toward the needs of each patient based on a history, consultation, and examination. Naturopathic medicine is effective in treating many health problems whether acute or chronic. Naturopathic physicians cooperate with all other branches of medicine, referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.

The following principles underlie and unify the approach of naturopathic practice:

THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE: (Vis Medicatrix Naturae) Nature acts powerfully through healing mechanisms in the body and mind to maintain and restore health.

FIND THE CAUSE: (Tolle causam) Every illness has an underlying cause, often in aspects of the lifestyle, diet, or habits of the individual.

FIRST DO NO HARM: (Primum non nocere) Naturopathic physicians prefer non-invasive treatments which minimize the risks of harmful side effects.

TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON: Health or disease come from a complex interaction of physical, emotional, dietary, genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and other factors.

PREVENTATIVE MEDICINE: The naturopathic approach to health care can prevent minor illnesses from developing into more serious or chronic degenerative diseases.