The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
The Healing Power of Nature: Vis Medicatrix Naturae
Nature acts powerfully through healing mechanisms in the body and mind to maintain and restore health. Naturopathic physicians work to restore and support these inherent healing systems when they have broken down by using methods, medicines, and techniques that are in harmony with natural processes.
First Do No Harm: Primum Non Nocere
Naturopathic physicians prefer noninvasive treatments that minimize the risks of harmful side effects. They are trained to know which patients they can treat safely and which ones they must refer to other health care practitioners.
Find the Cause: Tolle Causam
Every illness has an underlying cause, often in aspects of the lifestyle, diet, or habits of the individual. A naturopathic physician is trained to find and remove the underlying cause of a disease.
Doctor as Teacher: Docere
A principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health. Naturopathic physicians also recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.
Treat the Whole Person
Health or disease comes from a complex interaction of physical, emotional, dietary, genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and other factors. Naturopathic physicians treat the whole person, taking all of these factors into account.
Preventive Medicine
The naturopathic approach to health care can prevent minor illnesses from developing into more serious or chronic degenerative diseases. Patients are taught the principles with which to live a healthy life; by following these principles they can prevent major illnesses.