Naturopathic Medicine: How It Works

Naturopathic doctors are guided in their treatment decisions by the idea that it is the nature of all things to return to balance; it is the nature of organisms: plants, animals, and people to heal. The naturopathic doctor understands illness as a series of events that can be changed, or redirected towards this dependable natural order and balance, with help. The following principles are the foundation of naturopathic medical practice:

The Principles That Guide Naturopathic Medicine

The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix naturae): There aren't many words in Western medicine for the inner wisdom that guides internal physical processes that lead to health and wellness. Naturopathic medicine calls this internal wisdom the healing power of nature, in Latin: the vis medicatrix naturae.   Naturopathic medicine recognizes that this inherent self-healing process in the person 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 (Tolle Causam): When confronted with illness, the naturopathic physician looks for what in the patient's life is most out of balance. The doctor works with a patient to discern the underlying cause of the problem. In order to identify and remove the underlying cause of the illness (tolle causum), the naturopathic physician must treat the whole system rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): Naturopathic physicians understand that treatments used should never further damage the ill person, whenever possible. This is expressed as primum non nocere, or the promise to first try the treatments that offer maximal help with minimal harm. 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.
• Acknowledge, respect and work with the individuals self-healing process.

Doctor As Teacher (Docere): To assist in ridding the client of harm from insults and stresses, the doctor becomes a teacher (docere), offering information that allows them to be a partner in recovery. 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: Working in a partnership with a naturopathic physician helps each patient develop routines and behaviors that breed health and balance in the future -when efforts at prevention become the focus of their doctor’Äìpatient relationship.   Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine is committed to the creation of a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.