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About Naturopathy
Principles and Philosophy of
Naturopathic Medicine
These principles form the characteristic
foundation and core of Naturopathic medicine.
Naturopathic doctors aim to integrate every one
of these principles into all aspects of
diagnosis and treatment.
1.
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae):
In every living organism there
exists an inherent ability of the body, mind and
spirit to heal itself. Naturopathic doctors
stimulate this innate healing power by using
methods that are in harmony with this natural
process.
2.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere):
Naturopathic doctors choose the least invasive,
most non-toxic treatment that will restore
health. This minimizes harmful side effects and
avoids the simple suppression of symptoms.
3.
Identify and Treat the Cause of Disease (Tolle
Causam):
Whereas conventional medicine focuses on
alleviating symptoms, Naturopathic medicine uses
these symptoms as a guide to identify the
underlying cause of illness. It is only through
removal of the cause that complete health can be
restored.
4.
Treat the Whole Person:
Disease process results from a complex
interaction of mental, emotional, physical,
spiritual, genetic, social and environmental
factors. Naturopathic doctors consider all of
these factors in each patient, in order to most
optimally individualize treatment of the whole
person.
5.
Emphasize Prevention:
At no other time in history has preventive
medicine been so critical to one's health as it
is today. In today's world, more stressors are
impinging upon our lives than ever before, from
hectic lifestyles to toxins present in our food,
air and water. Naturopathic doctors teach their
patients how to avoid these stressors, thereby
helping them maximize health and prevent chronic
disease.
6.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere):
Naturopathic doctors act as guides for their
patients, empowering them to take responsibility
for their own health. As teachers, they help the
patient fully understand their disease process
and the rationale for treatments prescribed.
Natural Therapies Utilized by
Naturopathic Doctors
Clinical Nutrition:
Nowadays it is common knowledge that diet and
nutrition affect health. Naturopathic doctors
not only teach the components of a healthy diet
but also recommend dietary changes and
nutritional supplementation that are specific to
a particular condition.
Botanical (Herbal) Medicine:
Herbal remedies have been used by all cultures
since the beginning of time. Many modern
pharmaceutical drugs are derived from plants,
but the plants are altered, refined, and
synthetically produced. Naturopathic doctors
believe the unaltered, natural form of the plant
provides the most desirable medicinal response
with fewer to no side effects.
Diet & Lifestyle Counseling:
Naturopathic doctors help you identify, set and
achieve goals to create a healthy lifestyle and
diet as well as avoid environmental risk
factors. They are trained to foster the
therapeutic relationship through active,
empathic listening, identifying major and minor
psychological issues and employing treatment.
Homeopathy:
Homeopathy is a form of medicine that utilizes
dilute, potentized remedies made from plant,
animal and mineral substances. It is based on
two fundamental principles:
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The greater the dilution of a remedy the more
powerful are its medicinal effects.
-
Like cures like, which means a dilute, potentized
substance will produce the same symptoms as
the disease when given to a healthy person.
CranioSacral Therapy:
Craniosacral therapy is a hands-on approach that
involves "listening with the fingers" to the
body’s subtle rhythms and any patterns of
inertia and congestion. The emphasis of
treatment is to encourage and enhance the body's
own self-healing and self-regulating
capabilities, even in the most acute
pathologies.
Hydrotherapy:
Hydrotherapy is an ancient method of treatment
using water in any of its forms (hot or cold,
ice or steam) to treat a wide range of disease
conditions. Naturopathic doctors are trained in
a broad variety of hydrotherapy techniques
including sauna, immersion bath, hot/cold packs,
colonic irrigation, sitz bath, shower, etc.
Light Therapy
A unique therapy from Germany
that uses specific frequencies of light applied
to acupuncture and other points on the body to
reestablish proper cellular function and
communication.
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