What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is a style of medicine that focuses on pro-active prevention and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment to promote health.  Naturopathic therapies are often used to complement pharmaceutical or surgical treatments.  Non-invasive therapies commonly used include:

•Clinical nutrition
•Botanical medicine
•Hydrotherapy
•Physical medicine
•Vitamin and mineral therapy
•Homeopathy
•Counseling

As Naturopathic Doctors, we are licensed primary care physicians trained in prevention, diagnosis, management and treatment of acute and chronic health conditions. We are trained at an accredited four-year, post-graduate, residential naturopathic medical program.  We receive over 1,100 hours of clinical training managing patient health care and are required to pass extensive post-graduate board exams in order to obtain our medical license. Although naturopathic doctors can perform minor surgery and prescribe prescription medications, our main emphasis involves using more natural therapies.  Our approaches are guided by our naturopathic principles, which are described in detail below.

The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

1.First Do No Harm

Naturopathic physicians utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects.  We avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.  We acknowledge and respect the individual’s healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.

2. The Healing Power of Nature

Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent healing ability in the body which is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to recovery and to facilitate and augment this healing ability.

3. Identify and Treat Causes

The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.

4. Doctor as Teacher

Naturopathic physicians educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.

5. Treat the Whole Person

Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors.

6. Prevention

Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease, making appropriate interventions to prevent illness.