About » Naturopathic Philosophy

Naturopathic medicine is primary care medicine with a holistic approach and an emphasis on natural therapies. The goal of naturopathic medicine is to facilitate the body’s abilities to heal itself. Toward that goal, naturopathic doctors treat patients as active participants in their health care, and help empower patients to reach and maintain optimum health. Naturopathic medical practice focuses on each patient as an individual, treating underlying causes of illness in addition to relieving symptoms, in order to recover and maintain lasting wellness. Naturopathic medicine addresses the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—to find the safest, least invasive, effective treatments necessary to correct health problems.

Naturopathic Physicians are guided by the following principles:

  1. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Nature)
    Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent 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.
  2. Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
    The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.
  3. First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
    Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient:
    • Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects.
    • Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.
    • Acknowledge and respect the individual’s healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.
  4. Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
    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. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual path.
  6. Prevention
    Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.