Naturopathic medicine blends centuries-old natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health and medicine, covering all aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care. Naturopathic medicine concentrates on whole-patient wellness- the medicine is tailored to the patient and emphasizes prevention and self-care. Naturopathic medicine attempts to find the underlying cause of the patient’s condition rather than focusing solely on symptomatic treatment. Naturopathic Physicians cooperate with all other branches of medical science referring patients to other practitioners for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate.
Scope of Practice
The current scope of naturopathic practice includes but is not limited to: Clinical Nutrition Food is the best medicine. Many medical conditions can be treated more effectively with foods and nutritional supplements than they can be by other means, with fewer complications and side effects. Botanical Medicine Many plant substances are powerful medicines. Botanical medicines are able to address a variety of problems simultaneously. Botanicals are compatible with the body’s own chemistry; hence, they can be gently effective with few toxic side effects. Homeopathic Medicine Homeopathic medicine is based on the principle of “like cures like.” It works on a subtle yet powerful electromagnetic level, gently acting to strengthen the body’s healing and immune response. Physical Medicine Naturopathic Medicine has its own methods of therapeutic manipulation of muscles, bones and spine. Ultrasound, diathermy, exercise, massage, water, heat and cold, air, gentle electrical pulses are also used. Psychological Medicine Mental attitudes and emotional states may influence, or even cause, physical illness. Counseling, nutritional balancing, stress management, hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and other therapies are used to help patients heal on the psychological level. Minor Surgery Naturopathic physicians may do in office surgery including repair of superficial wounds, removal of foreign bodies, cysts, and other superficial masses.
Six Underlying Principles of Healing
The Healing Power of Nature The body has the inherent ability to establish, maintain and restore health. The physician’s role is to facilitate the process, identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery and support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment. Identify And Treat The Cause Illness does not occur without cause. Underlying causes of disease must be discovered and removed or treated before a person can recover completely from illness. First Do No Harm Illness is a purposeful process of the organism. The physician should try to avoid or minimize methods designed to suppress symptoms without removing underlying causes. Treat The Whole Person Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism, a whole involving a complex interaction of physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. The physician must take all these factors into account. The Physician as Teacher The physician’s major role it to educate and encourage the patient to take responsibility for health. It is the patient, not the doctor, who ultimately creates and accomplishes healing. Prevention The ultimate goal of any health care system should be prevention. This is accomplished through the education and promotion of life habits that create good health. The emphasis is on building health rather than on fighting disease.