What are the Principles of Naturopathic Medicine?

1. Healing Power of Nature
Naturopathic physicians utilize the healing power of nature to facilitate the body’s own healing process. Their role is to facilitate and augment this process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and wellness.

2. First Do No Harm
Naturopathic physicians prefer to use non-invasive treatments which minimize the risk of harmful side-effect. They treat the cause of disease rather than merely eliminating or suppressing symptoms.

3. Identify and Treat the Cause
Naturopathic physicians recognize that health and disease result from a complex of physical, mental, emotion, genetic, environmental, and social factors. All facets of a patient must be considered in order to identify and treat the cause.

4. Doctor as Teacher
Naturopathic physician primary role as educator assist the self-empowerment of their patients to take responsibility for their health and to make choices that positively impact their health and well-being.

5. Treat the Whole Person
To facilitate healing, it is vital to address all levels of an individual that may impact their health. Therefore, the Naturopathic physician recognizes that health and disease result from a complex of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social factors. All facets must be considered in order to treat the whole person.

6. Preventive Medicine
Naturopathic physicians are specialists in preventative medicine. It is their primary goal to assess individual risk factors and not only maintain health, but optimize health. This is done by education and encouragement of a lifestyle that supports health and prevents disease.