principles


The Six Principles of Naturopathic Medicine 
The Healing Power of Nature-Vis Medicatrix Naturae
In Naturopathic medicine, we recognizes the body as a complex and orderly system; a macrocosm, made up of infinite microcosms working in harmony to promote life, to promote health. We acknowledge and respect the innate, ordered and intelligent ability the body has to heal itself.  When you scrap your knee, what heals the cut? Our bodies know what to do.  Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to cure, and to facilitate and encourage this innate healing ability. Working with the body; not against it.
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. 
When the fire alarm goes off, do you take out the batteries or put out the fire?  Symptoms are the body’s way of telling us something is wrong.  In naturopathic medicine, we aim to find and treat the underlying cause, not just turn off the symptoms.  When the underlying cause is addressed, the symptoms will go away as well. 
First Do No Harm-Primum Non Nocere
Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient:
1.Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects
2. Avoid the harmful suppression of symptoms
3. Acknowledge and respect the individual's healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.
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. By empowering the patient and showing them the active role they can have in improving their health, naturopaths teach and guide the patient through their own healing journey
Treat the Whole Person- Tolle Totum
Naturopathic physicians treat each person as an individual, considering physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, spiritual and social factors.  All layers of the onion must be considered.
Healthy Natural Living & Prevention
Naturopathic physicians know that good health is dependent on your lifestyle. Healthy, natural living can provide immediate, as well as obvious, long term benefits. Chronic disease is the result of long term violations of nature’s laws, for example eating processed foods, sitting all day, high stress and over stimulating.  By emphasizing disease prevention, assessing of individual risk factors and hereditary susceptibility, we are then able to make appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.