What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine is more than a field of healthcare, it is a philosophy of life. Emphasis is placed on disease prevention and treating the whole person: mental, emotional and physical. Naturopathic doctors encourage and educate individuals to take an active role in their health.  In Washington State, Naturopathic doctors are licensed as primary health care physicians and provide specialized care focusing on both conventional diagnostics and standards of care, as well as, traditional methods of healing. The principles of naturopathic medicine guide practitioners in our philosophy of person-centered care and finding the root cause of illness. This is part of what distinguishes the naturopathic approach from conventional medicine. The following principles are the foundation of Naturopathic Medicine:  

The Healing Power of Nature   
Vis Medicatrix Naturae

Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles keeping people sick, in order to facilitate the bodies inherent self-healing process. In order to bring someone to health, each individual's vital force, the Vis, also known as Chi/Qi ior prana in other healing practices, must be nourished and supported for a person to heal. 

First Do No Harm   
Primum Non Nocere

This principle instructs a physician to start with the least invasive treatments, progressing to more invasive treatments such as pharmaceuticals or surgeries as needed to return the body back to health. The initial steps  starts with prevention of disease, supporting the Vis and correcting structural issues. 

Treat the Cause   
Tolle Causam

Underlying causes of illness must be identified and removed before complete recovery can occur.  Naturopathic physicians seek to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than suppress the presenting symptoms. Symptom control is an essential part of maintaining quality of life but cannot return a person to a healthy state.

Treat the Whole Person  
Tolle Totum

Naturopathic physicians treat individuals by taking into account each physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors specific to each patient and their chief concerns. 

In my opinion, optimal health also includes spiritual health. Naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development in an effort to establish a solid foundation for healing to take place however they feel called.

Doctor as Teacher   
Docere

The original meaning of the word “doctor” is teacher. For naturopathic physicians, this means providing information based on clinical training to promote self-responsibility for ones own health. Naturopathic physicians acknowledge and value the therapeutic relationship between patient and doctor and work to meet people where they are in their healing journey.

Prevention

Prevention is key. Far easier than cure after contracting an illness is prevention of the illness in the first place. Family history, genetic and environmental risk factors as well as lifestyle are taken into account to help patients prevent illnesses they are at most risk for developing. 

All of the above principles lead patients to a place of Wellness...

Wellness follows the establishment and maintenance of optimum health and balance. Wellness is characterized by positive emotion, thought and action.  Wellness is inherent in everyone, no matter what diseases are part of an individuals history. 

Resources

1.  Bastyr University catalog

2.  AANP Naturopathic Principles 
Disclaimer: Information is for health education only and is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease or medical condition. Always see your health care provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Information on herbs and supplements has not been evaluated by the FDA. All photographs were taken by and are property of Alicia Spalding