Naturopathic medicine (also known as naturopathy or natural medicine) is a complementary and alternative medicine that emphasizes the body's intrinsic ability to heal and maintain itself. Naturopaths use natural remedies such as herbs and foods rather than surgery or synthetic drugs. Naturopathic practice includes many treatment modalities, with practitioners emphasizing a holistic approach to patient care. Naturopathy has its origins in the Nature Cure movement of Europe.

THE SIX PRINCIPLES OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

Naturopathic medicine is a truly holistic and integrative form of medicine that is identified by its foundation in six basic principles:

THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE

Naturopathic medicine recognizes the body’s inherent self-healing capacity. By identifying and removing the obstacles to healing – such as unhealthy behaviors - naturopathic physicians can help to facilitate this process.

IDENTIFY AND TREAT THE CAUSE
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying imbalances that cause illness, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

FIRST, DO NO HARM
Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to avoid harming the patient:
1.    Utilize treatments that minimize harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat, while maintaining accuracy and efficacy.
2.    Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms. Some symptoms, such as a fever, are the body’s way of protecting itself. Part of the doctor’s role is in recognizing when it is safe to allow the body’s processes to proceed, and when to intervene.
3.    Acknowledge, respect, and work with the individual’s self-healing process. Customize each treatment plan to fit each unique patient.

DOCTOR AS TEACHER
Naturopathic physicians encourage their patients to take responsibility for their health by educating them in how to make healthy lifestyle choices. We also believe that it is important to empower patients by helping them to understand the processes of disease and health.

TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON
Naturopathic physicians take into account an individual’s physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and spiritual aspects of health. 

PREVENTION
Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease: assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. By seeking greater wellness now, we can enjoy greater health in the future. Naturopathic medicine is committed to the creation of a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.  

WHAT IS A NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN?

A naturopathic physician is a general practitioner specializing in natural medicine. A naturopathic physician may be your primary source for family medical care, or work in conjunction with your other physicians.

Naturopathic physicians are general practitioners, and use many of the same diagnostic tools that a conventional medical doctor may use. These include routine physical examinations, blood and urine tests, imaging (x-ray, ultrasound, etc.), nutritional analysis, and orthopedic assessment. Once an assessment has been made, the naturopathic physician has a vast array of natural treatment options to draw upon, which are safe, effective, and work by using the body as an ally.

NATUROPATHIC THERAPIES:
•  Herbs
•  Dietary counseling
•  Nutritional supplementation
•  Hydrotherapy
•  Therapeutic exercise
•  Soft-tissue & joint manipulation
•  Homeopathy
•  Detoxification
•  Pharmaceutical prescriptions (when necessary)

CONDITIONS TREATED
Naturopathic physicians treat patients with a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions. Many patients have chronic conditions that are not very well addressed by the conventional medical system. Some patients are seeking advice on maximizing their health. Others simply want to treat their ailments naturally. Common conditions include: 

•  Pediatrics: ADHD, food allergies & sensitivities, ear infections, asthma, eczema, respiratory infections.
•  Skin: rashes, eczema, infections, acne, cradle cap, cold sores, shingles, psoriasis
•  Gastrointestinal: indigestion, irritable bowel, esophageal reflux (heartburn), yeast, parasites, hemorrhoids, ulcers
•  Cardiovascular: high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol
•  Women's Issues: breast cancer support & prevention, PMS, menopausal symptoms, pregnancy support, irregular menses
•  Endocrine: thyroid disorders, diabetes, hypoglycemia
•  Neurological: headaches, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, migraines
•  Autoimmune: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, sjogren’s, etc
•  Other: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, insomnia, cancer support, addiction support, acute and chronic infections