Philosophy of Naturopathic
Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a
distinct medical system of
health care which encompasses
the art and science of
diagnosing, treating, and
preventing disease. Naturopathic
physicians seek to restore and
maintain optimal health.
Naturopathic medicine honors
patients as unique human beings,
enabling them to take
responsibility for their own
health. Naturopathic physicians
are health facilitators,
providing evaluations,
assessment, and recommendations
for patients who are committed
to adapting healthier
lifestyles. The precepts that
guide the practice of
naturopathic medicine include
the Seven Principles of
Naturopathic Medicine; The
Therapeutic Order, and The
Components of Patient Centered
Care.
NATUROPATHIC PRINCIPLES
Seven principles guide the
therapeutic methods and
modalities of naturopathic
medicine.
-
First
Do No Harm - primum non
nocere. Naturopathic
medicine uses therapies that
are safe and effective.
-
The
Healing Power of Nature -
vis medicatrix naturae. The
human body possesses the
inherent ability to restore
health. The physician’s role
is to facilitate this
process with the aid of
natural, nontoxic therapies.
-
Discover and Treat the
Cause, Not Just the Effect -
tolle causam Physicians seek
and treat the underlying
cause of a disease. Symptoms
are viewed as expressions of
the body’s natural attempt
to heal. The origin of
disease is removed or
treated so the patient can
recover.
-
Treat
the Whole Person - tolle
totum. The multiple factors
in health and disease are
considered while treating
the whole person. Physicians
provide flexible treatment
programs to meet individual
health care needs.
-
The
Physician is a Teacher –
docere. The physician’s
major role is to educate,
empower, and motivate
patients to take
responsibility for their own
health. Creating a healthy,
cooperative Relationship
with the patient has a
strong therapeutic value.
-
Prevention is the best
“cure” - praevenire.
Naturopathic physicians are
preventive medicine
specialists. Physicians
assess patient risk factors
and heredity susceptibility
and intervene appropriately
to reduce risk and prevent
illness. Prevention of
disease is best accomplished
through education and a
lifestyle that supports
health.
-
Wellness – Salus. Establish
or re-establish health and
well-being
THERAPEUTIC
ORDER
-
Re-establish the basis for
health
-
Remove
obstacles to cure by
establishing a healthy
regimen
-
Stimulate the healing power
of nature
-
Use
various systems of health
such as Botanicals,
Homeopathy, Chinese
Medicine, Ayurvedic
Medicine, Nutrition and
Psychology
-
Tonify
weakened systems
-
Use
modalities to strengthen the
immune system, decrease
toxicity, normalize
inflammatory function,
optimize metabolic function,
balance regulatory systems,
enhance regeneration, and
harmonize life force
-
Correct
structural integrity
-
Use
therapeutic exercise, spinal
manipulation, massage and
cranial-sacral therapy to
restore optimal structural
function
-
Prescribe specific natural
substances for pathology
-
Use
vitamins, minerals, and
herbs to return to and
promote health
-
Prescribe pharmacotherapy
for pathology
-
Use
pharmaceutical drugs to
return to and promote health
-
Prescribe surgery
-
Use
aggressive therapies to
attempt to maintain health
Taken from “A Hierarchy of
Healing: The Therapeutic Order”
Pamela Snider, ND;
Jared Zeff , ND, Lac; and
Stephen Myers, ND, BMed, PhD.
COMPONENTS OF
“PATIENT- CENTERED CARE”
-
Exploring the disease and
the patient’s illness
experience
-
Understanding the whole
person
-
Finding
common ground with the
patient regarding treatment
options
-
Incorporating prevention and
health promotion
-
Enhancing the doctor-patient
relationship
-
Being
realistic
Adapted from: Huang, WY. Fam Med
2002;34(9):644-5
