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Introduction to Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is the art and science of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease using natural therapies with a focus on optimizing health and well-being through individualized patient care and public education. Naturopathic Doctors are trained as primary health care providers with a minimum of seven years post-secondary education, including three years of university pre-medical sciences and successful completion of an accredited four-year medical program. Standardized licensing exams are carried out throughout North America to secure proper registration and legislation of the profession. The various therapeutic options, the "tools", in Naturopathic Medicine allow for an individualized treatment plan for each patient, with the primary goal being to restore health. A Naturopathic Doctor will assess the complete symptom picture of a patient to attempt to understand the various systems that need support and then to move forward into treatment options.

The Six Principles of Naturpathic Medicine

  • 1. Primum non nocere

    do no harm, effective health care with the least risk for all patients

  • 2. Vis medicatrix naturae

    healing power of nature, respect and promote self-healing

  • 3. Tolle causum

    treat the cause, identify and remove causes, avoid suppression of symptoms

  • 4. Docere

    doctor as teacher, educate patients, inspire rational hope, encourage self-responsibility

  • 5. Treat the whole person

    each person is unique with their own factors effecting their health

  • 6. Health promotion is the best prevention

    well-being includes health individually, in the community and globally