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Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary
health care - an art, science, philosophy and practice of
diagnosing, treating and preventing disease. Naturopathic
medicine's techniques include modern, traditional,
scientific and empirical methods. Six principles of healing
form the foundation for naturopathic medical practice.
THE
HEALING POWER OF NATURE (vis medicatrix naturae)
- The healing process is ordered and intelligent. The
body has the inherent ability - the vitality - not only
to heal itself and restore health, but also to ward off
disease. Illness is not caused simply by an invasion of
external agents or germs, but is a manifestation of the
organism's attempt to defend and heal itself. The
physician's role is to identify and remove agents
blocking the healing process, bolster the patient's
healing capacity, and support the creation of a healthy
internal and external environment.
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- TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON (tolle
totum)
- Health and disease result from a complex interaction
of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, spiritual,
environmental, social, and other factors. The harmonious
functioning of all aspects of the individual is
essential to health. Within the body, the different
systems are intimately connected, dynamically balanced.
"Dis-ease" or imbalance in one part directly
affects - may cause disease in - other parts of that
whole. There is never a single cause for disease. All of
the "pieces" must be integrated in order to
create a whole picture of an individual and her/his
illness. Therapy then can be directed at underlying as
well as immediate causative factors, thus treating the
whole person.
FIRST
DO NO HARM (primum non nocere)
Respecting the inherent ability of the organism to
heal itself, the physician must be ever mindful of the
consequences or side effects of treatment. The more
gentle and non-invasive the therapy, the less disruptive
it will be to the patient's integral whole. Whenever
possible, suppression of symptoms is avoided, as
suppression may interfere with the healing process.
IDENTIFY
AND TREAT THE CAUSE (tolle causum)
Illness does not occur without cause, and symptoms
(nausea, rash, headache) are not the cause of illness.
Symptoms are signals that the body is out of balance and
are an expression of the body's attempt to heal itself.
Causes originate on many levels, but are often found in
the patient's lifestyle, diet, habits, or emotional
state. When only the symptoms are treated, the
underlying causes remain, and the patient may develop a
more serious, chronic condition.
PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE (prevenio)
Health is a reflection of how we choose to live.
Physicians help patients recognize their choices and how
those choices affect their health. The physician
assesses risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to
disease and makes appropriate intervention to prevent
illness.
DOCTOR AS TEACHER (docere)
The original meaning of the word "doctor"
was "teacher". A physician is a facilitator
for a patient's healing process. One of a physician's
principal responsibilities is to educate the patient and
encourage self-responsibility for health. A cooperative
doctor-patient relationship has inherent therapeutic
value.
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