Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Doctors work to restore and support the powerful and inherent healing ability of the body, mind, and spirit and to prevent further disease from occurring. Naturopathic Doctors identify and remove obstacles to recovery, facilitating and augmenting this ordered and intelligent healing ability.

Guiding Principles

Naturopathic Medicine follows three principles to avoid harming patients:

1. Use methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects.
2. Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms
3. Acknowledge and respect the individual’s healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.

Identify and Treat the Cause

The primary goal of a Naturopathic Doctor is to determine and treat the underlying cause rather than simply managing or suppressing their symptoms. The underlying cause may be due to diet, lifestyle habits, life events, posture, or environment. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of your body’s natural attempt to heal.

Treat the Whole Person

Each person is unique and requires individualized care. In treating the cause of any condition a Naturopathic Doctor takes into account not only your physical symptoms, but also mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual, and other factors. Disease affects the entire person, not just a specific organ or system. Your nutritional status, lifestyle, family history, feelings, environmental stresses, and physical health are all carefully evaluated and addressed.

Doctor as Teacher

Naturopathic Doctors will assist you in understanding health and illness. She/he will provide with an understanding of the factors that affect your health and help you balance and become more capable of maintaining your own health. Naturopathic Doctors also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship. (Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors)

Naturopathic Medicine (sometimes also called Naturopathy) is based on the belief that the body can heal itself. It aims to improve health, prevent disease, and treat illness through the use of organic foods and exercise; a healthy, balanced lifestyle; and the use of treatments from other areas of Complementary Medicine. (These treatments may include Ayurveda, Homeopathy, and Herbal Therapies.)

Naturopathic Medicine was developed in the late 1800s in the United States. Today, both Naturopathic Doctors and traditional Naturopaths practice Naturopathic Medicine. A licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) attends a 4-year, graduate-level naturopathic medical school where she or he studies basic sciences and therapies such as Herbal Medicine, Homeopathy, and bodywork. Naturopaths may attend training programs that vary in length and content, but they usually aren’t licensed.

Most Naturopathic Doctors and Naturopaths believe in natural therapies, such as Nutrition and Lifestyle Counselling. They may also suggest Herbal Medicines, Homeopathic dilutions, physical medication (for example, Therapeutic Massage) or nutritional supplements. In some provinces, Naturopathic Doctors can also prescribe medications such as antibiotics.