The naturopathic medical school curriculum is an extensive 4-year program leading to licensure. The philosophy of naturopathic medicine is based on a model and set of operative principles and premises.
One of the most important naturopathic principles is ‘first do no harm’ (primum non nocere). Naturopaths strive to use modalities that are least invasive and have a low risk of side effects. Visit https://medicinetothrive.com/ to learn more.
He believed that all illness had a cause and that physicians should seek to identify the causative factors in disease, rather than merely suppressing symptoms. He also advocated that physicians should be able to explain their observations and conclusions clearly to patients in a way they could understand.
In the modern context, naturopathic doctors use the tools of the scientific method to investigate and analyze a patient’s condition. They focus on preventative care and the improvement of conditions that may lead to disease through lifestyle changes, diet, herbs and homeopathy. They also use physical modalities such as therapeutic exercise, massage therapy and spinal manipulation. In addition, they are trained to recognize drug/nutrient and drug/herb interactions.
The naturopathic physician is an expert in natural therapeutics, but they will not hesitate to utilize pharmaceutical drugs if appropriate and necessary. In fact, a naturopathic doctor can perform minor surgeries, such as stitching a wound, and can prescribe medications. They can also serve as your primary care doctor and provide you with a referral to a specialist for more serious problems, such as heart disease or cancer.
Ultimately, a naturopathic doctor views wellness as an inherent part of every individual. They empower their patients to take responsibility for their own wellness and help them make the right choices to support it. They will also guide their patients towards an understanding of the different dimensions of wellness – spiritual, social, mental and emotional. By addressing all of these aspects, the naturopathic physician can help their patients achieve and maintain optimal health and well-being. In doing so, they can create an environment in which disease does not thrive. In an era in which disease prevention is the key to survival, naturopathic medicine offers a unique approach that can benefit all who seek it.
The Healing Power of Nature
Taking the body’s natural healing abilities into account is fundamental to naturopathic medicine. The philosophy is that the human body is inherently healthy and it is disease that is a disruption of the body’s normal, healthy processes. Naturopathic doctors believe that the body has the innate ability to heal itself, as evidenced by how quickly and completely it can respond to a small cut or scrape. This healing capacity is also seen in the body’s remission from chronic conditions like cancer or heart disease.
When an illness does present itself, naturopathic physicians treat the whole person (tolle totum) and consider all aspects of the patient’s life and environment. This includes the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the patient, as well as their work and home lives. For children, this includes school environment and social activities, as these can have an impact on the child’s health.
Naturopathic treatment plans are created uniquely for each patient to meet their specific needs. They typically include dietary counselling, nutritional supplements, botanical (herbal) medicines, acupuncture and homeopathy as “tools” to promote healing. Some treatments may be based on thousands of years of tradition, while others are validated using modern research techniques. These therapeutic modalities are often more gentle than pharmaceutical drugs and, as such, may have less side effects.
There is a growing body of scientific support for many of the therapies employed in naturopathy, including studies showing that acupuncture can reduce nausea during chemotherapy, that devil’s claw can reduce pain and swelling after surgery, and that TENS therapy helps alleviate chronic pain. Other studies have shown that naturopathic interventions, such as massage and aromatherapy, improve quality of life and can be used to help with depression, anxiety and stress.
The naturopathic philosophy is not to wait until a patient is sick, but rather to prevent illness through good nutrition, exercise, proper sleep and water intake, and stress reduction. It is a philosophy of promoting health through a holistic approach, and it is a great alternative to the aggressive approaches to health such as surgery, suppressive drugs and radiation that may have serious side-effects.
The Unitary View of Disease
The naturopathic view is that the body has an innate ability to establish, maintain and restore health. This is the principle upon which naturopathy, acupuncture, homoeopathy and herbal medicine base their therapies. The naturopath views this innate healing process as being organized, ordered and intelligent. It is the naturopath’s role to support, facilitate and augment this process.
Naturopathic doctors evaluate their patients to understand their health needs and goals. They assess their physical condition, medical history, lifestyle choices, diet and environment. They then use their training to develop an appropriate treatment strategy. They work in conjunction with other healthcare providers to optimize outcomes and minimize side effects.
As naturopathic doctors, NDs treat the underlying causes of disease rather than just managing symptoms. They educate and empower their patients to adopt healthy habits, making it easier for them to make the necessary changes.
This is the opposite approach to traditional doctors who typically investigate a patient’s condition only after they’ve already been diagnosed and are suffering from specific symptoms. This is why naturopathic medicine often provides much more effective results, even for chronic ailments like arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Moreover, unlike conventional treatments, naturopathic techniques are gentle and non-invasive. The naturopath’s goal is to help their patients recover with minimal discomfort and disruption to their daily lives.
In addition, naturopathic treatments are more affordable than traditional methods. The naturopath’s holistic approaches to wellness and treatment reduce costs by eliminating the need for costly diagnostic procedures and invasive surgeries.
NDs strive to promote a balanced, integrated approach to healthcare that addresses the whole person—mind, body and spirit. They also take into account the interaction of environmental and social factors that influence a patient’s well-being. This broader perspective helps patients understand their own personal strengths and weaknesses in the context of their environment, family and community and gives them more control over their health and quality of life. This is what makes naturopathic medicine such an attractive alternative to those who are frustrated with the limitations of the current system of healthcare in both the United States and Canada.
Prevention of Disease
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify the specific factors that are causing disease. They help the patient understand and reduce these factors, thereby restoring the balance that was lost. This can be achieved through a variety of therapeutic methods, including massage therapy, acupuncture, naturopathic nutrition and herbal medicine.
As a holistic approach to health, naturopathy emphasizes that it is the harmonious functioning of all aspects of a person, within and between themselves and their environment, that is essential to healthy living. This view is based on the principle of “First do no harm,” as well as the belief that it is a doctor’s duty to find the treatment that will be safest for their patients. This standard also means that naturopaths use therapies that are less likely to cause side effects, such as herbs and nutritional supplements, rather than powerful pharmaceutical drugs that can have potentially serious long term complications.
In addition to identifying and treating the root causes of disease, naturopathic physicians work to encourage their patients to take responsibility for their own health. They do this by educating and encouraging patients to make healthy choices in diet, exercise, lifestyle, and attitude. The Latin root of the word “doctor” is docere, which means to teach. As a teaching profession, naturopaths are devoted to empowering and motivating their patients to become more involved in their own health care.
Another benefit of naturopathy is that it is often more cost effective than the standard healthcare system. The high costs of conventional healthcare can be very difficult for many people to afford, especially when they need to treat ongoing issues such as diabetes or heart disease. Taking the time to address the underlying issues, which may be more easily treated through a change in diet or lifestyle, can significantly decrease the amount of money that is needed to be spent on treatment.
In addition, naturopathic medicine is highly customizable for each individual, as it focuses on finding the best treatment plan to fit each person’s needs and preferences. This flexibility allows individuals to feel motivated and excited about the health care that they are receiving, which in turn leads to better compliance and results.
