Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Physicians are trained as general practitioners. They combine modern diagnostic medical treatment, herbal medicine, counseling homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and other natural healing therapies. The principles of naturopathic medicine include:

• The Healing power of nature
• Identify and treat the cause
• First, do no harm
• Doctors as teacher
• Treat the whole person: mind, body and sprit
• Preventative medicine
• Wellness

Naturopathic medicine treats health conditions by utilizing the body's inherent ability to heal. Naturopathic physicians aid the healing process by incorporating a variety of alternative methods based on the patient's individual needs. Diet, lifestyle, work, and personal history are all considered when determining a treatment regimen.

The spirit of naturopathic medicine is reflected in the definition of health advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO)-"a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of infirmity. "In fact, WHO, in a report on traditional medicine, has recommended the integration of naturopathic medicine into conventional health care systems.”

Naturopathic medicine is not a single modality of healing, but an array of healing practices, including diet and clinical nutrition; homeopathy; acupuncture; herbal medicine; hydrotherapy; therapeutic exercise; spinal and soft-tissue manipulation; physical therapies involving electric currents, ultrasound, and light therapy; therapeutic counseling; and pharmacology.