Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine.

The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body, and unfavourable lifestyle habits.

Naturopathic Medicine emphasizes disease as a process rather than as an entity. Treating both acute and chronic conditions, naturopathic treatments are chosen based on the individual patient – their physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environment and lifestyle factors. In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation and traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, may also be used during treatments.

In Canada, the naturopathic medical profession’s infrastructure includes accredited educational institutions, professional licensing, national standards of practice, participation in many federal health committee initiatives, and a commitment to state-of-the-art scientific research.

Naturopathic Modalities

Clinical Nutrition
Bioenergetics
Homeopathic Medicine
Botanical Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture
Lifestyle modifications
Reiki
Dream analysis
Hydrotherapy
physical therapies (muscle work)

Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Doctors are guided by six principles that outline the naturopathic approach to health and healing and form the foundation of healthcare for each patient:

1. First Do No Harm

By utilizing procedures, remedies and therapies that are safe and effective, to increase your healing and minimze harmful side effects.

2. The Healing Power of Nature

To treat the causes of disease, by identifying and removing the underlying causes of illness, rather than suppressing symptoms, thus restoring the inherent healing ability of your body, mind and spirit.

3. Identify and Treat the Cause

To determine and treat the underlying causes of illness by evaluating symptoms, diet and lifestyle. And to teach the principles of healthy living and preventative medicine, by sharing knowledge with patients and encouraging individual responsibility for health.

4. Treat the Whole Person

To heal the whole person through individualized treatment, by understanding the unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors that contribute to illness, and customizing treatment protocols to the patient.

5. Doctor as Teacher

To emphasize prevention, by partnering with the patient to assess risk factors and recommend appropriate naturopathic interventions to maintain health and prevent illness.

6. Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

To create proactive plans for disease prevention and health promotion by supporting the healing power of the body, by recognizing and removing obstacles to the body's inherent self-healing process. Health is more than just the absence of disease, its the capacity for optimal wellness.