Derby Mowers

Naturopathic Medicine is more than herbs and modalities; it is a philosophy and model of health and disease and a way of working with patients. NDs use a wide range of therapies that include dietary and clinical nutrition, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, and physical medicine.

The guiding principle of naturopathic medicine is tolle causum, or “identify and treat the cause.” Symptoms are considered to be signals from the body that something is amiss. Visit their Website for more details.

The Six Principles of Naturopathic Medicine, an oath taken by naturopathic doctors, are the foundation of naturopathic medical practice. The principles guide the naturopathic doctor to support the patient’s inherent healing process, identify and remove the cause of disease, use natural therapies that work with the body, and encourage self-responsibility in creating health.

The first, and perhaps most important naturopathic principle is “first, do no harm” (primum non nocere). This means naturopaths prefer gentle diagnostic and therapeutic methods, avoiding invasive procedures and medicines unless absolutely necessary. This may mean modalities such as diet, sleep and exercise being used at the beginning of a treatment plan before more invasive approaches like micronutrients and herbs and then pharmaceuticals, depending on individual cases.

This principle is based on the understanding that all illness arises from imbalances in the body’s homeostasis, or vital force. This can happen on a physical, emotional, mental or spiritual level. Symptoms of disease are expressions of the body’s attempt to heal itself, and are to be treated as such. Often the causes of symptoms can be found in genetic, environmental and behavioural risk factors, and these are to be addressed as well as possible.

Prevention is a large part of naturopathy, and it aims to prevent disease by addressing the risk factors for disease as much as possible. This includes educating patients on how to create wellness by focusing on health promotion activities such as good nutrition, proper movement and rest, stress reduction techniques, positive emotional and mental state and encouraging spiritual development.

Another principle is to encourage the patients’ own responsibility for their health, and to educate them on how they can create healthy environments. This includes educating on healthy eating, exercise and lifestyle choices, promoting the avoidance of toxic substances and harmful habits such as smoking.

The last naturopathic principle is to embrace and promote the diversity of culturally relevant traditional practices from around the world. This is in recognition that the human body and mind are multifaceted, and that a holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment is beneficial for all patients.

Diagnosis

Naturopathy emphasizes that the human body is inherently able to heal itself and that the physician’s role is to support the patient’s natural healing processes. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body’s attempt to restore health and the physician seeks to identify and treat the cause, rather than simply alleviating the symptoms. The physician also strives to create a healthy internal and external environment in which the patient can heal (Pizzorno & Murray 1999).

An ND spends 1 to 2 hours examining a new client, taking a thorough medical history, performing diagnostic lab work and analyzing their physical findings. This allows the doctor to develop a comprehensive treatment plan, identifying and addressing all factors that impact a person’s health. This includes the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

The naturopathic approach to diagnosis and treatment is designed to minimize side effects. This is because naturopathic doctors use traditional Western medical science as a foundation for their practice, and they also study holistic approaches to therapy including naturopathy, European complementary medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, phytotherapy, pharmacognosy and psychology.

NDs are trained in the evaluation of drug/nutrient and drug/herb interactions, as well as to avoid therapies that could damage organs and bodily tissues such as spinal manipulation, short-term detox diets or large doses of vitamins (which can affect blood pressure, lead to kidney stones or raise the risk of osteoporosis). NDs are also trained to recognize when the patient’s health condition requires the input of another healthcare practitioner.

Some NDs are also qualified to perform minor surgery and prescribe pharmaceutical drugs when appropriate. NDs are also able to refer their clients to other practitioners for specialist care. This is because the naturopathic doctor believes that every individual has a right to choose the practitioner who will best address his or her health concerns. This philosophy is referred to as the “Principle of First Do No Harm” in naturopathy.

Therapies

A naturopathic physician will offer a variety of treatment options. These may include diet and nutrition recommendations, herbal medicines, homeopathy, acupuncture and physical alignment techniques. These modalities are designed to support and complement a patient’s primary healthcare. A naturopathic doctor also focuses on identifying and removing obstacles that stand in the way of healing. These may be environmental, dietary or emotional issues. Counseling techniques can be employed to help patients overcome stress and emotional blocks.

Naturopaths believe that a person has an inherent healing ability, which is guided by a complex system of natural forces and mechanisms. This “vis medicatrix naturae” is the foundation of naturopathic medicine and influences diagnosis and therapy selection. It is important to naturopaths that the underlying causes of disease be addressed, rather than simply suppressing symptoms.

The practice of naturopathy originated from the nature cure movement that flourished in Europe in the early 1800s. Practitioners used water (termed the Water Cure), fresh air, exercise and a clean and healthy diet to promote healing and restore health.

NDs use an eclectic approach that incorporates centuries-old knowledge and philosophy, and current research on health and human systems. They have graduated from a four-year, accredited naturopathic medical school, and are clinically trained in all areas of family medicine, from pediatrics to geriatrics.

A naturopathic doctor will focus on preventative and primary care, with an emphasis on identifying and preventing disease through education, healthy lifestyle choices and natural therapies. Naturopathic physicians will often recommend patients take probiotics to support their immune system and detoxification pathways, and may encourage patients to choose organic foods. They will also educate patients on a variety of holistic wellness practices, such as yoga, meditation, prayer and spirituality. They will also recommend that patients participate in short-term situational counseling to address any psychological and emotional blocks that may be standing in the way of their personal healing process. They are also encouraged to engage in lifelong learning and keep up with the latest research on natural medicine. This ensures that they will always be equipped to provide the most effective, safe and compassionate care possible.

Patient Education

NDs teach patients to be actively involved in their health care, and they provide education on a wide range of topics, including healthy eating, exercise, and stress management. NDs also work closely with researchers at top institutions to grow the body of evidence supporting natural therapies.

In order to be effective, naturopathy must encompass all aspects of life. Naturopaths consider mental, emotional, and spiritual health as well as physical wellbeing when treating a patient. The naturopathic principle “tolle totum” (“treat the whole person”) is an important part of this holistic approach.

The roots of naturopathy date back to Europe’s ‘nature cure,’ practiced in the 1800s and early 1900s, which incorporated herbal medicine and traditional therapies. Benedict Lust, who coined the term naturopathy, introduced the concept to the United States, and naturopathy flourished until the mid-century, when political and social movements turned physicians away from naturopathic treatments.

Today, naturopathy has evolved into an alternative medicine that incorporates the most recent scientific research and medical advancements with ancient healing traditions. As a result, modern-day naturopathic doctors (NDs) have extensive training in clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, botanical medicine, homeopathy, exercise therapy, nutritional medicine and pharmaceuticals.

During a naturopathic consultation, an ND will thoroughly examine the patient’s medical history, and they may request laboratory tests to help identify potential issues that could impact health. NDs then formulate a treatment plan that can involve the use of supplements, herbs, diet, exercise, acupuncture, massage and other therapeutic treatments.

Naturopathic therapies are a powerful complement to conventional medical practices, and the goal is to treat the underlying cause of the disease. NDs believe that the body has an inherent ability to maintain and restore health. They utilize treatments that are gentle, non-invasive and effective with few side effects.

In states and provinces where naturopaths are licensed, only graduates of CNME-accredited naturopathic doctoral programs are qualified for professional licensure. Those looking to explore the possibilities of naturopathic medicine are encouraged to seek out a physician who is a graduate of a CNME-accredited naturopathic school and to discuss any questions or concerns with their ND.