Naturopathic Medicine is…
A set of principles that are fundamentally different from the conventional medical model. There are so many wonderful articles discussing these principles in detail, I’ll attach a few links below for further reading, but here is the abbreviated version:
Vis Medicatrix Naturae, or belief in the wisdom and healing power of nature.
Tolle Causum, work to identify and treat the cause of disease, as opposed to solely addressing symptoms.
Primum Non Nocere, first, do no harm.
Docere, doctor as teacher.
Tolle Totum, treat the whole person.
Praevenire, prevention is the best “cure”.
A group of tools or “modalities” that Naturopathic Physicians use to treat illness on all levels; body, mind and spirit. Some of these tools include (this is not an exhaustive list):
Exercise and diet counseling
Nutritional support
Homeopathy
Botanical medicine
Physical medicine (from Naturopathic manipulations to hydrotherapy to therapeutic ultrasound)
Bodywork and Massage
Flower Essences
Biotherapeutic Drainage (UNDAs, Gemmos, Oligo-elements, etc…)
Minor surgery
IV therapy
Injection therapy (PRP, prolotherapy, neuroprolotherapy, ozone injections, etc…)
A method of identifying diseases through clinical investigations, patient history, physical exams, laboratory diagnosis, and imaging.
A desire to offer the full spectrum of healthcare choices to patients emphasizing modern scientific research and multiple traditional healing practices.
Resources for further reading:
The principles of Naturopathic Medicine from the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges
General information about Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine (my alma mater!)