The Philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis medicatrix naturae)
Naturopathic physicians understand that it is nature that is the real healer – not doctors, drugs or
surgery. Nature cures through the body’s inherent healing mechanisms. When supported it can
maintain and restore phenomenal health. Naturopathic physicians seek to support and enhance
these natural healing systems by using medicines and techniques that work in harmony with body
and are free of harmful side-effects. The healing process is ordered and intelligent; nature heals
through the response of the life force. The physician's role is to facilitate and augment this
process, to act to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to support the
creation of a healthy internal and external environment.
First Do No Harm (Primum non nocere)
Naturopathic physicians prefer natural, non-invasive treatments, which minimize the risks of
harmful side effects. Prescription drugs are used rarely and only as a secondary measure for a
short-term acute intervention when the body is too weak to respond, or while other safer more
natural therapies take effect.
Identify and treat the cause (Tolle causam)
Illness does not occur without cause. Underlying causes of disease must be discovered and
removed or treated before a person can recover completely from illness. Symptoms are
expressions of the body's attempt to heal, but are not the cause of disease. Symptoms,
therefore, should not be suppressed by treatment. Causes may occur on many levels including
physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The physician must evaluate fundamental underlying
causes on all levels, directing treatment at root causes rather than at symptomatic expression.
Treat the whole person (The multifactorial nature of health and disease)
Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism, a whole involving a complex interaction
of physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors. The
physician must treat the whole person by taking all of these factors into account. The harmonious
functioning of all aspects of the individual is essential to recovery from and prevention of
disease, and requires a personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.
The physician as teacher (docere)
Beyond an accurate diagnosis and appropriate prescription, the physician must work to create a
healthy, sensitive interpersonal relationship with the patient. A cooperative doctor-patient
relationship has inherent therapeutic value. The physician's major role is to educate and
encourage the patient to take responsibility for health. The physician is a catalyst for healthful
change, empowering and motivating the patient to assume responsibility. It is the patient, not
Naturopathic physicians understand that it is nature that is the real healer – not doctors, drugs or
surgery. Nature cures through the body’s inherent healing mechanisms. When supported it can
maintain and restore phenomenal health. Naturopathic physicians seek to support and enhance
these natural healing systems by using medicines and techniques that work in harmony with body
and are free of harmful side-effects. The healing process is ordered and intelligent; nature heals
through the response of the life force. The physician's role is to facilitate and augment this
process, to act to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to support the
creation of a healthy internal and external environment.
First Do No Harm (Primum non nocere)
Naturopathic physicians prefer natural, non-invasive treatments, which minimize the risks of
harmful side effects. Prescription drugs are used rarely and only as a secondary measure for a
short-term acute intervention when the body is too weak to respond, or while other safer more
natural therapies take effect.
Identify and treat the cause (Tolle causam)
Illness does not occur without cause. Underlying causes of disease must be discovered and
removed or treated before a person can recover completely from illness. Symptoms are
expressions of the body's attempt to heal, but are not the cause of disease. Symptoms,
therefore, should not be suppressed by treatment. Causes may occur on many levels including
physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The physician must evaluate fundamental underlying
causes on all levels, directing treatment at root causes rather than at symptomatic expression.
Treat the whole person (The multifactorial nature of health and disease)
Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism, a whole involving a complex interaction
of physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, and other factors. The
physician must treat the whole person by taking all of these factors into account. The harmonious
functioning of all aspects of the individual is essential to recovery from and prevention of
disease, and requires a personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.
The physician as teacher (docere)
Beyond an accurate diagnosis and appropriate prescription, the physician must work to create a
healthy, sensitive interpersonal relationship with the patient. A cooperative doctor-patient
relationship has inherent therapeutic value. The physician's major role is to educate and
encourage the patient to take responsibility for health. The physician is a catalyst for healthful
change, empowering and motivating the patient to assume responsibility. It is the patient, not
| Boulder Natural Medicine Clinic, LLC |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Copyright © 2003-2004 Boulder Natural Medicine Clinic, LLC. All rights reserved. Email : info@bouldernatural.com Phone: 303.447.1339 |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
the doctor, who ultimately creates/accomplishes healing. The physician
must strive to inspire hope as well as understanding. The physician
must also make a commitment to his/her personal and spiritual
development in order to be a good teacher.
Prevention (Prevention is the best "cure")
The ultimate goal of any health care system should be prevention.
This is accomplished through education and promotion of life-habits
that create good health. The physician assesses risk factors and
hereditary susceptibility to disease and makes appropriate
interventions to avoid further harm and risk to the patient. The
emphasis is on building health rather than on fighting disease.
must strive to inspire hope as well as understanding. The physician
must also make a commitment to his/her personal and spiritual
development in order to be a good teacher.
Prevention (Prevention is the best "cure")
The ultimate goal of any health care system should be prevention.
This is accomplished through education and promotion of life-habits
that create good health. The physician assesses risk factors and
hereditary susceptibility to disease and makes appropriate
interventions to avoid further harm and risk to the patient. The
emphasis is on building health rather than on fighting disease.
