What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Ancient Wisdom with Modern Health + Nutrition
Hippocrates, a Greek physician who lived 2400 years ago, first formulated the concept of vis medicatrix naturae — “the healing power of nature”. This concept has long been at the core of medicine in many cultures around the world and remains one of the central themes of naturopathic philosophy today. Naturopathic medicine is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability.
It is a distinct system of health care that emphasizes prevention and the self-healing process through the use of natural therapies. Naturopaths blend centuries-old knowledge and a philosophy that nature is the most effective healer with current research on health and human systems. Naturopathic medicine focuses on identifying the underlying causes of dis-ease, while naturopathic therapies are supported by research drawn from peer-reviewed journals from many disciplines. The therapeutic modalities used in naturopathic medicine (including physical manipulation, clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy and hydrotherapy) integrate scientific and empirical methodology with the ancient laws of nature.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
distinguishable core
The healing power of nature
Trust in the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.
Identify the cause
Look beyond symptoms to the underlying cause.
First do no harm
Utilize the most natural, least invasive and least toxic therapies.
Doctor as teacher
Educate patients in the steps to achieve and maintain health.
Treat the whole person
View the body as an integrated whole in all its physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions.
Prevention
Focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.
History of Naturopathy
Hierarchy of Healing
Therapeutic Order:
1. Remove The Obstacles
The first step in returning to health is to remove the entities that disturb health such as poor diet, digestive disturbances, chronic stress levels, unhealthy coping mechanisms, inadequate sleep, and lack of or too much exercise.
2. Stimulate Self-Healing
Dr. White uses therapies to stimulate and strengthen the body’s innate self-healing and curative abilities. These therapies may include functional nutrition, botanicals, nutritional supplements, homeopathy, mind-body medicine, and naprapathy.
3. Restore Weakened Systems
Naturopathic medicine recognizes and honors the interconnectedness of the bodies organ systems. Dr. White will identify imbalances and work to restore optimal function.
4. Correct Structural Integrity
Physical modalities such as spinal manipulation, connective tissue therapy, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise, and craniosacral therapy are used to maintain and improve the musculoskeletal system.
5. Promote Natural Substances
Dr. White will prioritize safe and effective natural substances that minimize toxicity or additional burden on an already distressed system.
6. Refer Out When Appropriate
At times it is important and necessary to refer out for more invasive therapies. Dr. White may recommend therapies that minimize side effects and enhance the efficacy of more invasive treatments.
“The natural system for curing disease is based on a return to nature and regulating the diet, breathing, exercising, bathing, and the employment of various forces to eliminate the poisonous products in the system and so raise the vitality of the patient to a proper standard of health.”
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Dr. White takes a foundational-holistic approach to health by focusing on the relationship between the structure and function of the physical body and how that relationship affects the preservation of your overall health.
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