What Is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a different system of medicine than the traditional Western medicine many of us here in Toronto and Canada in general are used to. It is a form of health care that treats all illnesses of the body and mind.
Read on to gain a better understanding of naturopathy, and how it may be able to help you with your health concerns.
What Is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a form of primary health care. It’s a combination of modern scientific research and traditional, more natural forms of medicine.
Naturopathic medicine is based on the idea that the body’s innate ability to heal itself is the most powerful form of healing. Naturopathic treatments are designed to either support your body’s ability to heal itself or remove any barriers to it.
A practitioner of naturopathic medicine is called a naturopathic doctor. Only those who hold a doctor of naturopathic medicine degree and who are in good standing with the relevant governing body may call themselves naturopathic doctors. In Ontario, naturopathic doctors are regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
What Are The Principles Of Naturopathic Medicine>
Naturopathic medicine is guided by a specific set of principles. Naturopathic doctors may differ on certain opinions, but all agree to form their practices around the following tenets.
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1. First, Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic doctors strive to avoid bringing harm to their patients as much as possible. To accomplish this, they follow the following three points:
- Use treatment methods with the least amount of side effects possible (preferably zero)
- Use force only when necessary, and only as much as necessary, when diagnosing or treating illnesses
- Avoid suppressing symptoms of illness, except when necessary
Naturopathic doctors use the safest, gentlest treatment options.
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2. The Healing Power Of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Naturopathic doctors believe that nature is the most powerful form of healing. This is why naturopathic medicine emphasizes plant-based medicine, but it also works within a framework of supporting your own body’s ability to heal itself.
After all, we are a part of nature.
Naturopathic doctors trust in the body’s ability to heal itself of illness.
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3. Identify And Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
Suppression of symptoms is sometimes necessary if it interferes with the patient’s ability to function. However, a naturopathic doctor will focus on what causes your symptoms in the first place.
By solving the root cause of the problem, you can treat your symptoms and improve your overall health.
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4. Doctor As teacher (Docere)
A naturopathic doctor is dedicated to not only being your healthcare provider, but also your teacher. They will help you understand how your lifestyle, diet, and other factors are affecting your health, and empower you with the tools you need to better maintain your health.
This not only helps you to better take care of yourself, it helps build trust and understanding between you and your naturopathic doctor.
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5. Treat The Whole Person
While there are certain pathologies and experiences common among all who suffer from a given disorder, each person is unique. Providing individualized care needs to take into consideration your symptom and disease, but also your genetic history, environment, mental state, and any emotional, social, spiritual, or other factors.
On top of this, there is a tendency in conventional medicine to treat a disorder as localized to a specific area – asthma being a disorder of the lungs, for example. Naturopathic doctors look at your entire person, not just a specific organ, considering the above mentioned factors.
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6. Prevention
Reactive medicine is sometimes necessary. However, the best way to recover from a disease is to never have had that disease in the first place. A naturopathic doctor will work with you toward achieving a state of optimal health by maintaining a healthy diet and physical and emotional lifestyle.
As a result, it becomes more difficult for diseases to take root in the first place.
Questions?
If you have more questions about naturopathic medicine, Dr. Simona offers a FREE 15-minute introductory consultation to new and inquiring patients.
During that session, you’ll get a chance to sit down with Dr. Simona in a comfortable atmosphere at the clinic most convenient for you. You’ll get the chance to ask questions about naturopathic medicine and about Dr. Simona’s approach, and walk away with a better understanding of what naturopathic medicine can do for you.
If you’re still on the fence about naturopathic medicine, this is a great place to start.
Contact Dr. Simona to book your FREE 15-minute introductory consultation today.
You can live a healthier life
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