The Principles of Naturopathic Medicine The Healing Power of Nature. The healing process is ordered and intelligent and is demonstrated in the body as an inherent ability to heal itself and to restore optimal health and vitality.

First, Do No Harm

In order to respect the inherent ability of the body to heal itself, one must use gentle, non-invasive therapies.

Identify and Treat the Causes

Illness does not occur without cause. Symptoms such as nausea, rash and headache are not the causes of illness but rather, are signals that the body is out of balance and is attempting to heal itself.

Treat the Whole Person

Health and disease result from a complex interaction between physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, genetic, environmental and other factors. The harmonious functioning of ALL of these factors is essential to the good health of the individual.

Prevention

Health is a reflection of how we choose to live. By assessing risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease, appropriate interventions can be used to help prevent disease.

Doctor as Teacher

The original meaning of the word ‘doctor’ was ‘teacher,’ hence a doctor must serve as a facilitator for an individual’s healing process.

Useful websites:

http://www.futurehealth.ucsf.edu/pdf_files/Naturo2.pdf

Profiles of a profession: Naturopathic Practice. Provides in-depth information on naturopathic medicine.

http://www.naturopathic-alberta.com

Alberta Association of naturopathic practitioners. Provides a list of registered naturopathic doctors in Alberta.

http://www.naturopathicassoc.ca

Canadian Naturopathic Association.

http://www.naturopathic.org/ American Association of naturopathic physicians

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