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Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medical Doctors (NMD) are trained as primary care general practitioners and are recognized as experts in natural medicine. Naturopathic medicine blends centuries-old natural, non-toxic therapies with current advances in the study of health
and human systems, covering all aspects of family health from prenatal to geriatric care. Naturopathic medicine concentrates on whole-patient wellness and is tailored to the patient, emphasizing prevention and self-care. NDs look to identify the underlying cause of a patient’s condition rather than focus mainly on symptomatic treatment.


Naturopathic medicine emphasizes prevention of disease, encouragement of the body’s inherent healing abilities, treatment of the whole person and personal responsibility for one’s own health.
In addressing your illness or efforts to optimize wellness, the naturopathic care team might prescribe vitamin/mineral supplements, herbal remedies, homeopathic remedies, provide physical medicine and hydrotherapy treatments or recommend changes in diet, lifestyle and exercise.


While firmly science-based, modern naturopathic medicine also preserves the centuries-old wisdom of successful natural therapies. Your naturopathic team takes the time to listen and to get to know you as a whole person. As a partner in your own health care, you play an integral role in making decisions about your treatment.

The practice of naturopathic medicine centers on six principles of healing:

vis medicatrix naturae: The Healing Power of Nature

The body has the inherant ability to establish, maintain and restore health. The healing process is ordered and intelligent; nature heals through the response of the life force. The naturopathic doctor’s role is to facilitate and augment this process, to identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.

tolle causam: Identify and Treat the Cause

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; therefore, naturopathic medicine addresses itself primarily to the underlying causes of disease, rather than to the symptoms. Causes may occur on many levels, including physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The naturopathic doctor must evaluate fundamental underlying causes on all levels, directing treatment at root causes as well as seeking relief of symptoms.

primum no nocere: First Do No Harm

The process of healing includes the generation of symptoms, which are, in fact, expressions of the life force attempting to heal itself. Therapeutic actions should be complementary to and synergistic with this healing process. Our actions can support or antagonize the actions of vis medicatrix naturae; therefore, methods designed to suppress symptoms without removing underlying causes are considered harmful and are avoided or minimized.

in perturbato animo sicut in corpore sanitas esse potest: Treat the Whole Person

Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism, involving a complex interaction of physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors. Naturopathic doctors 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.

docere: Naturopathic Doctor as Teacher

A major role of the naturopathic doctor is to educate and encourage the patient to take responsibility for his or her own health. The naturopathic doctor is a catalyst for healthful change, empowering and motivating the patient to assume responsibility. It is the patient, not the naturopathic doctor, who ultimately creates or accomplishes healing. The naturopathic doctor must strive to inspire hope as well as understanding, and must also make a commitment to her/his personal and spiritual development.

principiis obsta; sero medicina curatur: Prevention

The ultimate goal of naturopathic medicine is prevention. This is accomplished through education and promotion of lifestyle habits that foster good health. The emphasis is on building health rather than on fighting disease. Because iti is difficult to be healthy in an unhealthy world, it is the responsibility of both the naturopathic doctor and patient to create a healthier environment in which to live.