Friday, May 4, 2007

Basic Naturopathy

The reasons why we want to be healthy are limitless. Naturopathic medicine answers how we can live, become, and maintain health.

Naturopathic medicine grows forth from two foundations, a science base and a philosophical base. The basic sciences mirror those of the conventional heroic practices such as allopathic and osteopathic medicine. Naturopathic Doctors are trained and licensed as primary care physicians with an emphasis in natural therapeutics and preventative medicine. (http://www.scnm.edu/admissions/degree.php)

The philosophy of Naturopathic medicine provides the distinction between this traditional form of healing and the newer conventional ideals. There are six underlying premises on which the philosophy is based:

· First Do No Harm - primum non nocere
· Support the Healing Power of Nature, “the Vital Force” - vis
  medicatrix naturae
· Discover and Treat the Cause - tolle causam
· Treat the Whole Person - tolle totum
· The Physician is a Teacher – docere
· Prevention is the best "cure"

To embrace this philosophy, Naturopathic Doctors treat every patient as an individual and personalize the treatment accordingly using homeopathic, botanical, nutritional, physical medicine, life-style counseling, hydrotherapy, and much more. This patient-centered approach is uniquely refreshing. Naturopathic principles apply across both acute and chronic illness, for young and old, male and female alike.

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