Naturopathic medicine is distinguished by its six principles that underlie and determine its practice using the observation of the nature of health and disease.

The healing power of nature
This principle is based on the belief that the human body has an innate healing ability. By finding and removing the barriers to self-healing—such as poor diet or unhealthy habits—naturopathic doctors can nurture this process.

Identify and treat the cause
Naturopathic doctors understand that unless the root cause of the problem is identified and removed, symptoms will only return.

First do no harm
To ensure patient safety, naturopathic doctors follow 3 simple rules:

• Use the least invasive, least toxic treatment first with few or no side effects.

• When possible, do not suppress symptoms, which are the body’s efforts to self-heal. A fever occurs when the body wants to create an inhospitable environment in order to kill any virus/bacteria which has entered.

• Individualized treatment plans because each body is unique and the healing process may occur in different ways.

Treat the whole person
The naturopathic doctor respects our differences and realizes we each have a unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, sexual and spiritual makeup which can affect our health. These qualities are considered when your individualized treatment is formed.

Physician as teacher
Naturopathic doctors understand fully the concept of practice what you preach and be a model for health. In order to help assist patients on their journey to health, naturopathic doctors in training will try various modalities of treatment and most continue their learned lifestyle changes after they leave school.

Prevention

Naturopathic doctors understand the concept that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. This why risk factors, family history, and vulnerability to disease are assessed an addressed early on. By addressing wellness, there is less likely to need treatment for future illness.