What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct form of primary health care with a long, rich history in North America. In accordance with the principles of Naturopathic Medicine, Naturopathic Doctors:
- Focus on the whole person and recognize that disease has physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental causes and manifestations
- Unite scientific evidenced-based medicine with traditional natural medicine
- Diagnose disease through naturopathic assessments, physical exam and lab testing
- Understand the manifesting symptoms as signals of disease and imbalance within the individual
- Identify and treat the underlying root cause of disease
- Prescribe treatments that promote the natural ability of the body to heal itself
- Utilize natural therapies which include clinical nutrition, acupuncture & traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, lifestyle counselling and herbal medicine
- Individualize treatment plans tailored to the needs of the patient
- Emphasize assessing risk factors and prevention of disease
- Collaborate with other licensed health care professionals when indicated to optimize the patient's healing
- Empower the patient through education to proceed on their healing journey