The Naturopathic approach to health and wellness is guided by the following philosophy and principles of practice:The Healing Power of Nature:
Naturopathic medicine recognises an inherent self-healing process in each person that is ordered and intelligent. Naturopaths act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and facilitate and augment this inherent self-healing process.
Identifying and Treating the Causes:
The Naturopath seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm:
To avoid harming the patient, Naturopaths follow three precepts:
- Utilise methods and medical substances that minimise the risk of harmful side-effects, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat.
- Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.
- Acknowledge, respect, and work with the individual’s self-healing process.
Doctor As Teacher:
Naturopaths educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognise and employ the therapeutic potential of the Doctor- Patient relationship.
Treating the Whole Person:
Naturopaths treat each patient by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health includes spiritual health, Naturopaths may encourage individuals to pursue their own personal spiritual development.
Prevention:
Emphasising the prevention of disease, Naturopaths assess a patient’s risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to disease, and make appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to help prevent illness.
