| 1. Recognizes
that the human body was created with the inherent ability for
Self-healing and is able to regain and maintain health
naturally, if given the right envirnoment. Naturopathic
physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and
recovery, and to facilitate and augment this innate
self-healing process. |
| 2. First Do No
Harm |
|
- Naturopathic
physicians follow three precepts to avoid harming
the patient: | |
|
- Utilize methods
and medical substances which minimize the risk of harmful side-effects, such as
toxic pharmaceuticals, using the least force
necessary to diagnose and treat.
-
Avoid the harmful suppression of
symptoms when possible.
- Acknowledge, respect and work with the
patient's self-healing
process. | |
| 3. Identify and Treat
the Cause |
|
- Every illness has an underlying cause and often
its cause may be multi-factoral, such as aspects of the
lifestyle, diet or habits of the
individual. A
naturopathic physician seeks to
identify and remove the underlying causes of illness,
rather than to merely eliminate or suppress
symptoms. | |
| 4. Treat the Whole
Person |
|
- Naturopathic
physicians treat each patient by taking into account
individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic,
environmental and social factors. Since
total health also includes spiritual health,
naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue
spiritual growth. Reading the writings of the fathers of
naturopathy, you will find they were godly people who
recognized the Creator and gave Him the honor for all
healing. | |
| 5.
Prevention |
|
- Naturopathic
physicians emphasize prevention of disease by assessing
risk factors,
heredity and susceptibility to disease. The
naturopathic approach to health
care can prevent minor
illnesses from developing into more serious or
chronic degenerative
diseases. | |
| 6. Doctor as
Teacher |
|
- Naturopaths educate their patients and encourage
self-responsibility for
health, emphasizing that health is not merely the absence
of disease. The naturopathic
doctor-patient relationship is used
to guide the patient to optimum health and wellness. | |
