Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae) Naturopathic medicine recognizes the body's inherent ability, which is ordered and intelligent, to heal itself. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to recovery, and to facilitate and augment this healing ability.
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient: utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects; avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms; acknowledge and respect the individual's healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Naturopathic physicians educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.
Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual path.
Prevention
Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.

Like medical doctors (MD), naturopathic physicians are nationally board certified and state licensed, 4 year, postgraduate doctors trained in the art and science of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of disease. The ND (Naturopathic Doctor) will typically take a thorough history, do a relevant physical exam, and order appropriate laboratory work and diagnostic testing. The ND may use other adjunctive diagnostic techniques including iris, pulse, or tongue diagnosis, electrodermal testing, kinesiology, thermography, or other diagnostic methods.

The ND uses natural medicines in preference to drugs, believes that the body has the innate ability to heal itself, works to identify and treat the cause, minimizes suffering without attempting to suppress symptoms, and supports living a healthy lifestyle to prevent disease. The therapies used by the ND are quite varied and include: osseous manipulation, massage, hydrotherapy, light and electrical stimulation, acupuncture, detoxification techniques, nutrition, oriental and Ayurvedic remedies, herbal medicine, vitamins and minerals, and homeopathy. The ND will prescribe drugs or refer for drug therapy when necessary, will support the body’s ability to heal itself, and attempt to support the discontinuance of drug therapy as soon as possible when appropriate. The ND will order laboratory tests, X rays, biopsies, and refer to specialists when indicated to facilitate in diagnosis. The ND will teach healthy choices, personal responsibility, and suggest lifestyle changes to help prevent disease and maintain health.

NDs believe that the body has the power to heal itself if provided with the proper nutrition and cellular environment. Some of the impediments to the body’s recovery include toxins, structural damage, stresses, allergens, infective agents, nutritional excesses and deficiencies. The impediments must be corrected to allow the body to heal itself. Various techniques are used to support the body’s own regenerative processes, such as stimulation of the circulation, metabolism, elimination, nervous system, and glandular function. Old symptoms may resurface when the body throws off toxins, chronic infections, and begins to repair damaged tissues. The ND looks for the causes of a condition and seeks to remove them rather than simply suppressing the symptoms; attempts to give the minimum dose of a medicine or therapy needed to restore optimal function; and considers the whole person, on all levels including their environment in diagnosing and treating disease.