First, do no harm
Use the healing power of nature
Treat the cause
Treat the whole person
Doctor as teacher
Preventative medicine

Within each of us lies a force that is always actively trying to move us towards health.  It is called the Vis Medicatrix Naturae, the vital force, or the healing power of nature.  It is our body’s innate compass driving all the physiological, biochemical and energetic processes that keep us alive.  When this vital force becomes burdened and distorted by stress, trauma, unhealthy living, and suppressive medicines, it is unable to direct its natural course.  Naturopathic Medicine aims to stimulate and rebalance this innate healing power, so your body can do what it is so intricately programmed to do.  

Naturopathic Medicine is a form of primary and complementary health care practiced by highly trained individuals called Naturopathic Doctors.  After a minimum of three years of pre-medical training at the university level, NDs complete four more years at one of 5 accredited Naturopathic medical schools in Canada or the United States.  The first two years of study focus on the basic sciences like anatomy, physiology, biochemisty, histology, pathology, microbiology, and pharmacology.  The third and fourth years of study are clinically oriented to refine diagnostic skills and training in the Naturopathic Therapies: nutrition, botanical medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, couseling, physical medicine, and hydrotherapy.  Women’s health, men’s health, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, public health, physical/clinical diagnosis, and radiology/lab diagnosis are also part of the curriculum.  Naturopathic students also complete 1500 hours of practical medical training as interns in college and satellite clinics, under the supervision of experienced doctors.

Naturopathic Physicians are skilled at both the art and science of medicine, and combine modern diagnostics and treatments, with traditional healing systems.   Naturopathic Medicine treats the whole person, rather than looking at someone as their disease or compartmentalizing their symptoms.   In order for lasting changes to take place in someone’s health, it is imperative to treat the cause and not merely manage the symptoms.  By taking the time to really listen to their patients and by empowering them to be an active part of their health care, Naturopathic Doctors facilitate the treatment of active diseases and create the foundation for preventative medicine.

Naturopathic Doctors are trained in the following modalities:

Clinical Nutrition
Food is one of the best medicines.  Informed food choices, preparation methods and food combining, form the foundation of optimal physiology. Many conditions can be treated using nutrition and nutritional supplementation.  Not all dietary regimes are suitable for everyone and it is important to consider nutrition individually based on the person’s constitution, symptoms, food sensitivities and goals.

Botanical Medicine
Medicinal plants have been used throughout history to cure a wide variety of illnesses.  They stimulate and rebalance the body both energetically and biochemically, in addition to having high amounts many nutrients including vitamins and minerals.  Botanicals may be taken and used in many forms: tinctures, teas, poulitices, creams, oils, capsules, macerates or simply as food in daily cooking. 

Homeopathy
Homeopathic Medicine works according to the principle of “like cures like”.  This means that a homeopathic medicine that causes a particular set of symptoms in a healthy individual, will also cure that same set of symptoms manifesting in a sick person.  It is a holistic and subtle form of medicine that has a powerful effect on the body’s innate vital force and immune system.  Homeopathic remedies may be taken as combinations or single remedies, in pellets, liquid, or as a cream.

Lifestyle Counselling
Physical illnesses affect us emotionally, and mental/emotional conditions impact us physically.  Therefore, counselling is part of the recovery process at some point in a person’s recovery.  Stress, anxiety and dysfunctional emotional patterns can drain you of energy and interfere with relationships.  Changing aspects of an old lifestyle may sound easy, however it often takes a lot of support to let go and make lasting changes that will improve your health.

Traditional Chinese Medicine
TCM is an ancient form of medicine that considers specific organ systems and corresponding meridians, in terms of yin and yang.  In TCM, the tongue, pulse and patient symptoms lead the practitioner towards the organ system that is stressed and reveal whether the stress is an excess or deficiency of yin or yang.  Yin is the female principle, and its nature is cooling, slow, and full of substance.  Yang is the male principle, and its nature is warming, fast and energetic.  Acupuncture, herbal medicine and specific dietary guidelines are used to rebalance the patient.   

Physical Medicine
Massage, spinal manipulation, traction and friction are a few of the physical modalities used by some naturopathic doctors.  Physical medicine is often, but not exclusively, used to treat chronic pain, injuries and imbalances in the musculoskeletal system.
   
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is the use of water for healing purposes.  Bathing and topical application of contrasting water temperatures enhances circulation and lymphatic flow, thereby stimulating the immune system and detoxification pathways.  Hydrotherapy may also be used to balance the nervous system and heal physical injuries.  Some practitioners perform constitutional hydrotherapy in their office, while others offer recommendations for hydrotherapy home care.