Naturopathy

Naturopathy is an ancient and distinctive system of primary health care and restoration. It is an art, science and philosophy which differs from "traditional" medical concepts and approaches.

Naturopathy vs General Practice Medicine

Naturopathy, unlike traditional medical practices, treats the entire person. Naturopaths understand that disease is not a one-off spontaneous condition. Instead they believe that most disease has been occurring unnoticed for a significant amount of time. They believe that it is a combination of genetic, structural, emotional and environmental elements.

Only through the understanding of all four areas can one truly create a health restoration program. Naturopaths also believe that the display of one symptom can actually be the result of multiple conditions within the body.

Principles of Naturopathy

Like many professions, naturopaths have a number of principals that they follow. This includes:

• The healing power of nature.

All living organisms have an ability to maintain and restore their own health. This process is ordered, structured and intelligent. Naturopaths understand these processes and are able to stimulate these processes using natural means to help the body rid itself of disease.

• Identify & treat the cause of a disease in its entirety.

Naturopaths understand that illness does not occur without cause. Often these causes are not solitary in nature.

Underlying causes of a person's illness must first be discovered before a successful treatment regime can be created. After all, symptoms are often an expression of the body trying to defend itself, adapt or heal itself from disease.

Naturopathic medicine principles state never to suppress symptoms - instead treat the underlying cause and the symptoms will vanish of their own accord.

• Do not harm.

Naturopaths utilise methods and formulations that minimise the risk of harmful effects. They apply the least possible force or intervention necessary to diagnose illness or restore health.

• Doctor as teacher.

The original meaning of the word "doctor" is teacher. One of the main objectives of naturopathic medicine is to educate the patient and emphasise self-responsibility for health and restoration.

• Treat the whole person.

Disease is made up of a multitude of factors. Naturopathy stresses that the entire person should be treated as a whole. Disease not only affects the body, but the mind and spirit as well.

• Prevention is better than cure.

Naturopaths emphasise the study of health as well as disease. The prevention of disease and the attainment of optimal health is a key goal for patients and naturopaths alike.

Naturopaths assess risk factors and where appropriate work in conjunction with their patients to prevent illness.