Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care service for the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic diseases.  The focus of naturopathic doctors is to address the root cause of illness, rather than to simply suppress symptoms or to manage disease. The patient is seen as a whole person.  Naturopathic doctors take into account the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the patient’s life when diagnosing and developing a treatment plan.

Naturopathic medicine integrates knowledge and therapies that are substantiated by thousands of years of clinical experience,  as well as natural medicine that has been substantiated by modern evidence based scientific research.

EDUCATION AND REGULATION

A naturopathic doctor’s training encompasses a minimum of three years of pre-medical university education, followed by a four-year, full-time course of study at one of six recognized North American colleges of naturopathic medicine. Training includes over 4200 hours of study in basic medical sciences, diagnostic and assessment skills, and therapeutic techniques. Naturopathic students must also complete 1500 hours of clinical internship.

In regulated (or licensed) provinces and states across North America, graduates must pass  two sets of rigorous standardized exams to receive a license for practice.  In Canada, ND’s are regulated in BC, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan.  Legislation is pending in Alberta and Nova Scotia.

In order to maintain high standards of education and to keep a license, Naturopathic doctors are required by their governing bodies to complete a pre-determined yearly number of continuing education hours.

PRINCIPLES OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE
The body has the inherent ability – the vitality –to heal itself.  The physician’s role is to bolster the patient’s healing capacity.

TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON
Health and disease result from a complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, spiritual, environmental, social, and other factors.  The harmonious function of all aspects of the individual is essential to health.

FIRST DO NO HARM
The most gentle and non-invasive therapy is sought to facilitate healing with the least possible side effects.

IDENTIFY AND TREAT THE CAUSE
Illness does not occur without cause. Symptoms are signals that the body is out of balance. When only the symptoms are treated, the underlying causes remain and the patient may develop a more serious, chronic condition.

PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE
Health is a reflection of how we choose to live. The physician assesses risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and makes appropriate intervention to prevent illness.