Naturopathic medicine is the science of employing natural therapies to heal the body or prevent illness. The practice is based on the following important tenants:
1. First, do no harm 2. Use the healing power of natural substances 3. Treat the root cause, not the symptoms 4. Educate patients and encourage self-responsibility for health 5. Treat the whole person, not just a part of the body 6. Work to promote health and prevent disease
What are the therapies used in naturopathic medicine?
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is based on the philosophy that "like cures like." This means that a patient's symptoms are matched to the symptoms that a homeopathic remedy would produce in a healthy person. In a person with disease, however, this same remedy stimulates internal healing and heals imbalances in the body. Homeopathic remedies are made from natural substances in minute dilutions, making them extremely safe for all stages of life, including infancy, pregnancy, nursing and the elderly.
"Conventional medicine looks for what is the same between patients and then applies a uniform treatment to the disease. In homeopathy, we look for what is different, what makes each person unique, so we can treat the patient."
Botanical medicine (herbs)
Botanical medicine uses herbs to heal the body. Constituents found in herbs give the plants their medicinal qualities and, when extracted, can impart these healing properties. Herbs can decrease inflammation, pain, and histamines, while increasing circulation and blood flow to parts of the body.
Clinical nutrition
Hippocrates said: "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food." Diet (what a person eats) is, without doubt, the most important contributing factor to several of the top health threats for men and women, including heart disease, stroke, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. Even cancer rates and outcomes can be greatly improved by eating a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet.
Vitamins
Vitamins are used in every physiological process in the body. A deficiency in one, or many, vitamins can lead to ill health, sometimes severe. Supplementation with vitamins is often necessary to replenish a depleted body or to help offset a diet deficient in nutrients.
Acupuncture
Traditional Chinese medicine has, for hundreds of years, helped people heal from disease. Using acupuncture to open the meridians helps qi flow efficiently through the body, alleviating pain and healing imbalances.
Also known as chiropractic medicine, physical medicine involves adjusting the vertebral column in order to achieve healing. Pain, digestion, and even emotions can be improved by properly realigning the spine.
Hydrotherapy
Using water to feel better is something most people do everyday, without realizing it. In the morning, a hot shower increases circulation and stimulates alertness while relaxing tight muscles and joints. Hot water bottles, hot baths, and colon hydrotherapy have been used for ages to heal the body from various ailments.
Psychological counseling
Counseling, or psychotherapy, is a very effective way to release emotional blocks while gaining insight about current struggles. Counselors help a person process difficult situations and feelings and often recommend steps and tools which can help one to overcome challenges.