Six principles guide the therapeutic methods and modalities of naturopathic medicine:
- The Healing Power of Nature: Naturopathic physicians generally ascribe to the view that the human organism has a unique capacity to heal itself and that such healing is only aided, not accomplished, by a physician. Their role is to facilitate and augment this process by identifying and removing obstacles to health and wellness. This concept is simply referred to in naturopathic medicine as the vis medicatrix naturae -the healing power of nature.
- First Do No Harm: Naturopathic physicians, when given a choice of nearly equally effective agents, will generally choose the one that is safest. A more exact translation of this Hippocratic concept would be that sometimes-harmful therapies are needed but they should be reserved for the last resort and, if at all possible, avoided. Naturopathic physicians prefer to use non-invasive treatments, which minimize the risk of harmful side effect. They treat the cause of disease rather than merely eliminating or suppressing symptoms.
- Doctor as Teacher: The original meaning of the word doctor, Docere’, is teacher. A naturopathic physician’s primary role as educator is to assist in the self-empowerment of their patients to take responsibility for their health and to make choices that positively impact their health and well being. This means that information sharing with the patient should take place so that they are able to make informed decisions about their health care. This principle also implies that the patient has a responsibility to assist in the restoration of his or her own health. It is the patient, not the doctor, who ultimately creates/accomplishes healing.
- Prevention and Wellness: Naturopathic physicians are specialists in preventative medicine. Whenever possible, naturopathic physicians work to prevent illness rather than waiting until invasive treatment is required. It is their primary goal to assess individual risk factors and not only maintain health, but optimize health. This is done by education and encouragement of a lifestyle that supports health and prevents disease.
- Treat the Cause: Naturopathic physicians typically strive to determine the underlying causes of illness and to address these to the extent that it is feasible. All facets of a patient (physical, mental, emotion, genetic, environmental, and social factors) must be considered in order to identify and treat the cause. The naturopathic model holds that it is imperative to avoid suppressing symptoms in most cases without addressing the cause of the dysfunction. It is believed that if this clinical guideline is not observed, the potential for even greater pathology may ultimately be created.
- Treat the Whole Person: To facilitate healing, it is vital to address all levels of an individual that may impact their health. Health or disease results from a complex interaction of physical, emotional, spiritual, dietary, genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and other factors. The physician must treat the whole person by taking all of these factors into account.