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Naturopathic medicine is a comprehensive and holistic
approach to improving health, and treating illness in patients of all ages. It is the art and science of disease diagnosis,
treatment and prevention using natural therapies and substances. Naturopathic treatments can be used effectively on
their own or complement conventional medical treatments. A Naturopathic Doctor blends modern clinical sciences with traditional
healing practices.
The Modalities used by a Naturopathic Doctor include...
- Clinical Nutrition - the use of foods,
special diets and nutraceutical supplements to fortify a patients dietary intake.
- Botanical Medicine - the use of plants
and their constituents as medicine. Naturopathic Doctors use herbs from around the world in the form of capsules, teas,
tinctures, foods and salves.
- Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine - The insertion of sterile needles along meridian
points to stimulate the bodies own healing energy (Qi). Chinese herbal patents, food choices and lifestyle factors are
also employed to achieve balance.
- Homeopathy - Based on the principle of like cures like, minute quantities of animal, vegetable
or mineral are given to strengthen vitality and heal body, mind and spirit.
- Lifestyle Counseling - Examining ones life to find ways
to alleviate stress and burden, to actively seek harmony at work, at home and at leisure.
- Physical Medicine - includes soft tissue
massage, spinal manipulation and hydrotherapy.
The Principals of Naturopathic Medicine are...
- First
do no harm - a ND uses natural substances and gentle practices with few side effects. We are also educated in the fields
of pharmacology to minimize the potential interactions between conventional and alternative medicines.
- To cooperate with the healing
powers of nature - We cannot have healthy people on a sick planet, so we must take care of our environment and use
the gifts of the earth in a respectful manner.
- To address the fundamental cause of disease - Rather than focusing on symptom reduction we
aim to discover and treat the root cause of the presenting ailment.
- To heal the whole person through individualized treatment
- We do not treat body parts in isolation of the whole person, we take into account the physical, psychological and spiritual
health of each patient, and treat each with a unique combination of our modalities.
- To teach the principals of healthy living
and preventative medicine - A ND emphasizes patient education with the intention of empowering individuals towards
self responsibility and control over their own health care decisions. We are also eager to share our knowledge and expertise,
whether it be in a clinical setting where we educate our patients about treatment and prevention, or to small groups within
our communities, or at professional conferences.
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