When you have a health problem, you need to address the root cause of it. Rather than treat the symptoms, naturopaths focus on finding out what is causing it and repairing that.
Naturopaths prioritize the least invasive and least toxic methods of diagnosis and treatment. They follow six core principles: healing power of nature, identify and treat the cause, first do no harm, whole person approach, doctor as teacher and prevention as the best cure. Visit https://medicinetothrive.com/ to learn more.
The root of the word doctor comes from Latin, docere, meaning to teach. As such, one of the key responsibilities for a naturopath is to teach patients healthy lifestyle habits and dietary choices, which they are encouraged to bring into their daily lives. As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.”
During their visits, naturopaths ask patients about their diet, exercise, stress levels and environmental exposures at home and work to get a full picture of what is contributing to their health issues. This information allows them to create an individualized treatment plan that takes all factors into consideration.
Unlike conventional medicine, where prescriptions treat symptoms only, naturopathic doctors look for the root imbalance and aim to resolve it permanently. This prevents current health issues from getting worse, and reduces the risk of future problems from arising. A naturopath may recommend dietary changes, nutritional supplements or herbal medicines as part of your wellness plan. These treatments are based on scientific evidence, including randomized controlled trials. However, naturopaths also consider patient preferences, clinic expertise and the therapeutic order when choosing therapy options. This ensures that your treatment is safe and effective. This is the foundation of a patient-centered approach to healthcare.
Lifestyle
The early naturopaths believed that the same vital force that made up nature and the universe flowed through man and when this was disrupted it caused illness. They recognized that it was only when this life-force was restored that the body could heal itself. To achieve this they used food, water treatments, exercise, rest and sunshine. They viewed the patient as a whole person – physical, emotional and spiritual and treated all of these aspects to restore balance.
In contrast to conventional medicine where prescriptions treat symptoms – for example, an anti-inflammatories treats inflammation but does nothing to address the imbalance causing the symptoms – a naturopath will work to identify and fix the underlying cause. They will use natural remedies and medicines that are non-invasive and have the least risk of side effects. They adhere to the medical principle of first do no harm (primum non nocere).
Naturopaths also promote illness prevention strategies that will reduce the number of doctor visits and illnesses that patients experience. By assessing the patient’s lifestyle, environment and family history they are able to determine potential susceptibilities to disease that can be prevented with simple changes. This holistic approach enables patients to feel more empowered in taking responsibility for their own health and wellbeing.
Stress Management
NDs understand that high levels of stress can be a root cause of many health problems. They may recommend strategies such as deep breathing, tai chi, yoga, meditation, mindfulness and/or hydrotherapy to help you relax. They also promote healthy lifestyle habits, such as getting enough sleep and maintaining a strong social network, which are known to reduce stress.
Naturopaths use lab tests, a patient’s subjective story and clinical expertise to create a treatment plan that fits the individual. They are like tailors, finding treatments that fit each patient’s unique needs. This is often a process of trial and error, and requires patience and good communication.
For example, if riboflavin has been shown in a randomized controlled trial to reduce migraine headaches, it will be included in the naturopathic treatment plan for a patient with migraine headaches. This is because naturopathic physicians recognize that not all illnesses are caused by one factor, and they aim to treat the whole person.
A naturopath will ask about your diet, family history, exercise habits and stress levels during a visit that lasts an hour or more. They are trained to listen to you and believe that a holistic approach is the best way to prevent, diagnose and treat illness.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a system of medicine that uses highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s innate ability to self-heal. Based on the principle that “like cures like,” homeopathic medicines are thought to strengthen your immune system and address both physical and emotional imbalances.
A naturopath will use the principles of homeopathy to help you heal from a wide variety of illnesses, including digestive problems, hormonal imbalances and autoimmune disorders. They will also prescribe herbal remedies and nutritional supplements to treat your condition and promote overall wellness.
Naturopaths prioritize patient education and focus on helping you create a healthy lifestyle that prevents disease and improves your emotional state. They teach you how to avoid foods and environmental toxins that can cause illness, as well as provide stress management techniques.
A naturopath will help you find a balance between work, family and social life so that you can live a happy and fulfilled life. They will also offer a range of counselling techniques, such as life coaching and relaxation strategies. In addition, they will incorporate hydrotherapy – using water in various forms and temperatures to enhance healing. This is particularly effective for chronic illnesses such as arthritis and chronic fatigue.
Botanical Medicine
Naturopathy has developed many healing modalities that can be used to treat the whole person. Some of these modalities, such as homeopathy and herbs, have strong scientific support and have been shown to be effective. There is an ongoing need for naturopathic research to develop a stronger evidence base for the profession.
Treatment modalities include soft tissue work and spinal manipulation, hydrotherapy (using warm and cold water), therapeutic exercise, acupuncture, and herbal medicine. A naturopathic doctor will address the physical, mental and emotional aspects of a patient. They will also use short-term situational counseling and other mind-body techniques to assist in the healing process.
Early naturopaths understood that man was part of nature and the universe and that health was achieved through living in harmony with this concept. It was a disconnection from this source that caused illness. Naturopaths believed that by restoring the flow of this vital force, the body would heal itself.
Today, naturopathic doctors continue to practice in the tradition of their ancestors but also incorporate modern medical practices, such as laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, pharmacognosy, and clinical nutrition. In addition, they work hand-in-hand with leading research institutions to grow the evidence base for naturopathic medicine.
Herbalism
In the age of wonder drugs, many people are seeking gentler ways to regulate their bodies and feel good. Often, strong prescription medications are not effective for long and can lead to unwanted side effects.
Naturopaths believe that the body can heal itself if given the right tools and environment. They use modern scientific findings and research to uncover the root cause of a health concern and provide natural remedies and treatment strategies.
Herbal medicine is a common practice in naturopathic healing and one of the most powerful herbal treatments available. Plants can help with a variety of conditions including pain, stress, insomnia, and inflammation. Using herbs to treat symptoms is based on the principle that like cures like. If a herb can make someone sick, it is also known to relieve that sickness.
In a world of rushed conventional doctor’s office visits, naturopaths spend an hour or more with each patient and listen to their concerns. They understand that every person’s life experiences and circumstances are different, so they seek to find the underlying causes of each individual’s health concerns. By understanding the connection between lifestyle and health, they aim to encourage patients to take responsibility for their own well-being.
Hydrotherapy
The naturopathic doctor’s primary role is to educate patients and encourage self-directed health. They will emphasize the importance of diet, lifestyle and exercise before any suggestion of medication. Naturopathic physicians are also concerned with disease prevention and will look at all aspects of your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness to identify any potential problems that may arise in the future.
Rather than offering prescription medications as the cure-all for every illness, naturopaths will work with you to find the root cause of your health issues and eliminate them for good. They understand that your body’s innate desire is to heal itself and will help you remove any obstacles that are standing in the way of this natural process.
Hydrotherapy is the use of hot and cold water to stimulate the body’s innate healing abilities. In naturopathic medicine, this is known as constitutional hydrotherapy and it can be used to cleanse the entire system and remove stagnation, which is often a precursor to illness. It can be used to treat a wide variety of health conditions including gastrointestinal disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. It can even be used to help reduce anxiety and depression.