Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine is a form of primary health care that looks at the physical, mental and emotional aspects of the individual. It is based on the understanding that all of these influence each other and must work together to maintain a healthy state. Addressing the cause of illness brings the whole person back to health, rather than treating or suppressing the symptoms. Naturopathic doctors may use a number of therapies to treat any one condition, those implemented being the result of a thorough health assessment of the individual.
These treatments include:
- Clinical nutrition: including vitamin supplements
- Homeopathic medicine
- Botanical (herbal) medicine
- Acupuncture
- Lifestyle modification
Naturopathic medicine, or natural medicine, is a distinct and coordinated system of primary health care. It is a comprehensive medical system that combines conventional medical training with natural therapies in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. It incorporates naturally occurring substances and established therapies to stimulate the body’s own immune and healing properties. The fundamental principle of natural medicine is to find the root cause of a person’s disease, rather than just treating the symptoms. Treatment plans are individualized to the person’s own needs, incorporating the person’s physical, mental, environmental, genetic and social aspects that may contribute to their disease.
Many extended health care plans include naturopathic treatment as part of their complete health care coverage.