Naturopathic medicine has its roots in the oldest forms of medicine: herbal remedies, nutritional guidance, water therapy, physical medicine (massage, etc.), homeopathy, and exercise. Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care doctors through a four-year medical education, specializing in the treatment of acute and chronic disease with natural substances and techniques, and offering modern diagnostic services as needed.
The individual is seen as a whole, and the treatment addresses the cause of disease as well as the symptoms.
There are five following precepts or tenets that are inherent to the practice of Naturopathic Medicine.
THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE
(VIS MEDICATRIX NATURAE)
The belief in the inherent self-healing ability of the human body to establish, maintain and
restore health.
IDENTIFY AND TREAT THE CAUSE
(TOLLE CAUSAM)
Illness does not occur without cause. Naturopaths seek to find and treat the cause of disease, rather than to only eliminate or suppress symptoms.
FIRST DO NO HARM
(PRIMUM NON NOCERE)
Naturopathy utilizes methods and medical substances which minimize the risk of harmful side-effects and applies the least possible force or intervention to diagnose illness and restore health.
DOCTOR AS TEACHER
(DOCERE)
A principle objective of Naturopathic Medicine is to educate the patient and emphasize self-responsibility for health. Naturopaths recognize a partnership must be established before the healing process can begin.
TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON
This is a recognition that the harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual and essential for health.
At the Center for Integrative Medicine we have three Naturopathic Doctors. Dr. Christine Kuhlman, Dr. Niña Iselin, and Dr. Deb Sellars.
