What is Naturopathy?

WHAT IS A CLASSICAL NATUROPATH DOCTOR?

First let's look at the word "Doctor". Originally the word meant "a teacher". Therefore one who is trained in classical naturopathy concentrates on teaching.

A classical naturopath specializes in wellness, by teaching clients how to apply natural lifestyle approaches which act to facilitate the body's own ability to heal itself. Therefore Classical Naturopathy concentrates on identifying destructive aspects in lifestyles that lead to disharmony. A Naturopathic Doctor does not diagnose or treat any specific diseases. In fact diagnosing disease and illness is totally unnecessary to correcting the underlying problems that result in disease and illness.

THE PRINCIPLES OF NATUROPATHIC PHILOSOPHY**:

DO NO HARM: Taken from the Hippocratic Oath, Primum non nocere, sounds like a no brainer. Why would a healer want to do anything to harm the body further? Hippocrates was actually a vitalist (one who believes in the body's inherent ability to self heal and observes what the body is doing and then supports the body's own actions toward wellness) as compared to an atomists (allopathic or western medicine which treats symptoms) who tries to control and suppress thus sometimes overriding what the body is trying to do which often creates internal conflict --- commonly called "side affects".

RECOGNIZE THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE: Vis medicatrix naturae. This principle accepts the fact that the body is designed to be self-healing, self-cleansing and self-maintaining. Naturopathy is a system designed to work in harmony with nature in the restoration and support for the inherent natural healing systems of the body.

IDENTIFY THE CAUSE: Tolle causam. Naturopaths seek to identify and correct the root cause of the symptoms which then allows the body to restore health.

INVOLVE THE TOTAL PERSON: We are spiritual, mental, emotional and physical beings. Living in "Harmonic Health" means that our entire being is flowing freely without any physical, emotional or spiritual resistance or "log jams".

TEACH RATHER THAN TREAT: Naturopathic philosophy places the responsibility for wellness with the individual. A Natural or Harmonic Health coach supports their client's agendas rather than promote their desires for the client.

PROMOTE PREVENTION: It is simple to recognize that maintaining health is easier than recovering from disease. Therefore, Naturopathic Doctors place a great deal of emphasis on prevention.

**The Council on Naturopathic Registration and Accreditation Inc.