A Naturopathic Medicine Overview

We want to offer a brief overview of what Naturopathic Medicine is all about, why it is a vital integrative approach, and how to describe it to your friends and family asking, “What are you doing that’s making such a difference?” 

Naturopathic medicine is a system of primary care healthcare thats foundation lies in natural, effective and safe therapies for prevention and treatment. With these therapies Naturopathic Physicians utilize the body’s self-healing capabilities. That’s right, your own body can heal itself when put in an optimal environment to do its own thing, a little principle we Naturopathic physicians like to call, “Vix Maticatrix Naturae,” or The Healing Power of Nature. In our extensive medical training, we acknowledge this innate ability of the body and we strive to enhance it within you, our patients.

Licensed Naturopathic Doctors (ND’s) combine modern science and western medicine with the traditional healing methods of traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture and botanicals to treat the person sitting right in front of us, not just the symptoms. In fact, ND’s approach towards healing is a bottom up view, rather than top down, showing that getting to the root cause of your concerns will create a ripple effect and lead to the elimination of your symptoms. When we go after the symptoms alone, without really addressing the underlying reason they are present, we often won’t have lasting results. Our symptoms are clues about what is going on at a deeper level. If we pacify them, (say an anti-cough medicine for a cough), we are only suppressing disease and simply hoping for the best. You deserve true healing and restoration, not a band aid.  

But what does that mean, exactly? Well, as ND’s pride themselves on individualized care, it differs for each patient case. However, we have a system that directs the treatment to provide the most benefit with the least risk called the Therapeutic Order. This was developed by Drs. Jared Zeff, Pamela Snider, and Stephen Myers to assists ND’s in unearthing the root causes of illness, develop foundations for health and create lasting healing.

       

1. Remove Obstacles to Health

2. Stimulate the Vis

3. Strengthen Weakened Systems

4. Correct Structural Integrity

5. Use Natural Substances to Restore and Regenerate

6. Use Pharmacologic Substances to Halt Progressive Pathology

7. Use High Force, Invasive Modalities: Surgery, Radiation, Chemotherapy

So, what guides Naturopathic Medicine and all of its students, educators, researchers and licensed physicians to uphold the prestigious honor of being a crucial medical profession? The six (sometimes 7) Principles of Naturopathic Medicine. These are echoed at every graduation of the 7 Accredited Naturopathic Programs Across 8 North American Campuses.

1.     Vis Medicatrix Naturae – The Healing Power of Nature
2.     Tolle Causam – Identify and Treat The Cause
3.     Primum No Nocere – First, Do No Harm
4.     In Perturbato Animo Sicut In Corpore Sanitas Esse Non Potest – Treat The Whole Person
5.     Docere – Physician as Teacher
6.     Principiis Obsta: Sero Medicina Curatur – Prevention
7.     BONUS : Physician Heal Thyself – We recognize that we cannot help facilitate your healing process if we do not first heal within ourselves.

Now, when you come in to see our Naturopathic Physicians at Health For Life, you will have a better understanding of what to expect and why they take more than the standard amount of time to get to know you. With the confidence of knowing what we do and how we do it, you can trust you will find successful healing with us.

Dr. Nicole Cain, ND MA who practices in Grand Rapids, MI and also several months of the year in Scottsdale, AZ as well.