What is Naturopathic Care?

Naturopathic Medicine encompasses the healing wisdom of many cultures. The modern practice has its roots in the European Nature Cure movement of the 19th century. Vitality Integrative Care approaches treatment with the perspective and understanding of these century’s old traditions.

Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

• The Healing Power of Nature – Vis Medicatrix Naturae – The body has an innate ability to heal. The Naturopath’s role is to facilitate the healing process, helping the patient to achieve balance, remove obstacles, and create a healthy internal and external environment.

• Identify and Treat the Cause – tolle causam – Symptoms are the expression of the body’s attempts to heal and are not typically  the cause of the disease. The Naturopath seeks the underlying cause of disease by examining physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.

• First do no Harm – primum no nocere – The Naturopath will pay attention to the ways in which treatments are affecting the body. Remedies used to suppress symptoms without addressing the underlying cause are considered harmful.

• Treat the Whole Person – in perturbato animo sicut in corpore sanitas esse non potest – The health of a person involves many aspects, including social, environmental, genetic, physical, mental, and emotional to name a few. Naturopaths take a personalized and comprehensive approach to health.

• Doctor as Teacher – Docere – The Naturopath’s responsibility is to educate the patient on their health and to assist the patient in taking responsibility for their own health. The Naturopath helps the patient become empowered to make changes that are in accordance to a healthy balanced lifestyle.

• Prevention – principiis obsta: sero medicina curatur – The emphasis is on building health instead of fighting disease. The Naturopath teaches a healthy lifestyle and habits while assessing risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease by giving recommendations for prevention.