Principles

The Healing Power Of Nature. Naturopathic medicine recognizes
an inherit self-healing process in the person which is ordered and
intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove
obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment this
inherent self-healing process.

Identify and Treat the Causes. The naturopathic physician seeks to
identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to
merely eliminate or suppress symptoms.

First Do No Harm. Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to
avoid harming the patient:

Utilize methods and medical substances which minimize the     risk of
harmful side effects, using the least force necessary to     diagnose
and treat.

Avoid when possible the harmful suppression of symptoms.

Acknowledge, respect and work with the individual's
self-healing process.

Doctor As Teacher. Naturopathic physicians educate their patients
and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and
employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.

Treat the Whole Person. Naturopathic physicians treat each patient
by taking into account individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic,
environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also
includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage
individuals to pursue their personal spiritual development.

Prevention. Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of
disease -- assessing risk factors, heredity and susceptibility to
disease and making appropriate interventions in partnership with
their patients to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine is committed
to the creation of a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.