WHAT IS A NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN (ND)?
Naturopaths are trained primary care practitioners who can treat most general health concerns, but emphasize individualized medicine combining both advanced natural and conventional therapies. NDs practice with a unique philosophy to address physical, environment, lifestyle, and emotional aspects of health in an effort to uncover the root cause of illness. For more information please visit the national and provincial associations for naturopathic physicians in Canada:
What can a Naturopathic doctor do for you?
Naturopathic Doctors treat all forms of health concerns. Many prospective patients seek naturopathic care for the following reasons:
THE PRINCIPLES OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE
FIRST, DO NO HARM
Naturopathic Doctors in BC have a broad scope of practice ranging from dry herbs to prescription hormones. We are trained to first consider, if warranted, minimally invasive therapies. While following standard of care medicine, we are able to work within a therapeutic order of treatments from lifestyle interventions to drugs and referrals when necessary.
SCIENTIA CRITICA
Critical appraisal and critical consciousness are important for NDs to evaluate medical knowledge, whether it be historical and traditional medicine use or modern day medical advancements. We strive to be up to date and knowledgeable so that you can feel confident and comfortable with our care.
IDENTIFY AND TREAT THE CAUSES
There is a time and place for symptom suppression, however most naturopathic patients will benefit from identifying the underlying causes of illness and removing obstacles to cure.
THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE
NDs look to nature for remedies that can often support our medical needs. We have so much in our system of medicine that acts synergistically with our body’s physiology in order to promote self-healing. Our relationship to our environment is one of the strongest medicines we have.
TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON
We are not islands unto ourselves. If a symptoms presents on our arm, the treatment may not necessarily applied to the arm. We see the big picture and direct our attention to you as a whole person. This is holism at its core.