We are in the middle of a paradigm shift. Our understanding of health and medicine is expanding, and both practitioners and patients embrace a holistic, integrated approach. Patients are becoming more informed via the Internet, through word of mouth and diligent research, that there is something significantly missing from medicine in the current standard of care in the American health care system. What they find and flow is a group of doctors who also expanded this advanced approach to medicine. Some of these practitioners have taken a more holistic approach, realizing that something is missing in their medical training, and have thought through graduate school to supplement their understanding of holistic medicine. Other practitioners discovered their passion before entering medical school and continued to study naturopathic medicine.
So this raises the questions: “What is naturopathic medicine,” and where does Naturopathic medicine fit the paradigm shift?
What is this medicine?
Naturopathic doctors (ND) are specialists in the field of integrative medicine, combining intensive education and training in both natural and traditional medicine, paying particular attention to using the safest, least invasive methods of treating diseases by restoring health. Education includes a 4-year graduate program, national exams in basic and clinical sciences and a curriculum, including basic sciences, clinical sciences, diagnostic methods and tests, pharmacology, minor surgery and a range of natural treatments, including botanical medicine, nutrition and nutrition. biochemistry, physical medicine, homeopathy, oriental and Chinese medicine and mind / body medicine.
Integral to this medicine is a unifying philosophical approach to health, summarized in the Principles of Naturopathic Medicine, which recognizes the innate wisdom and healing of the body (Vis Medicatrix Naturae) and the role of the physician in treating diseases by restoring the body to its natural and balanced state (Tolle Causum). Treatment programs include a variety of methods that can include dietary and lifestyle changes, homeopathy, botanical medicine, nutraceuticals, IV nutritional therapy and, when justified, pharmaceutical intervention. NDs begin with the least invasive treatment methods and proceed to higher levels of intervention only as needed. This approach is described in the so-called "Therapeutic Order",
Principles of naturopathic medicine:
1. Do no harm at first, Primum Non Nocere - this principle underlies any medical specialist. NDs follow the therapeutic order, which emphasizes the use of the least strength necessary to restore health, using the least toxic and minimally invasive interventions and only when necessary in the case of more toxic and invasive interventions.
2. The healing power of nature, Vis Medicatrix Naturae - First described by Hippocrates as the healing power of nature. This is the vital power of a person in allowing a person to overcome a disease. Naturopathic medicine recognizes the inherent, orderly and sensible process of self-healing in every person. ND - identify and eliminate obstacles to healing and recovery, as well as facilitate and strengthen this integral process of self-healing.
3. Identify and treat the cause, Tolle Kausem. The doctor seeks to identify and eliminate the underlying causes of the disease, and not to deliberately eliminate or suppress the symptoms experienced by the patient.
4. Doctor as a teacher, the Daughter-ND educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also recognize and exploit the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship.
5. Treat the Whole Face - ND treat each patient, taking into account the individual physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual and other factors that contribute to health.
6. Prevention - ND emphasizes the prevention of factors that assess disease, heredity, and susceptibility to disease, and are working to make appropriate decisions in partnership with their patients to prevent the disease.
Naturopathic therapeutic order
1. Establishment of conditions for health - Identification and elimination of disturbing factors - Institute of a healthier regime
2. Stimulate the healing power of nature (in relation to medicatrix naturae): self-healing processes using low-strength methods such as constitutional hydrotherapy, homeopathy, acupuncture
3. Refer to weak or damaged systems or organs (through botanical medicine, homeopathy, orthomolecular nutrients, glandular membranes, homeopathy and other minimally invasive, safe, natural treatments)
- Strengthening the immune system
- Reduce toxicity
- Normalize inflammatory function
- Optimization of metabolic function
- Balance control systems
- Regeneration improvement
- Harmonize vitality
4. Proper structural integrity
5. Address pathology:
a. use specific natural substances, conditions or interventions
b. use of specific pharmacological or synthetic substances
6. Suppress or surgically remove the pathology
Why naturopathy?
As Gandhi said, we must "be the change you want to see in the world." The practice of ND is the change they want to see in medicine. Despite the fact that he did not receive universal recognition in the United States healthcare system, these doctors undertook the “tip of the faith”, knowing that integrative medicine is the best medicine and will ever acquire not only parity, but also a prominence. Naturopathy extends beyond the integration of multiple treatments and therapies. It includes an integrative an approach to all aspects of health and wellness. Starting from the first day of medical education ND and continuing the practice, each system of the body, function, illness and treatment are considered from a holistic point of view. It is highly likely that almost every integrative therapist shares at least some of these philosophical tenants, regardless of whether they are called naturopathic or “holistic” or “alternative”. It is also likely that many integrative practices differ in some philosophies, approaches, and approaches. Having an underlined general philosophical approach in combination with various styles, opinions, ideas and discoveries, fuel, progress and changes evolve. Thus, the philosophy and practice of Naturopathic medicine are part of an evolving consciousness and paradigm, moving towards a more holistic and integrative approach to health care, which will soon become a new standard for traditional medicine.
- Dr. Stacy Kupperman, N.D.
