Naturopathic medicine is based on several principles:

• First do no harm.
  Choosing appropriate treatments that encourage the body's healing response without suppressing the body's immune response is vital to naturopathic medicine. Occasionally surgery or a prescription drug is the optimal treatment; however, the majority of conditions are successfully treated with natural modalities which are effective and without the potential for harmful side effects.
  
  
• Treat the whole person.
  Supporting all aspects of a person's physical, emotional and spiritual health is as equally important as addressing the presenting illness.
  
  
• The healing power of nature - vis medicatrix naturae
  The body has an inherent ability to heal itself and will usually do so with proper nutritive support. It is essential to "remove the obstacles to cure" such as poor lifestyle choices and external stresses and toxins in order to properly heal.
  
  
• Identify the cause
  Naturopathic physicians work diligently at providing more than symptomatic relief of an illness. They look for the cause of the illness whether it be a physical or emotional stress that weakens the immune system and allows for an acute or chronic illness to manifest.
  
  
• Physician as teacher.
  Educating and counseling the client regarding many aspects of proper health, nutrition, and lifestyle changes are important responsibilities of a Naturopathic physician.
  
  
• Prevention of disease.
  Naturopathic physicians believe that the investment in today's health is the prevention of tomorrow's disease.
  
  

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