What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine (also known as Naturopathy) is a school of medical philosophy and practice that seeks to improve health and approach disease chiefly by assisting the body's innate capacity to recover from illness and injury. Naturopathic practice may include a broad array of different modalities, including homeopathic medicine, whole food supplements, botanical medicine, environmental medicine, nutrition, and so on. Practitioners tend to emphasize a holistic approach to patient care. Naturopathy has its origins in the United States, but is today practiced in many countries around the world in one form or another, where it is subject to different standards of regulation and levels of acceptance. Naturopathic practitioners prefer not to use invasive surgery, or most synthetic drugs, preferring "natural" remedies; i.e., relatively unprocessed or whole medications, such as herbs and foods.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
Vis Medicatrix Naturae (The Healing Power
of Nature) The body has the inherent ability to establish,
maintain, and restore health. The healing process is ordered and
intelligent; nature heals through the response of the life force.
The doctor's role is to facilitate and augment this process, to
identify and remove obstacles to health and recovery, and to support
the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.
Tolle Causam (Identify and Treat the Cause)
Illness does not occur without cause. Underlying causes of disease
must be discovered and removed or treated before a person can
recover completely from illness. Symptoms are expressions of the
body's attempt to heal, but are not the cause of disease; therefore,
naturopathic medicine addresses itself primarily to the underlying
causes of disease, rather than to the symptoms. Causes may occur
on many levels, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
The doctor must evaluate fundamental underlying causes on all
levels, directing treatment at root causes as well as seeking
relief of symptoms.
Primum Non Nocere (First Do No Harm)
Therapeutic actions that are complementary to and synergistic
with the body's innate healing process prevent harm to patients.
Naturopathic doctors follow three precepts to avoid harming the
patient:
- Use methods and medicinal substances that minimize the risk of harmful effects, and apply the least possible force or intervention necessary to diagnose illness and restore health.
- Whenever possible, avoid symptom suppression as it can interfere with the healing process.
- Respect and cooperate with the vis medicatrix naturae in therapies.
Tolle Totum (Treat the Whole Person)
Health and disease are conditions of the whole organism, involving
a complex interaction of physical, spiritual, mental, emotional,
genetic, environmental, and social factors. The doctor must treat
the whole person by taking all of these factors into account.
The harmonious functioning of all aspects of the individual is
essential to recovery from and prevention of disease, and requires
a personalized and comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment.
Docere (The Doctor as Teacher) Beyond
an accurate diagnosis and appropriate prescription, the doctor
must work to create a healthy, sensitive interpersonal relationship
with the patient. A cooperative doctor-patient relationship has
inherent therapeutic value. The doctor's major role is to educate
and encourage the patient to take responsibility for his or her
own health. The doctor is a catalyst for healthful change, empowering
and motivating the patient to assume responsibility. It is the
patient, not the doctor, who ultimately creates or accomplishes
healing. The doctor must strive to inspire hope as well as understanding.
The doctor must also make a commitment to her/his personal and
spiritual development in order to be a good teacher.
Principiis obsta: Sero medicina curator
(Prevention) The ultimate goal of naturopathic medicine
is prevention. This is accomplished through education and promotion
of lifestyle habits that foster good health. The doctor assesses
risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and makes
appropriate interventions to avoid further harm and risk to the
patient. The emphasis is on building health rather than on fighting
disease. Because it is difficult to be healthy in an unhealthy
world, it is the responsibility of both doctor and patient to
create a healthier environment in which to live.
Naturopathic Services with Dr. Carolyn at Joy of
Raphael
Naturopathic Care Living things have an innate ability to heal themselves. Our vital force promotes self– cleansing, self-repair, and therefore self-healing. Dr. Carolyn’s Naturopathic approach to wellness supports this innate wisdom of your body.
Initial Assessment $125 1 hour
30 Minute Follow-up $75 30 minutes
15 minute Follow-up $40 15 minutes
Complimentary 15 minute visits with Dr. Carolyn are also available. During this appointment Dr. Carolyn can determine if a Naturopathic approach is best suited to your particular health care concerns.
If you are suffering from any type of hormonal imbalance (thyroid, female cycle issues, menopausal issues, etc) we recommend that you view Dr. Carolyn’s presentation on healthy thyroid functioning prior to your appointment, free of charge, the day of your complimentary visit in our relaxing video room.
Electro-Dermal Screening (EDS):
A Window into the Meridians
This is a non-invasive computerized method of assessing the meridians, or energetic pathways, of the body that are traditionally associated with particular organs and systems. By combining ancient wisdom with modern technology we arrive at a highly accurate assessment of imbalances which are a possible cause for health concerns. *
EDS Complete $125 1 hour
EDS 45 Minute $95 45 minutes
EDS 30 Minute $75 30 minutes
EDS Quick Check $40 15 minutes
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