Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

Learn more about the principles of Naturopathic Medicine that our Naturopathic Doctors at Richmond Natural Medicine adhere to.

1. Let Nature Heal

The body has an innate wisdom and desire to heal itself. The naturopathic doctor’s objective is to help identify and remove any barriers or obstacles which may be preventing a person from getting well. These obstacles may take the shape of external stressors, specific foods, or unhealthy lifestyle habits. Once these barriers are removed and the body is given what it needs, healing can take place.

2. Identify and Treat the Cause

Rather than focusing on making symptoms go away or covering them up, a naturopathic doctor looks for the core cause(s) of the illness. Often when symptoms present, other practitioners will recommend prescribing a drug, which cause the symptoms to go away. This is useful in some cases, perhaps because the body is allowed time to rest and heal itself. Other times, when the medication is removed, the symptoms return because they were simply hidden; the root problem or imbalance has never been directly addressed. Even though the drug may have provided some enhanced quality of life, it has not changed or healed the person. Addressing the real reason behind symptoms results in both symptom relief and long term improved health.

3. Do no Harm

Just like other doctors, naturopathic doctors take the Hippocratic Oath which states simply, not to do harm. Using this guiding principle, naturopathic doctors often begin using the least invasive forms of medicine to begin healing. Commonly recommended treatments include herbal medicine, homeopathy, nutritional support, and lifestyle modification. These are all quite safe and in fact, side effects of naturopathic therapies are typically few to none. When an evaluation or treatment is required that is outside of the normal scope for a naturopathic doctor or is beyond their ability to assist a patient (much more common in an unlicensed state, such as Virginia), appropriate referrals will always be made to ensure the best care for the individual patient.

4. Doctor as Teacher

Naturopathic doctors believe in empowering patients, and the best way to do this is through education. It is important to understand why a therapy is recommended, how it works, and how the body will respond. Naturopathic doctors spend the necessary time making sure each person understands the root imbalance or problem, and will discuss ways to remedy the situation. It is important for patients to have ample time to ask questions and also to receive feedback. Questions are always welcome! Naturopathic doctors also teach individuals how to care for themselves in general terms to avoid the recurrence of symptoms, which is essential for long-term wellness.

5. Treat the Whole Person

Each one of us is unique and complex. We are not simply a sum of body parts or a list of diagnoses.  What’s going on in one part of the body affects another part, which affects your thoughts, your mood, and everything else. True health encompasses our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Naturopathic Doctors acknowledge all of these components and complexities with each and every client.

6. Prevent Illness and Preserve Health

As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Investing in your health now will save you from paying for it later. In the realm of naturopathic medicine, we not only take into account your health in the past and during the present – we also consider what it will be in the future. Looking at each person’s health history, risk factors, and susceptibility to disease, appropriate steps can be taken to prevent health issues in the future. Life-long wellness after all is always the long term goal. The practice of naturopathic medicine is based on the understanding of the body’s ability to heal itself.  When people experience signs and symptoms of illness, these symptoms serve as an indicator that there is an imbalance or a problem.  Ignoring these symptoms doesn’t make the problem go away; often times the signs and symptoms worsen until one has to pay attention and gain medical help.  In some cases, people experience symptoms of a problem but the cause is undetermined or it is overlooked.  However, the body is wise, using signs and symptoms to let you know that there is an imbalance.  This imbalance could be cumulative or based upon lack or excess of nutritional factors, daily habits, infection or environmental issues.  Instead of ignoring or suppressing symptoms or signs of a problem, naturopathic medicine looks to support the body to deal with these assaults in a more comfortable and efficient way – in other words, working with the body, not against it.  The goal is to find the cause of the imbalance and use the symptoms to guide and lead one to finding the cause of disease.