- First, Do No Harm: This important principle is followed by minimizing the risk of harmful side effects by using the most gentle and non-invasive natural therapies that support the individual’s own vital force.
- The Healing Power of Nature: Naturopathic medicine recognizes the innate power of the body in healing itself. Naturopathic physicians try to facilitate an individual’s own healing ability by stimulating his/her immune system through naturopathic therapies and lifestyle counselling.
- Identify and Treat the Causes: In Naturopathic medicine, the underlying cause of any illness is identified and treated as opposed to merely eliminating the symptoms of the disease and not addressing the root cause of it.
- Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic physicians treat the total health of their patients by incorporating physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors in their diagnosis.
- Doctor as Teacher: Naturopathic physicians always try to share their knowledge with their patients and empower them to be active participants in their own healing journey. They also encourage their patients to take a more active role in their health and wellbeing by returning to a more health promoting lifestyle.
- Disease prevention and Health Promotion: One of the major differences between naturopathic medicine and conventional medicine is that disease prevention is greatly emphasized in naturopathy and this would help to create a healthier society.
Dr. Qingping Zheng, ND 