About Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathy is a patient-centered medicine that recognizes the integrity of the whole person and focuses on overall wellness and prevention of disease. American naturopathic medicine combines old therapies from cultures around the world with modern Western bio-medicine. Naturopaths are trained to use both conventional and natural approaches to treat acute illness and manage chronic health conditions.
In the state of Oregon naturopathic doctors are licensed to diagnose and treat disease, order diagnostic exams, lab tests and can prescribe all primary care level pharmaceuticals. Naturopathic physicians are the only licensed health care providers with advanced training in drug-herb, and drug-nutrient interactions and complications.
The scope of natural therapeutics includes clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, physical medicine, natural childbirth, minor surgery, and lifestyle counseling. Naturopathic physicians are guided by six therapeutic principles that are based on the premise that healing is intrinsic to the nature of all living organisms:
First, Do No Harm.
In the state of Oregon naturopathic doctors are licensed to diagnose and treat disease, order diagnostic exams, lab tests and can prescribe all primary care level pharmaceuticals. Naturopathic physicians are the only licensed health care providers with advanced training in drug-herb, and drug-nutrient interactions and complications.
The scope of natural therapeutics includes clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, physical medicine, natural childbirth, minor surgery, and lifestyle counseling. Naturopathic physicians are guided by six therapeutic principles that are based on the premise that healing is intrinsic to the nature of all living organisms:
First, Do No Harm.
- Naturopathic physicians choose the most non-invasive and least toxic treatments necessary for each patient.
- Naturopathic doctors recognize the body’s inherent ability to heal itself.
- Naturopathic doctors aim to identify, address and remove the underlying causes of disease.
- Educating and supporting patients on personal health management is an important role for naturopathic doctors. They empower patients to take responsibility for their own health.
- Naturopathic doctors treat the patient, not the disease. A naturopathic assessment is extensive and addresses the nutritional status, lifestyle, family history, physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors in a person’s life.
- Naturopathic doctors promote a focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention.