- First, to do no harm: by using methods and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side effects.
- To treat the causes of disease: by identifying and removing the underlying causes of illness, rather than suppressing symptoms.
- To teach the principles of healthy living and preventative medicine: by sharing knowledge with patients and encouraging individual responsibility for health
- To heal the whole person through individualized treatment: by understanding the unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors that contribute to illness, and customizing treatment protocols to the patient.
- To emphasize prevention: by partnering with the patient to assess risk factors and recommend appropriate naturopathic interventions to maintain health and prevent illness.
- To support the healing power of the body: by recognizing and removing obstacles to the body’s inherent self-healing process.
The above information was obtained from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine website. For more information visit http://www.ccnm.edu
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