Naturopathic medicine is a diverse system of primary healthcare that involves the use of natural therapies to prevent disease. The main purpose of Naturopathic medicine is to stimulate the natural healing ability of the body to address the root cause of illness.
Naturopathic Doctors believe that each individual is unique and, therefore, each treatment plan should be tailored to that patient.
Naturopathic Medicine relies on 6 principles:
- First do no harm (Primum Non Nocere)
- The healing power of nature (Vis Mediatrix Naturae)
- Identify and treat the cause of disease
- Treat the whole person through individualized treatment (Tolle Totum)
- The physician as a teacher (Docere)
- Prevention is the best cure
Who are Naturopathic Doctors?
Accreditation
Naturopathic Medicine is regulated under the Ontario provincial law. Similar to other family doctors, a registered Naturopathic physician must have at least 7 years of postsecondary education and training. This includes completion of 3 or more years of pre-medical sciences at a University followed by completion of 4 years post-graduate training at an accredited Naturopathic medical school. Every licensed and registered Naturopathic Doctor completes multi-step North American Board and licensing exams and holds good standing by maintaining continuing education credits.