What is Naturopathic Medicine?
By Helene Pulnik | Published on August 12, 2010 | 0 Comments
Dr. Helene Pulnik ND, LAc., is a naturopathic physician with more than 25 years of experience. She runs Glastonbury Naturopathic Center and Wholistic Spa in Glastonbury, CT, which treats specific health conditions and also offers a complete wellness program. Here, she discusses the five principles behind naturopathic medicine, which she believes is invaluable for its ability to effectively treat underlying causes of pain or disease.
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct healthcare profession that has roots going back all the way through known medical history, using the healing wisdom of many different cultures. It is based on the belief that the human body has the ability to heal itself. It’s what we call the vital force. Every living thing has a vital force, including the human body.
Naturopathic medicine is based on six principles. They are:
- Using the healing power of nature. In other words, let nature heal the body. The way that naturopathic doctors allow the body to heal itself is to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery. At the same time, they facilitate and augment the inherent self-healing process.
- Identifying and treating the causes of illness. Naturopathic physicians understand that symptoms will return unless the root cause is addressed. So rather than cover up or suppress the symptoms, naturopathic doctors using naturopathic medicine look for the cause, and then treat the cause of the symptoms.
- Doing no harm. Naturopathic physicians follow three precepts to avoid harming the patient and ensure his or her safety. The first is that naturopathic doctors use methods and medical substances that minimize the risk of harmful side effects. These include dietary supplements, herbal extracts and homeopathy. The second is that they avoid suppressing the symptoms when possible. The third is that they acknowledge, accept, and work with the individual’s self-healing process.
- Using the principle of “doctor as teacher.” We educate our patients about health and preventive medicine as part of their healing process. We teach them how to eat, how to exercise, how to reduce their stress loads, and how to nurture themselves physically and emotionally.
- Employing the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship. The naturopathic doctor educates patients and encourages people to be responsible for their health. Self-responsibility for health is the ultimate goal.
- Treating the whole person, instead of just treating a symptom or body part. Naturopathic doctors do this by taking into account each individual’s physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, energetic, environmental and social factors. We look at everything.
At Glastonbury Naturopathic Center, you will find licensed and certified healthcare professionals. Many patients come to us searching for other options to improve their overall health and well-being, sometimes after finding conventional medicine unable to offer satisfactory results. Just like conventional physicians, we employ a variety of methods, all tailored expressly to meet the needs of individual clients.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.