As ND’s these are the guides (guiding principles) we follow with every patient:

 
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Nature) = The body works naturally in it’s ability to heal
We experience symptoms when the body is attempting to defend or heal itself.  The pain from an injury, or the bleeding, the redness, the swelling and warmth – these are nature’s way to heal.  This means that when we hear patients describe a symptom, we are looking for what is out of balance or what the body is “trying” to heal but not able to achieve on its own.

Treat the Whole Person
We are not an organ (such as our knee, or our stomach or our heart, etc.) we are a complex collection of systems.  We have physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors that affect or determine our health. It is very rare to see any chronic condition in one of the body systems without affecting another system.  So when working with patients we consider is every aspect or influence into account.

First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere).                                                                                                                                              – We use methods and substances that cause little to no risk of harmful side effects.
– When possible, AVOID the harmful suppression of symptoms.  We don’t just want to deal with a SYMPTOM.  See next principle.
– Acknowledge and respect the individual’s healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat.

Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
Illnesses cannot occur without a cause, and symptoms (whether headache, asthma, fever, nausea, vomiting, rash, diarrhea, etc.) are not the cause of the illness, but rather a witness or a sign. Symptoms are an expression of the body attempting to defend or heal itself. Although the cause of a disease can be due to different causes or accidental.  Therefore as ND’s we seek to identify and remove the causes of illness, rather than eliminate or suppress symptoms. When the symptoms are treated without treating the underlying causes, patients often develop more serious or chronic conditions.

Prevention
As we have come to learn and understand, disease is not just the result of genetics.  There are many environmental and lifestyle factors that can cause it.  Most often health is a reflection of how we choose to live. Patients cannot achieve optimum health when they are eating the wrong foods, not getting enough water, exercise, sleep, etc., and it is the responsibility of the doctor to make the patient aware of the factors that influence their health. It then becomes the patient’s responsibility to put in practice those factors which will enable them to establish and maintain optimum health and well being.

Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
“Docere” is a latin word meaning to teach or instruct. Naturopathic physicians educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.