Philosophical Roots of Naturopathic Medicine


“The highest ideal of cure is rapid, gentle and permanent restoration of the health, …in the shortest, most reliable, and most harmless way, on easily comprehensible principles.”               s2, Organon of Medicine, Hahnemann, 5th ed.

 

Where do ND’s start when looking at a patient’s case?

By asking, “what factors influence your health?” Then the ND works to re-establish the basis for health by removing lifestyle factors that are obstacles to health.

 

What Determines Health?

To understand what disrupts health, one must first understand what determines health.

  1. Non-modifiable Determinants of Health: genetics, maternal exposures (such as drugs, toxins, viruses), maternal nutrition and lifestyle
  2. Lifestyle Determinants of Health: environment, lifestyle, emotions, self-love
  3. Environmental Determinants of Health: air and water quality, lots of light, toxins, occupation, surroundings
  4. Diet Determinants of Health: elimination, nutrition, digestion, hydration, supplements, alcohol
  5. Physical Determinants of Health: exercise, adequate rest, mobility, strength
  6. Socio-Economic Determinants of Health: culture, love, friendship, community, satisfying employment
  7. Stress-Related Determinants of Health: stress (both physical and emotional)
  8. llness-Related Determinants of Health: pathogens, surgeries, suppression, trauma, injury, addictions

 

Naturopathic Philosophy of Health

1. Health is the constant and natural state of being.

  • Over millions of years of evolution, organisms have selected for traits that allowed them to survive in the conditions found on this planet.   When we live in harmony with those conditions then we are healthy.

2. Ill health is an adaptive response to disturbances in the organism.

  • Signs and symptoms of an illness are indicative of the processes of the body that are compensating for underlying imbalances that are causing the illness.

3. Correcting those imbalances in the Determinants of Health will create the basis for a return to normal health.

4. Intervention should involve the least force necessary to stimulate the body’s self-healing mechanisms.

 

Health and Disease as Process

Naturopathic Process of Healing

The upper part of the diagram represents the constant process of physiological and biochemical compensation for variations in the Determinants of Health, such as changes in diet, hydration, sleep, psychological states, etc., attempting to regain balance or “homeostasis”.  This is the “adaptive response”.

The “discharges” are the regular elimination of wastes and byproducts of these metabolic processes as well as discharges due to disturbed function.

Health is not a static state. It is a dynamic, ever changing balancing act. If the underlying imbalances are not corrected, the compensatory reactions will become chronic and lead to degeneration.

 

Application of Naturopathic Philosophy in Treatment

How does all of this philosophy apply to how naturopathic doctors practice? We have principles and a therapeutic order to guide us in developing personalized and effective treatment plans.

 

Naturopathic Principles

  1. First do no harm
  2. The healing power of nature
  3. Identify and treat the cause
  4. Treat the whole person
  5. Doctor as teacher
  6. Prevention

 

Therapeutic Order

This is not a hierarchical, rigid guide, but rather a foundation for how to treat our patients. They do flow from lowest force interventions to higher force interventions.  We strive to match the severity of the health condition with the force of the treatment. Any or all steps may be used simultaneously.

  1. Remove obstacles to cure and reestablish conditions for health.
  2. Stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal
  3. Support and tonify weakened body systems
  4. Correct structural integrity
  5. Prescribe natural supplements
  6. Prescribe synthetic pharmaceuticals
  7. High Force Interventions (surgery, suppressive drugs, radiation, chemotherapy)

 

Does that sound like a type of medicine you’d be interested in? Visit naturopathic.org to find an ND near you!

 

 

This article summarizes the philosophical roots which guide naturopathic doctors in developing their treatment plans for their patients.  ND’s spend time with their patients so they can focus on helping their patients establish conditions for their health and promote wellness.

 

 

 References
  1. Zeff, J.L. (1997). The process of healing: A unifying theory of naturopathic medicine.  Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, 7(1) , 122-5. (Submitted to JNM 1993). From Zeff lectures NM Practice and Theory. NCNM, Portland, OR. 1988-1996
  1. Zeff, J.L., & Snider, P. (1997-2013). The Hierarchy of Healing: The Therapeutic Order – Lectures in Naturopathic Practice and Clinical Theory (Year 1). Bastyr University, Seattle.1997:- Snider proposed Levels 5-7 to Hierarchy of Therapeutics (Levels 1-4), changed Hierarchy of Therapeutics to Therapeutic Order, expanded Determinants of Health, expanded systems Pizzorno’s ‘Total Wellness systems]; Zeff supported changes.
  1. Snider, P.; Zeff, J. Integration Project AANMC- 1998-2003: faculty and deans review and engage; Therapeutic Order revisions developed, including respecting patient individuality, multiple variations and versions are produced. In 2001 the American Association of Naturopathic Medicine Dean’s Council adopted national core competencies in naturopathic philosophy, including the Therapeutic Order following the AANMC Integration Project Faculty Retreat.
  1. Zeff, J.L., Snider, P., & Myers, S (with De Grandpre, Z. in 2013 ed.). 2005, 2008, 2013. A Hierarchy of Healing: The Therapeutic Order. A Unifying Theory of Naturopathic Medicine. In J.E. Pizzorno & M. Murray. Textbook of Natural Medicine. Seattle: Bastyr College Publications.
  1. Pizzorno, J.E., & Snider, P. Naturopathic Medicine. In M.S. Micozzi, Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (pp.292-321). Philadelphia: Churchill Livingston. (Ed. 2001, 2006, 2010, 2014 – in press) 
  1. Edwards, L., Lee-Engel C., Lichtenstein B., Broderick K,. Snider, P., Zeff, J. Adaptations to Naturopathic Medicine Determinants of Health Model. NM Theory and Practice Course Syllabi. 2006-2013. National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, Ill. Bastyr University Kenmore, WA.
  1. Edwards, L. NM Practice and Theory. Lectures NUHS Lombard, IL.., Bastyr University Kenmore, WA. (Date from x-x). Adaptation to NM Model “Compensatory Responses- (homeodynamic compensation, may generate signs & symptoms.); Adaptations to Therapeutic Order.
  1. Lindlahr, H. The Philosophy of the Unity of Disease and Cure through Nature Cure. 1914.
  1. Snider, P., & Zeff, J.L. (1989). Definition of Naturopathic Medicine. American Association of Naturopathic Medicine Position Paper.  Select Committee on the Definition of Naturopathic Medicine.  AANP House of Delegates, Rippling River, Oregon. naturopathic.org.
  1. Edwards, L. Naturopathic Practice and Theory Lectures. Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA. National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, Ill. (Date from x to x)

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