The principles of Naturopathy
and integrative medicine
Naturopathic practice is directed by 6 principles:
- Support the healing power of nature
- Identify and treat the cause
- Treat holistically
- Prevention strategies
- Doctor as teacher
- Do no harm
Naturopathic practice also follows the therapeutic order as described in The Hierarchy of Healing (Zeff, Snider, Myers), which provides a guide of the intensity of intervention required for any particular person.
These interventions include “low force” practices like removing the obstacles to health, stimulating the body’s innate healing ability and tonifying weakened systems. As more “force” is required, we look to correcting structural integrity and prescribing natural supplements.
The top two tiers of stronger interventions, involve prescribing synthetic pharmacy, and surgery, which are outside the scope of Australian Naturopathic practice. When these levels of interventions are required, the Naturopathic role is to support the repair and minimise the harm. This way of practice is also referred to as integrative medicine.