The Naturopath always seeks to:
- Do no harm.
- Employ methods which work with the body’s healing power and self-correcting mechanisms and avoid treatments which may work against these mechanisms and which suppress acute diseases.
- Deal with underlying causes of dysfunction where possible.
- Reduce the burden of load. It may not always be possible to identify the underlying causes of the problem, but often a number of contributory factors can be identified. It is preferable to reduce the overall burden on the body using established naturopathic means.
- Sometimes it may be necessary to use short term measures which assist in the removal of symptoms for the comfort or safety of the individual, however it is important to also employ long-term health restoration measures.
- Attempt to address all aspects of the Naturopathic Triad of Health.
- Employ simple treatments before more complex, where possible.
- Support patients’ efforts in gaining and maintaining control of their own health.
Because Naturopathy is above all an approach to health care, there are many treatment modalities which can be employed. However, they are always applied in a way which works with the body’s own healing efforts and are used in accordance with the principles of treatment previously specified. Treatments may primarily be concerned with the biochemical, structural or mental/emotional depending upon the nature of the problem.
The core naturopathic modalities are:
- Clinical dietetics and applied nutrition.
- Detoxification techniques.
- Physical Therapy. Examples include osteopathy/chiropractic (by an appropriately registered practitioner), naturopathic physical manipulation, manual lymphatic drainage, massage and other soft tissue techniques e.g. neuromuscular technique.
- Psychotherapeutic techniques.
- Offering advice regarding a healthy lifestyle.
- Many other therapies may be employed as part of naturopathic practice (where the practitioner has gained a suitable additional qualification), such as Medical Herbalism.