Treat the Whole Person Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual path. Prevention Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive. Wellness Wellness follows the establishment and maintenance of optimum health and balance.
Wellness is a state of being healthy, characterized by positive emotion, thought and action.
If wellness is really recognized and experienced by an individual, it will more quickly heal a given dis-ease than direct treatment of the disease alone. This unifying theory provides a rational and clinical framework for integrating the broad range of natural, complementary, alternative and conventional approaches to fit the individual patient's needs. Scope of Practice Naturopathic medicine is defined by principles rather than by methods or modalities. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods are -diverse and will continue to evolve as knowledge of health and disease evolves. The current scope of practice for a Naturopathic physician covers the general practice of naturopathic medicine, as a primary care physician.