Naturopathic medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing process in people that is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to healing and recovery, and to facilitate and augment the body’s inherent self-healing process.

The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness rather than to merely eliminate or suppress symptoms. The cause of illness may be in the physical body or it may be in the mind, emotions or spirit. Correctly identifying and treating the cause is central to recovery of health.

Naturopathic physicians follow three guidelines to avoid harming the patient: Utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects; Use the least force necessary to diagnose and treat; and Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.

Naturopathic physicians educate their patients and encourage self-responsibility for health. They understand knowledge is power towards self-healing. They recognize and employ the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship. Ultimately, they acknowledge, respect, and work with individuals’ self-healing processes.

Naturopathic physicians treat each patient by taking into account individual 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 development.

Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease by assessing risk factors, heredity, susceptibility to disease, and by making appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients to prevent illness. They support their patients to proactively stay healthy.