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NATUROPATHIC
MEDICINE |
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Dr. Collins is a graduate of the |
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Founded in 1956, National College of Naturopathic
Medicine is the oldest accredited school of natural medicine in North
America. As such, the College has been at the center of the profession,
preserving and extending the legacy of naturopathic medicine. The profession
has experienced resurgence in the past two decades, as a health conscious
public has sought alternatives to conventional medicine. |
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Naturopathic Medicine is a
distinctive system of primary healthcare, which recognizes that an awareness of
the whole person is essential for the restoration and maintenance of health.
The science, art, philosophy and practice of diagnosing, treating and
preventing disease within the Naturopathic Medicine model consists of modern
(contemporary) as well as traditional (time-honored) methods. Naturopathic
Medicine includes both scientific and empirical (based on observation or
experience) methods. |
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The practice of Naturopathic
Medicine is based on six underlying principles of healing, which
distinguishes this healthcare system from other medical approaches. |
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THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE - "vis medicatrix naturae" |
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The nature of each individual is
such that there is an inherent ability to heal and be restored to optimal
health as well maintains this health and ward off disease. The healing
process is ordered and intelligent. The physician's role is to teach the
patient how to identify and remove agents blocking the healing process, how
to support the creation of a healthy internal and external environment, and
how to enhance the healing capacity. |
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IDENTIFY AND TREAT THE CAUSE - "tolle causum" |
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Illness does not occur without
cause. These causes may originate on many levels, but are often found in an individual's
lifestyle, diet, habits, or emotional state. If the symptoms are treated
without addressing the underlying causes, the patient may develop a more
serious, chronic condition. Symptoms are an expression of the individual's
attempt to heal. Symptoms are not the cause of illness. Treatment should not
be aimed at simply suppressing symptoms. |
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FIRST DO NO HARM - "primum no nocere" |
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By realizing that the inherent
nature of the individual to achieve and maintain health, the physician and patient
must both be ever watchful of the potential consequences or side effects of
any treatment. Since the primary goal is to treat the cause, the suppression
of symptoms is avoided whenever possible. Supportive, gentle and non-invasive
therapies are less disruptive to the patient and are preferred over
directive, strong and invasive therapies. |
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THE PHYSICIAN AS TEACHER - "docere" |
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The word "doctor" is derived from the
word "docere", which means
"teacher". A physician is a facilitator for a patient's healing
process. One of a physician's principal responsibilities is to educate the
patient and restore confidence for taking on full personal responsibility for
health. A cooperative doctor-patient relationship has inherent therapeutic
value. It is the patient, not the doctor, who ultimately creates healing. |
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TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON - "tolle in toto" |
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Health or disease are a
consequence of the dynamic interactions between biochemical, physical,
mental, emotional, genetic, spiritual, environmental, social, and other
factors. The balanced functioning of all aspects of an individual is
fundamental to optimal health. An imbalance in any aspect of the whole may
cause disease, which may be manifested in other parts of that whole. There is
never a single cause for disease. Keeping in mind the inherent ability of the
body to heal, all "pieces of the whole" must be re-integrated in
order to restore health. |
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PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE - "antevertere optimus medicus" |
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Health is a direct reflection of how we choose to
live. Physicians help patients recognize their choices and how those choices
affect their health. The physician assesses risk factors and hereditary
susceptibility to disease and recommends appropriate choices to enhance
vitality and health and therefore prevent the onset of disease. Prevention
emphasizes the building health rather than the fighting of disease. |
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For more information on Naturopathic Medicine
please visit the National College of Naturopathic
Medicine website. |
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YourMenopauseType.com, Inc. |
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