Welcome to the way of well-being:

thoughts on the journey to health

the first in a series on what it means to heal on a holistic level

Since beginning Naturopathic medical school in 1998, I've been immersed in the world of medicine- conventional as well alternative, holistic, complementary-are all a part of the Naturopathic Medical model. What this means to me, and how I practice is an expression of my whole Self. So , I want to share with you, first all, what Naturopathic medicine means to me and how I practice.

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Naturopathic Medicine is Traditional Western Medicine

First, Id like to define, to describe, how I understand Naturopathic medicine. Many people have never heard of this type of medicine, for many reasons, it seems mysterious. One reason is that every practitioner practices a little differently, another is that every state has different laws surrounding practice. The core philosophy is what determines the practice.

The key ideas which the practice can take shape in are:

First do no harm

The person embodies the innate healing power of nature

Treat the whole person

Find the root cause of imbalance

The doctor is a teacher

Prevention is the best cure

With this in mind, licensed Naturopathic doctors are trained in holistic therapies which honor comply with these tenants. This includes traditional ways of assessing the health and wellness of the person, as well as, the more recent scientific models of the body and medicine. Often when we think of "Western" medicine we think of conventional medicine, and there is a strong tradition of medicine of the Western world that long predates this type of medicine based on scientific research. Naturopathic medicine strives to integrate these.

We live in the body

Our physical body, is just a part of who we are. Id like to think about our body as our home, not who we are. And who we are is what needs to be remembered and nurtured, a living force that enlivens our body and is more than the body.

In the next few articles, I will expand on this idea and the concept of Tolle Totem (Treat the Whole). What is the "whole" person composed of. what needs to be treated and considered in the restoration and maintenance of health.

Stay tuned for more in this series on what it means to heal wholly.