Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine is an innovative system of health care that strives to restore and maintain optimal health by combining modern medical knowledge with traditional healing wisdom. The roots of naturopathic medicine are planted deep in the philosophies of the great ancient healers. A Naturopathic physician removes obstacles to cure, gives the body what it needs, and stimulates the body to heal. There are many tools a naturopathic physician has, whether it be homeopathy, acupuncture, physical medicine, hydrotherapy, detoxification, botanicals, or nutrients; your naturopath will figure out what is best for your body, and will work with you to create optimal health for yourself. A naturopathic physician will take the time to listen to all your concerns and figure out what is really going on inside of your body. We aim to treat the cause of disease, rather than just masking symptoms.

What separates Naturopathic Medicine from conventional, allopathic medicine are not necessarily the tools we use, but how we use them, in accordance with our philosophy and paradigm. We practice the art of healing, not the protocol of suppression. Naturopathic Medicine is founded on the principle of Vis Medicatrix Naturae or “The Healing Power of Nature.” Every human body has the innate ability to heal itself. Our job as a Naturopathic physician is simply to figure out what it is that is inhibiting the body from healing, remove it, nourish the body with what it needs, and stimulate the Vis (or the body’s own innate ability to heal). It is a partnership between doctor and patient, in which we honor the patient, and meet them where they are at. We help to guide them on their journey to greater health and well-being. Sometimes along that path, miracles happen. People who were told they would never be “well” become well and people who have given up hope, find it once again. At Fountainhead clinic, we have found homeopathy to be the most effective and powerful of all the therapies we have in our “tool box”, which is why we specialize in the use of this therapy to treat mental and emotional conditions.

Naturopathic Medicine, at its fundamental base, utilizes six therapeutic agents for healing; pure water, pure food, pure air, exercise, sunlight, and a healthy spiritual life. Unfortunately, these things are sometimes hard to come by in today’s society. This presents a challenge to both patients and us as doctors, which then makes us rely more heavily on our tools; homeopathy, botanicals, nutrition, supplements, physical medicine, etc. etc. If not used properly, even these "natural" therapies can end up being suppressive. When we apply these tools using the PRINCIPLES OF NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE, great healing can occur. One can even use drugs and surgery on occasion and still practice naturopathy, as long as the application is aligned with naturopathic principles. Which brings us to the principles of Naturopathic Medicine…

Primum non nocere:

First, Do No Harm; We want to find the least invasive, most effective, and most permanent cure for the individual.

Vis Medicatrix Naturae:

The Healing Power of Nature; As stated above, this is trusting in nature and our bodies natural ability to heal itself. Therapies which are very effective for stimulating the Vis are homeopathy, hydrotherapy, and acupuncture.

Tolle Causam:

Discover and Treat the Cause of Disease (not just the effects of)

Tolle Totum:

Treat the WHOLE Person; We look at all the organ systems of the body, the mind, and the spirit to see how they are all connected. If one is out of harmony, it will surely affect the system as a whole.

Docere:

Doctor as Teacher; taking the time to educate patients about their health and what they can do in their daily lives to improve it is an important part of Naturopathic Medicine.

Prevention is the best “cure”