The BioMedica office will be closed for Easter from Thursday 17th April 5.00pm to Tuesday 22nd April 8.30am. Please check this page for further information on orders and deliveries.
The BioMedica office will be closed for Easter from Thursday 17th April 5.00pm to Tuesday 22nd April 8.30am. Please check this page for further information on orders and deliveries.
As natural health practitioners, we take a patient-centred approach. We are guided by the patient in front of us and the understanding that each individual is unique. As such, naturopathic treatments are tailored to the individual and the unique factors contributing to their disease presentation.
The practice of naturopathic medicine is built upon seven guiding principles upon which practitioners base their care:
First do no harm (primum non nocere)
The Healing Power of Nature (vis medicatrix naturae)
Identify and treat the cause (tolle causum)
Treat the whole person.
Doctor as teacher (docere)
Disease prevention and health promotion.
Wellness
These principles are entwined whereby vis medicatrix naturae sees the practitioner supporting the patient to find the cause (tolle causum) of their disease picture. The practitioner must then do no harm (primum non nocere) by using safe, gentle, and non-invasive treatment methods as found in nature, and to encourage prevention and wellness by educating (docere) the patient on practices of good health for the mind, body and soul.1
Naturopathic medicine works towards “the restoration of health” as opposed to “identify and treat the disease”.2 We believe the human body has the innate ability to heal and maintain health and wellbeing when given the opportunity to do so. When a patient sits down in front of us we don’t necessarily see them as suffering a “disease”, rather we see a process of dis-ease or disturbance within the context of human nature.2 We support the patient to determine what might be disturbing their health. There are a multitude of factors that can disturb one’s health including poor diet, lack of exercise or sleep, stress, lack of connection, environmental pollutants and toxins, compromised digestion and elimination, just to name a few. As disturbances are identified and naturopathic support is provided to modify these, the patient will find that vital force is reignited and their health improves – just as nature intends.
Here at Biomedica, we hold these naturopathic principles close to our hearts and they guide all that we do. We support our practitioner’s work with their patients in this same way.
Stay tuned as we bring you a weekly series on the Naturopathic Principles and Philosophies.
Naturopathy stems from the interplay of 7 naturopathic principles which impact the therapeutic exchange – assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Principle 5, Doctor as Teacher, describes the role of holistic practitioners, in educating and guiding their patients in healthy lifestyle choices, taking ownership of their health. This determines long term health and leads to Principle 6, Disease Prevention.
The fourth principle, Treat the Whole Person, encompasses the concept that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Illness and disease impact the whole person, not just a specific organ or body system and as such, natural health practitioners take a individualised, “patient centred” approach. Read more to find out why treating the whole person can be key to achieving the desired health outcomes.
The third principle is Treat the Cause. Identifying and treating the cause is based on the assumption that health and disease happen for a reason, include factors such as genetics and physiology, diet, lifestyle, social-economic status, previous medical intervention or resilience. As such, health can be improved by addressing the factors placing strain on the body, interfering with its ability to heal.
The next naturopathic philosophy is the Healing Power of Nature, which refers to the body’s innate ability to heal itself. When illness or imbalance occurs the body naturally wants to correct this in order to be healthy and well. Naturopaths believe symptoms are a manifestation of the body’s attempt to rehabilitate and their role is to support and encourage this intrinsic healing process.
Naturopathy and natural medicine stems from the application and interplay of the seven naturopathic principles that we discussed last fortnight. These principles impact every aspect of the therapeutic exchange – assessment, diagnosis and treatment.
