Most people truly want to be healthy, but only have vague ideas of what to do to achieve health. Many books, tapes, videos and other media are available to people interested in improving their health and well-being. However, this is where the confusion begins. Many articles are informative but they do not tell the whole story.
Quite often they are vague at best. They are often conflicting and do not have long-term research to back their claims. This often leads to a bad experience with “natural” or “alternative” methods, leaving the consumer frustrated and unwilling to try other methods. This also gives leverage to the powers that would like to keep conventional medicine as the mainstay, hoping CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) will be a passing fad.
As a result, these people are proud of the fact that they are taking antacids to get calcium, taking aspirin to avoid heart attacks, and switching from butter to margarine to lower their cholesterol. All of these unhealthy practices contribute to illness. To be healthy, you must do healthy things. The problem is that people do not know or are not sure about what these healthy things are.
WHAT IS A DOCTOR OF NATURAL MEDICINE?
Doctors of Natural Medicine (DNMs) are clinically trained in the art and science of natural medicine. Natural medicine is steeped in philosophy derived from 2000 year old Hippocratic teaching — the Vis mediatrix naturae — nature is the healer of all diseases. Doctors of Natural Medicine are experts in natural medicine.
Although natural medicine training encompasses the same basic bio-medical science that conventional medical practice embraces, the approach to health and disease differs considerably. DNMs are well prepared in their training to serve patients of all ages — from infancy through maturity. DNMs use history and health assessment to assess and monitor progress. They refer to medical specialists when appropriate. In addition to assessing and monitoring medical conditions with scientific lab testing, DNMs are also skilled in observing and working with the body to correct imbalance. The goal is to eliminate the obstacles to healing and to provide the tools for patients to take responsibility for their health. This approach offers patients the opportunity to learn about and incorporate healthy lifestyles and thereby maintain resiliency and wellness for life.
The type of care plan chosen is based on the individual needs of the patient. This approach has proven successful in the management of both acute and chronic conditions. Care relies on the use of clinically successful, time tested, and often-researched natural methods. Such methods or modalities include botanical medicine, counseling, homeopathy, flower essences, hydrotherapy, physical manipulation, biotherapeutic drainage, and others. DNM’s strive to assist their patients in attaining and maintaining optimal health throughout the transitions that life brings.
The Principles of Natural Medicine
Doctors of Natural Medicine incorporate the following principles in their own lives, and with every patient they encounter, thus promoting responsible and healthy living for the individual and for society as a whole.
- First Do No Harm
Methods and procedures that acknowledge, respect and work with the individual’s self-healing process are encouraged. Suppressive methods are avoided.
- The Healing Power of Nature
Doctors of Natural Medicine recognize the self-healing process in every person. They utilize methods, procedures and lifestyle changes that facilitate the natural healing process.
- Identify and treat the cause
Doctors of Natural Medicine seek to find and address the root cause of illness.
- Treat the Whole Person
Each patient is an individual that may manifest disease and imbalance differently. Mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, genetic, environmental and social issues are addressed. DNMs know their patients because they spend time with them.
- Prevention
Prevention is emphasized through assessing risk factors, disposition, heredity and susceptibility to disease. Appropriate interventions and lifestyle modifications are suggested to promote health and prevent chronic and debilitating health conditions.
- Doctor as Teacher
Doctors of Natural Medicine educate their patients. Disease processes are explained as are healthy lifestyles and habits that promote wellness. Patients are encouraged to take responsibility for walking their own path to wellness.