Naturopathic Medicine exists to strengthen and encourage optimal health. It is a practice that addresses the fundamentals of disease. It honours and cooperates with the healing power of nature.
If you seek a caring professional who is a registered naturopathic doctor in Guelph with a functional medicine approach, you’ve come to the right place.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
1. Primum non nocere – do no harm, effective health care with the least risk for all patients
2. Vis medicatrix naturae – healing power of nature, respect and promote self-healing
3. Tolle causum – treat the cause, identify and remove causes, avoid suppression of symptoms
4. Docere – doctor as teacher, educate patients, inspire rational hope, encourage self-responsibility
5. Treat the whole person – each person is unique with their own factors effecting their health
6. Health promotion is the best prevention – well-being includes health individually, in the
community and globally
Obstacles
When obstacles get in the way of the good health, we need to figure out what these are and find ways to remove them. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Naturopathic medicine uses evidence based science and traditionally proven ways to support a journey in health.
Root cause
It is important to take a step back and look at life and how it is lived. This helps get to the root cause of why you might not be feeling your best. The lens draws back to get a whole health perspective, then zooms in to understand how the body has attempted to compensate given the less than favourable circumstances. It can take time to unravel the delicate interconnected details, but it is well worth it and provides the foundation for long lasting health.
Delicate Interconnections
Genetic factors contribute. We are not our genes, however failure to provide the basic necessities may trigger weak links in genes and the body can no longer compensate. Again, get the basics in place, remove the obstacles to proper gene function and symptoms often calm. Understand a genetic profile and there is insight into the potential weak links. This first provides opportunity in preventative health and secondly gives reason to choose appropriate therapies to reduce severity of symptoms. . Lifestyle and nutraceuticals can help clear and re-set affected genes.
Nervous system balance provides ability to feel safe, focus with clarity, move with ease and socially interact with others. Physical therapies that move lymph and release facial tissue constrictions are critical for a balanced nervous system. HeartMath’s heart rate variability measurement is a good instrument to evaluate the balance of the nervous system. So is a good old clinical neurological assessment. The De-stress program is helpful to regulate emotions and retrain the nervous system. It is useful for common anxiety and depression as well as attention deficit disorders. Acupuncture, lymphatic drainage and massage, cupping, ohm therapy also provide means to remove obstacles and restore harmony.
Hormone balance can impact mood, fertility, sexual identity, digestion, skin, and body composition. Quality, timing and quantity of food and sleep make a big difference to hormone regulation. Once the basics are in place, deeper insight from dried urine and blood analysis help get to the root cause of the symptoms. Plant medicines and concentrated nutrients are wisely combined to lead the way into hormone balance.
Neurotransmitter levels interplay with hormones and genetic factors. The brain, the heart and the gastrointestinal tract all secrete neurotransmitters. Genes contribute to production and clearance of neurotransmitters. Take-home collection kits for the collection of saliva and urine are available. The samples are couriered to the lab and results then taken into consideration with current experiences. Natural support is available to re-balance neurotransmitter levels.
Immune power is tightly linked to gut health. At least 70% of your immune system is in your gut. When your gut lining is compromised (leaky gut), particles that should stay in your gut get loose in the blood stream and trigger immune response. Gut work is often a part of healing the rest of your body. Your immune can drive your behaviour and moods too, so the health of one will affect the other.
Spiritual connection. You are more than the sum of your working parts. The spark of life and mystery in each one of us should leave us in awe of our creator. When we create something we honour and reflect and connect with our creator. Our health and well-being essentially requires ways to express our creativity. This can be found in any way we choose to outwardly share ourselves and our gifts to others.
Your physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual health are critically important to your health success.
