Naturopathic doctors are the only primary care physicians trained in both natural and conventional approaches to prevent disease and manage or reverse chronic health conditions. By shifting the traditional disease-centered focus of medical practice to a more patient-centered approach, naturopathic physicians address the whole person rather than isolated symptoms. Naturopathic doctors spend time learning about your life, your body, and your concerns to address the numerous factors that can influence long-term health and chronic disease.

Naturopathic medicine is guided by six principles:

• The healing power of nature.  The body has an inherent ability to establish, maintain, and restore health.
• Identify and treat the cause.  Naturopathic doctors seek to identify and remove the underlying causes of an illness, rather than suppress presenting symptoms.
• First do no harm. Naturopathic doctors use the least invasive, non-toxic therapies to minimize the risk of harmful side effects.
• Doctor as teacher. A doctor’s most important role is to educate and encourage each patient to take responsibility for their health.
• Treat the whole person.  Naturopathic doctors treat the whole person by taking into consideration one’s physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, genetic, environmental, and social factors.
• Preventative medicine.  A Naturopathic doctor’s ultimate goal is to prevent disease; they are specifically trained to assess risk factors and hereditary susceptibilities and make the appropriate interventions.

Naturopathic treatments may include:

Clinical Nutrition
A cornerstone of naturopathic medicine, clinical nutrition refers to the practice of using food to maintain health, the therapeutic use of food to treat illness, and the utilization of targeted vitamin and nutrient therapy as part of the treatment plan.

Botanical (Herbal) Medicine 
Many plant substances are powerful medicines, effective and safe when used properly, in the right dose and in proper combinations with other herbs or pharmaceuticals. Many pharmaceutical drugs found their origin in herbal medicine before they were patented or altered by drug manufacturers.

Counseling and Stress Management
Mental attitudes and emotional states can be critical elements in healing illness. NDs are trained in counseling, biofeedback, life-style, and other mind-body techniques.

Diagnostic Labs & Imaging
Naturopathic physicians use conventional diagnostic tools when indicated, such as x-rays, electrocardiograms, ultrasound, CT, MRIs, as well as blood, urine and other laboratory tests.

Homeopathy
This system of medicine is based on the “law of similars” (like cures like) and uses highly diluted natural substances to stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal.
Pharmaceutical Medicines
Oregon NDs can prescribe any pharmaceutical needed for primary care. Naturopathic physicians are the only licensed health care providers with advanced training in drug-drug, drug-herb, and drug-nutrient interactions and/or complications.