Ideology
Naturopathy focuses on naturally occurring substances, minimally invasive methods, and encouragement of natural healing. Naturopaths generally favor an intuitive and vitalistic conception of the body, and complete rejection of biomedicine and modern science is common. Prevention through stress reduction and a healthy diet and lifestyle is emphasized, and pharmaceutical drugs, ionizing radiation, and surgery are generally minimized. The tenet of naturopathic practice is self-described by six core values. Multiple versions exist in the form of the naturopathic doctor's oath, various mission statements published by schools or professional associations, and ethical conduct guidelines published by regulatory bodies:
- First, do no harm; provide the most effective health care available with the least risk to patients at all times (primum non nocere).
- Recognize, respect and promote the self-healing power of nature inherent in each individual human being. (Vis medicatrix naturae, a form of vitalism).
- Identify and remove the causes of illness, rather than eliminate or suppress symptoms (Tolle Causam).
- Educate, inspire rational hope and encourage self-responsibility for health (Doctor as Teacher).
- Treat each person by considering all individual health factors and influences. (Treat the Whole Person).
- Emphasize the condition of health to promote well-being and to prevent diseases for the individual, each community and our world. (Health Promotion, the Best Prevention)
Read more about this topic: Naturopathic Medicine
Famous quotes containing the word ideology:
“The ideology of this America wants to establish reassurance through Imitation. But profit defeats ideology, because the consumers want to be thrilled not only by the guarantee of the Good but also by the shudder of the Bad.”
—Umberto Eco (b. 1932)
“Liberation is an evershifting horizon, a total ideology that can never fulfill its promises.... It has the therapeutic quality of providing emotionally charged rituals of solidarity in hatred—it is the amphetamine of its believers.”
—Arianna Stassinopoulos (b. 1950)
“Commerce is greedy. Ideology is bloodthirsty.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)