Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Marc S. Micozzi

Author:Marc S. Micozzi [Micozzi, Marc S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 978-1-4377-0577-5
Publisher: Elsevier Health Sciences
Published: 2011-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Respect Nature

We are natural organisms, with our genomes developed and expressed in the natural world. The patterns and processes inherent in nature are inherent in us. We exist as a part of complex patterns of matter, energy, and spirit. Nature doctors have observed the natural processes of these patterns in health and disease and have determined that there is an inherent drive toward health that lives within the patterns and processes of nature.

The drive is not perfect. At times, when unguided, unassisted, or unstopped, the drive goes astray, causing preventable harm or even death; the healing intention becomes pathology. The ND is trained to know, respect, and work with this drive and to know when to wait and do nothing, act preventively, assist, amplify, palliate, intervene, manipulate, control, or even suppress, using the principle of the least force. The challenge of twenty-first-century medicine is to support the beneficial effects of this drive and come to a sophisticated application of the least-force principle in mainstream health care. This will prevent the last 20 years of life from being those of debility from chronic, degenerative disease for the average American and extend the health span throughout the life span.

Because the total organism is involved in the healing attempt, the most effective approach to care must consider the whole person. In addition to physical and laboratory findings, important consideration is given to the patient’s mental, emotional, and spiritual attitude; lifestyle; diet; heredity; environment; and family and community life. Careful attention to each person’s unique individuality and susceptibility to disease is critical to the proper evaluation and treatment of any health problem.

Naturopathic physicians believe that most disease is the direct result of the ignorance and violation of “natural living laws.” These rules are summarized as consuming natural, unrefined, organically grown foods; ensuring adequate amounts of exercise and rest; living a moderately paced lifestyle; having constructive and creative thoughts and emotions; avoiding environmental toxins; and maintaining proper elimination. During illness, it is also important to control these areas to remove as many unnecessary stresses as possible and to optimize the chances that the organism’s healing attempt will be successful. Therefore, fundamental to naturopathic practice is patient education and responsibility, lifestyle modification, preventive medicine, and wellness promotion.

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