The Lilac Naturopathic Clinic
Progressive Health Care Through Traditional Medicine
About Naturopathic Medicine:
Naturopathic Medicine is a system of health care that incorporates principles of conventional medicine including diagnosis, assessment and testing combined with the use of traditional and natural medicines. There are several key philosophical beliefs that distinguish Naturopathic Doctors as primary health care providers: the belief in the use of traditional medicines, based on the wisdom and experience passed down from generation to generation such as with Chinese medicine and botanical medicine; the belief in conventional wisdom, based on current medical discovery, medical knowledge and practical experience; and the belief that each individual has a vital force that is an intelligent natural healing force found within every human. It is an approach to health and healing that recognizes the integrity of the whole person, and supports the inherent healing capacity of the person. Naturopathic Medicine is not just the use of natural therapies; it is the art and science of individualized health care, going beyond superficial symptoms, and getting to the root cause of illness and disease.
Naturopathic Doctors are highly trained primary care physicians that are capable of addressing the needs of individualized care for the 21st century. Each Doctor has extensive training in medical sciences and patient care combined with the knowledge and practical experiences of naturopathic treatments. Each doctor abides by the principles of Naturopathic Medicine and takes an oath based on the following declaration:
- First do no harm (Primum non nocere); to provide the most effective health care available with the least risk.
- Recognize, respect and promote the self-healing power of nature inherent in each individual. To co-operate with the healing powers of nature (Vis medicatrix naturae).
- Strive to identify and remove the causes of illness, rather than to eliminate or suppress symptoms. To address the fundamental causes of disease (Tolle causam).
- Treat each person by considering all individual health factors and influences. To heal the whole person through individualized treatment.
- Educate, inspire rational hope, and encourage self-responsibility for health. To teach the principles of healthy living and preventive medicine.
- Emphasize the condition of health to promote well-being and to prevent diseases for the individual, community and our world.
There are several modalities available to treat your health concerns. The modalities available at The Lilac Naturopathic Clinic includes:
Nutrition is a basic need of all healthy human lives, eating good foods promotes a healthy and vital body. A poor diet can impact health in a negative way both immediately as well as in the future. In fact, the root of numerous chronic diseases stems from dietary choices impacting the various systems in the body. A major component of nutrition is dietary choices, quantities and food preparation, all of which can either promote health or used to prevent illness.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine developed by the German physician Samuel Hahneman M.D. Homeopathic medicines are prepared from plant, animal and mineral substances in diluted amounts by a process of activation and enervation. These substances are applied based on the principle of like cures like, where a substance that causes specific symptoms in healthy individuals can be used to treat illness that presents in a similar way.
Hydrotherapy is the long tradition of using water to assist in the healing power of the body. Through the application of water, the body is allowed to remove toxins, promote circulation and encourage healing by stimulation of the immune and lymphatic systems. There are numerous types of hydrotherapy treatments, such as sitz baths, contrast showers, sauna and constitutional treatments in addition to numerous others.
Massage is well known as the therapeutic application of force through direct contact to the various tissues of the body to promote a beneficial response. Massage may be used as a form of relaxation to reduce tension in muscles or to promote healing of injured tissues. Massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to aid the process of injury healing, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, and improve circulation.
Asian medicine is a philosophy of treatment dating back thousands of years. Its underlying views are based on balance, particularly of fluids and energy or Qi within the body. Treatments aim to harmonize imbalances, which progress into or exist in disease, using acupuncture and herbal formulas. These treatments unify the body and mind, remove inhibitory factors and encourage healing. Asian medicine also incorporates diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices in a balanced way.
Nutritional supplementation is based on the science of dietary substances being used to prevent and treat disease. Supplements are available in numerous forms such as vitamins, minerals, and other vital nutrients. Many illnesses can be effectively treated using supplements with fewer side-effects or complications than pharmaceuticals. Through scientific evaluation and discovery, more and more research supports the benefit of supplements in human health.
Botanical Medicine uses plant-derived substances which act in a synergistic and powerful way within our bodies to treat disease. Many drugs are chemically-derived single constituents from plants, where as botanical medicines use the complete range of constituents extracted into the medicine. This preparation style receives the full benefit of all the plant components and makes them compatible with our chemistry in a gentle manner with few toxic side effects.