Teaching Patients

• A major difference in naturopathic practices is that the patient is as responsible for his health as the physician. The patient is taught about the body's ailment and what treatment is needed. This is done so the patient can be at ease and the physician can be assured the patient will receive proper around the clock treatment at home. A patient of naturopathic medicine must follow the procedures as directed by the physician to see results.
  
  

Focus on Prevention

• The physician's primary goal in teaching is prevention. Headaches for instance have many causes from stress to poor nutrition. The physician will assess the patient's everyday habits and stressors and teach him to prevent headaches by altering habits that lead to the causes. When using a naturopathic remedy it is important to understand its properties and find out how it can help prevent your ailment.
  
  

No Interference

• Perhaps the most difficult to accept concept about naturopathic remedies is that they do not interfere with the symptoms of an ailment. The philosophy of this practice supports the healing process and therefore the symptoms. Suppressing the symptoms without eliminating the cause of illness violates the body's healing process. Over-the-counter painkillers are deemed counter-intuitive to the goal of naturopathic treatment.