1. FIRST DO NO HARM – PRIMUM NON NOCERE

a) Naturopathic Medicine follows three guidelines to avoid harming the patient:

i) Utilize therapies and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects.

ii) Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms.

iii) Acknowledge and respect the individual’s healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.

2. IDENTIFY AND TREAT THE CAUSE – TOLLE CAUSAM

a) Naturopathic physicians seek to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to solely treat symptoms.

3. THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE – VIS MEDICATRIX NATURAE

a) Naturopathic Medicine recognizes an inherent self-healing ability in the body that is ordered and intelligent. Naturopathic physicians act to identify and remove obstacles to recovery and to facilitate and augment this healing ability.

4. TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON – TOLLE TOTEM

a) Naturopathic physicians encourage a healing path that takes into account each individual’s unique physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social attributes.

5. DOCTOR AS TEACHER – DOCERE

a) Naturopathic physicians educate patients so they can make informed choices about their health. They also encourage self-responsibility for health and acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.

6. PREVENTION- PRAEVENIC

a) Naturopathic physicians emphasize the prevention of disease, assessing risk factors and heredity, susceptibility to disease, and make appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic Medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive

1. DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

a) Assess the Determinants of Health and find the cause of the disturbance to the natural balance of the body.

2. IDENTIFY AND TREAT THE CAUSE – TOLLE CAUSAM

a) Naturopathic physicians seek to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than to solely treat symptoms.

2. STIMULATE THE HEALING POWER OF NATURE

a) Support the body’s natural healing mechanisms and give the body the rest, supportive nutrition and attention necessary for proper functioning.

3. TONIFY SYSTEMS

a) Support specifically the effected systems and facilitate normalization of their function. Give physical and biochemical support to the effected tissues and organ systems.

4. CORRECT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

a) Manipulate the tissue or bones to facilitate the needed compensation for health to return.

5. NATURAL SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT

a) While attempting further assessment or treatment of the causative factors palliate symptoms at hand while being cautious not to undermine the vis.

6. SYNTHETIC SYMPTOMATIC TREATMENT

a) Utilize synthetic treatments designed to alter physiological function in order to control the reaction of the body to the disturbance.

7. SURGERY, CHEMOTHERAPY, ETC

a) When all subtle attempts fail and surgical or suppressive therapy is indicated.

Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture is a style of acupuncture that was developed by a Westerner for Western patients and practitioners to address chronic problems mixed with physical and spirit-level issues.

The foundation for this style of acupuncture was laid down over 2000 years ago and is firmly rooted in the classics of Chinese medicine. Treatment focuses on treating the patient’s ‘spirit’ (shen), illnesses caused by emotions, and utilizing preventative treatment with minimal therapeutic intervention.

One of the most important concepts in this style of medicine is that the Constitutional Factor is the  primary imbalance that needs to be addressed. An individuals Constitutional Factor is identified and guides treatment. 

The 5 Elements lie at the heart of diagnosis and include: 

1. 1. 1. Wood
      2. Fire
      3. Earth
      4. Metal
      5. Water

All people have all 5 elements within them, however there may be an inherited or acquired weakness that creates an imbalance. 

This style of Acupuncture is unique, holistic and can provide invaluable insight for patients to maintain balance.

Dr.Yelena has had additional training in this style of Acupuncture mentoring with Jim Dowling, who has practiced this style for over 25 years. 

Hicks, A., Hicks, J., & Mole, P. (2014). Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture. St. Louis: Elsevier Health Sciences UK.