top of page
Search

The Therapeutic Order


The core philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine is that symptoms are an intelligent response to imbalanced ways of living. If obstacles creating imbalance are removed, and the conditions for health are restored, the body heals itself. This way of seeing orients the doctor and the patient to look for what is disturbing balance and what is missing to restore health. It looks to create the conditions for vitality and well being instead of fighting disease. The clinical thinking of a Naturopathic Doctor is informed by the Therapeutic Order — which outlines a predictable and repeatable process of healing. While drugs and surgery are sometimes necessary steps, the real reversal of disease occurs at the bottom of Therapeutic Order. It also empowers the patient that disease is not a malfunctioning of their body, but a reflection of choices they have the power to change. 



The Therapeutic Order has roots in many ancient healing traditions and was further outlined by renowned Naturopathic Physicians Dr. Jared Zeff and Dr. Pamela Snider. 


The Therapeutic Order: 



  1. Remove disturbances to health:

    1. Remove disturbances to health: diet, stress, imbalanced circadian rhythm, suppressed emotions, negative thoughts, spiritual disharmony, toxins, lack of water, etc.

    2. Establish the belief that healing is possible.

    3. Establish a willingness to change.

    4. Address acute pain.

  2. Establish a healthy regimen: these are the determinants of health or the generators of disease.

    1. Essential: Real Food — Clean Water —- Fresh Air —— Sleep —-Vitamin R

  3. Stimulate self healing mechanisms of the body:

    1. Homeopathy, hydrotherapy, intention, acupuncture, exercise, etc. 

  4. Support weakened or engaged organ systems in the body with herbs or supplements:

    1. Support the gut or the liver, etc with enzymes, supplements, herbs, etc.

  5. Address and correct structural integrity with PT, massage, visceral manipulation.

  6. Treat symptoms or pathology with natural therapeutics:

    1. Giving natural desiccated thyroid hormone from pigs vs using synthetic hormone like Synthroid. 

  7. Treat symptoms or pathology with drugs:

    1. Using steroids to suppress eczema, birth control to suppress cycle issues, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to suppress acid reflux, etc. 

  8. Surgery



Core Principles:


  • Health is a constant and natural state of being.

  • The mind-body-spirit is wise, ordered and intelligent.

  • The mind-body-spirit is self regulating and self healing.

  • The health of the mind-body-spirit is dependent on living in accordance with the laws of the natural world in which we evolved.

  • Ill health is a process that begins with normal health — disturbances in the determinants of health leads to disturbances in the mind-body-spirit.

  • Ill health is an adaptive intelligent response to disturbances in the mind-body-spirit.

  • Removing the disturbing factors (correcting the disturbances in the determinants of health), will create the basis for a return of health.

  • The body is reflecting the state of the mind and the spirit

  • The mind is reflecting the state of the body and the spirit

  • The spirit is reflecting the state of the body and mind

  • Disturbances in one affect the whole, this is the basis for holistic medicine. 




Dr. Jane Litsey

 
 
bottom of page