It’s increasingly clear that our current healthcare system is struggling to address the complexities of chronic disease. Patients are looking for a different approach—one that prioritizes prevention and lifestyle changes over a lifetime of symptom management with medicine. This shift reflects the growing desire for health solutions that empower people to truly improve their well-being.
Naturopathic medicine has so much to offer conventional health care. Practiced for centuries and officially recognized in the United States for more than 100 years, naturopathic practice is guided by the therapeutic order, a treatment approach that starts with natural, gentle methods.1Guide to Using the Naturopathic Medicine Therapeutic Order in Publications and Education. Foundations of Naturopathic Medicine Institute. Published 2019. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://fnminstitute.org/therapeutic-order-use
This is the perfect time to bring patients personalized, whole-health strategies that align with their values, needs, and interests. By working with the body rather than against it, naturopathic philosophy and practices put people first, offering care that nurtures their natural ability not only to heal but thrive.
A hierarchy for good health
The therapeutic order is central to whole-person, or holistic, medicine, guiding care that treats each person as an integrated whole. By addressing physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual needs, the therapeutic order honors individuality, supporting personal health journeys.
What sets the therapeutic order apart is a focus on finding the source of health issues and concerns. There’s a greater goal to resolve underlying problems while addressing symptoms and improving a patient’s quality of life.2Zeff J, Snider P, Myers S. Naturopathic model of healing—the process of healing revisited. Integr Med. (Encinitas). 2019 Aug;18(4):26-30. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7219459
Built to optimize health and wellness, the therapeutic order activates the body’s natural healing process while fortifying weakened systems.3Zeff JL. The process of healing: a unifying theory of naturopathic medicine. J Nat Med. 1997;7(1):122-5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291867092_The_process_of_healing_a_unifying_theory_of_naturopathic_medicine Each stage informs patient care, ensuring that evaluation and treatment are tailored to a person’s unique needs and preferences.
Understanding the seven steps
Establishing the foundations for optimal health
This step is the cornerstone of the therapeutic order. Before diving into any treatment plan, it’s important to first identify and remove any barriers to healing, while also making sure each person has the support they need to feel and function at their best.
Diet, sleep, exercise, and stress management are all part of step one in the therapeutic order.4Oster H, Chaves I. Effects of healthy lifestyles on chronic diseases: diet, sleep, and exercise. Nutrients. 2023 Oct 31;15(21):4627. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15214627 Addressing external factors, like toxin exposure, is also crucial for creating a healing environment that supports recovery.
Stimulating vis medicatrix naturae (the healing power of nature)
Naturopathic medicine supports a person’s innate ability to heal. Step two focuses on stimulating this process with gentle approaches, such as nutrition and lifestyle counseling, botanical medicine, and hydrotherapy. Each of these therapies is thoughtfully chosen to encourage the body’s self-regulating mechanisms.5Kaufman JA. Nature, mind, and medicine: a model for mind-body healing. Explore (NY). 2018 Jul-Aug;14(4):268-276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2018.01.001
Strengthening weakened systems
When certain systems aren’t working at their best, naturopathic doctors use targeted therapies to rebuild strength and resilience. This might involve supplements, herbal remedies, and acupuncture, which support vital functions like immunity and digestion.
Recovering structural integrity
Structural imbalances can lead to various health challenges. Naturopathic doctors address these issues with physical medicine techniques to help restore proper alignment and enhance musculoskeletal health. Chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and osteopathic manipulation are all designed to lessen pain and help people move more freely again.
Natural substances to restore and regenerate
Instead of just treating symptoms, naturopathic doctors focus on uncovering and addressing root causes. Sometimes, the body needs extra support to reach its optimal state. Vitamins, minerals, and botanicals play a central role in tissue regeneration and healing, working in harmony with internal processes.
Pharmacological substances
When natural therapies alone aren’t enough to manage symptoms or conditions, pharmaceuticals may be incorporated into the treatment plan. The focus is on using medications—whether over-the-counter or prescription—responsibly, minimizing side effects, and avoiding interactions.
Higher-force interventions
Higher-force interventions, like surgery, are reserved for cases where other approaches haven’t been effective or when urgent action is needed to protect a patient’s health and quality of life. All options are carefully considered, with the patient’s well-being always being the top priority.
But what about outcomes?
The therapeutic order is an integrative approach to health care that complements today’s medical practices. By adopting a patient-centered and holistic philosophy, we offer a more effective path for treatment.6Fleming SA, Gutknecht NC. Naturopathy and the primary care practice. Prim Care. 2010 Mar;37(1):119-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2009.09.002
Embracing the principles of the therapeutic order will truly transform health care. Not only can we start preventing chronic diseases on a broad scale, but we’ll also reduce the need for costly and invasive treatments. Most important, integrating naturopathic concepts will improve patient care in profound ways:3Zeff JL. The process of healing: a unifying theory of naturopathic medicine. J Nat Med. 1997;7(1):122-5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291867092_The_process_of_healing_a_unifying_theory_of_naturopathic_medicine,7Dunne N, Benda W, Kim L, et al. Naturopathic medicine: what can patients expect? J Fam Pract. 2005. https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/Document/September-2017/5412JFP_AppliedEvidence2.pdf
- Preventing pain and illness: Prioritizing health optimization to avoid sickness and disease
- Personalizing care: Developing tailored treatment plans that address root causes
- Paying more attention to mental health: Tackling stress, anxiety, and trauma to support mental, behavioral, and emotional well-being
- Reducing side effects: Advocating diet and lifestyle strategies to minimize adverse effects
- Sustaining long-term benefits: Focusing on sustainable health practices that hold up in the long run
- Developing stronger patient–provider relationships: Fostering partnerships between patients and healthcare providers built on education, empowerment, communication, and active participation
- Lowering costs: Reducing dependence on higher-cost interventions like pharmaceuticals and surgery
Ultimately, healthcare systems that put patients and prevention first can deliver better care. We have an opportunity to change our health systems for the better, beginning with the holistic foundation of the therapeutic order. This is our chance to build a healthcare future that empowers people, champions well-being, and ensures quality care for everyone.
*The ideas embodied in the therapeutic order are central to naturopathic medicine’s clinical theory and philosophy of practice. Introduced by Henry Lindlahr, ND, and modernized by Jared Zeff, ND, LAc, and Pamela Snider, ND, the therapeutic order is used worldwide by naturopathic doctors in teaching, practice, research, and public policy.
Footnotes
- 1Guide to Using the Naturopathic Medicine Therapeutic Order in Publications and Education. Foundations of Naturopathic Medicine Institute. Published 2019. Accessed August 25, 2025. https://fnminstitute.org/therapeutic-order-use
- 2Zeff J, Snider P, Myers S. Naturopathic model of healing—the process of healing revisited. Integr Med. (Encinitas). 2019 Aug;18(4):26-30. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7219459
- 3Zeff JL. The process of healing: a unifying theory of naturopathic medicine. J Nat Med. 1997;7(1):122-5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291867092_The_process_of_healing_a_unifying_theory_of_naturopathic_medicine
- 4Oster H, Chaves I. Effects of healthy lifestyles on chronic diseases: diet, sleep, and exercise. Nutrients. 2023 Oct 31;15(21):4627. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15214627
- 5Kaufman JA. Nature, mind, and medicine: a model for mind-body healing. Explore (NY). 2018 Jul-Aug;14(4):268-276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.explore.2018.01.001
- 6Fleming SA, Gutknecht NC. Naturopathy and the primary care practice. Prim Care. 2010 Mar;37(1):119-36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2009.09.002
- 7Dunne N, Benda W, Kim L, et al. Naturopathic medicine: what can patients expect? J Fam Pract. 2005. https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/Document/September-2017/5412JFP_AppliedEvidence2.pdf
