origin
A model first developed by Jared Zeff and Pamela Snider and refined across years of teaching and writing.Publications & Products
About the Therapeutic Order
Republished with permission from the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges, this Academy branch explains the Therapeutic Order as a hierarchy of healing and a strategy for restoring health through the healing power of nature.
sequence
A hierarchy that moves from least to most forceful intervention while working from the inside out.healing
A framework designed to treat disease by restoring health rather than managing symptoms alone.Use Guidelines
Guide to Using the Naturopathic Medicine Therapeutic Order in Publications and Education
The authors, along with the Foundations of Naturopathic Medicine Institute (FNMI) and the Institute for Natural Medicine (INM) welcome naturopathic physicians and other health professionals to undertake further scholarship, research, and adaptations of the (copyrighted and trademarked) Therapeutic Order in the spirit of respectful and creative collaboration, and in the transformation of health care to a system which cares for health.
Permission to use, reference and adapt the Naturopathic Medicine Therapeutic Order for non-commercial or non-profit (not for sale) purposes had the following user requirements:
- Include the statement provided below either 1) in the body of the text or 2) included within a footnote linked to the use of Therapeutic Order in the text.
- Include the citations provided below referenced to the Therapeutic Order in the text.
- Include “© Foundations of Naturopathic Medicine Institute. Used with Permission” with figures or diagrams of Therapeutic Order.
- Titles of works should initially refer to use of the Therapeutic Order by indicating its origins in Naturopathic medicine in the title. For example – “A Functional Medicine (or Integrative Medicine) Pain Management Model using the Naturopathic Medicine Therapeutic Order”; or similar.
Core Principle
The ripple is the side effect of the droplet
The Therapeutic Order is organized around restoring health by working with the least forceful, most health-creating interventions appropriate to the patient.
The full FNMI wording and citation list now appear here exactly so the model can be referenced, taught, and adapted with the correct language and attribution.
Purchase Options
Bring the Therapeutic Order into view and study
The Academy offers the Therapeutic Order in two purchase-ready forms: a wall poster for clinics and classrooms, and a longer seminar-style webinar for deeper learning.
Therapeutic Order Educational Poster
A 36" x 24" vinyl poster designed to keep the hierarchy of healing visible in offices, classrooms, and home study spaces.
Therapeutic Order Clinical Education Seminar
A 110-minute educational webinar on origins, clinical applications, and research implications for the Therapeutic Order.
Seven Stages
The components of the Therapeutic Order
These seven levels are presented from the bottom up, increasing in intervention as needed, while keeping the restoration of health at the center of care.
Remove Obstacles to Health
The first step is removing whatever is creating a disturbance to health: poor diet, stress, toxic exposures, inadequate rest, trauma, digestive disruption, or other obstacles that prevent healing from unfolding well.
Stimulate the Body’s Self-Healing Mechanisms
Naturopathic medicine recognizes an innate healing intelligence. Therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, prayer, meditation, and biofield work may be used to stimulate and support this restorative force.
Strengthen Weakened or Damaged Systems
Some tissues, organs, or whole systems need support, restoration, or regeneration beyond simple stimulation. Botanical medicine, nutrition, endocrine balancing, counseling, manual therapies, and other natural modalities may be used here.
Correct Structural Integrity
This level addresses physical structure through therapies such as spinal manipulation, massage, electrotherapy, craniosacral work, physical therapy, movement, and exercise to support alignment and sound biomechanics.
Use Natural Therapies to Address Pathology and Symptoms
When distinct pathology must be addressed directly, dependable natural therapies may be used to relieve suffering while minimizing toxic burden and staying aligned with the body’s healing effort.
Use Pharmaceutical or Synthetic Substances
In some cases, prescription or synthetic substances are necessary to strongly manage symptoms or restrain progressive pathology, even though they do not by themselves resolve the deeper causes of illness.
Use High-Force, Invasive Therapies
When needed for safety, comfort, or stabilization, suppressive or invasive interventions may be used before returning to the deeper work of addressing causes and restoring health.
Citations
The original citation list
- Lindlahr, H. 1913. Nature Cure: The Philosophy of the Unity of Disease and Cure.
- about-the-therapeutic-order.html.
- Zeff, J.L. (1997). The process of healing: A unifying theory of naturopathic medicine. Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, 7(1). 122-5.
- Zeff, J.L., Snider, P., & Myers, S., DeGrandpre, Z., (2013 4th ed.; & 2006 3rd ed. Zeff, Snider, Myers). A Hierarchy of Healing: The Therapeutic Order. A Unifying Theory of Naturopathic Medicine. In J.E. Pizzorno & M. Murray. Textbook of Natural Medicine. Churchill Livingston St. Louis, Missouri.
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273634914_A_Hierarchy_of_Healing_The_Therapeutic_Order_A_Unifying_Theory_of_Naturopathic_Medicine. Finnell, J. Snider, P., Myers, S., Zeff, J.
- A Hierarchy of Healing: Origins of the Therapeutic Order and Implications for Research. Integrative Medicine • Vol. 18, No. 3 • June 2019. assets/docs/advance-releases/origins-of-the-therapeutic-order.pdf.