Naturopathic physicians are licensed to diagnose and treat disease. Diagnostic tools include ability to do full physical exams and paps, aas well as order lab and imaging studies as needed. Education for naturopaths includes four years of pre-med, followed by four years of naturopathic medical school. Although naturopathic physicians are licensed to prescribe a number of pharmaceutical drugs, the focus of naturopathic training is on the utilization of more natural, non-toxic therapies. Naturopathic medicine differs from conventional medicine in philosophy as well as substance. Whereas conventional allopathic methods attempt to manage symptoms by controlling or suppressing the expression of disease, naturopathic medicine seeks to recognize and honor the wisdom of nature as it flows through the body, working with that process to facilitate, encourage and stimulate revitalization.  Providing proper nourishment, removing obstacles to healing, addressing the underlying causes of ill health, and stimulating the inherent healing forces within the body are all part of a naturopathic approach to health. Naturopathic therapies are safe, highly effective and, in some cases, may work even faster than conventional methods. There is a great wisdom and power in nature that our modern technological world has almost totally lost touch with. We  seem to have forgotten that, in truth, healing is as natural as breathing. Our bodies have an inherent ability to heal, and  it is our job  to trust and honor that ability.  Our interventions work best when the therapies we choose nourish and support nature.  
Do No Harm
While sometimes we are forced to make compromises, our overriding intention needs to be clear. Ideally, healing should progress in a fashion that is gentle, and rapid with no untoward effects. Dr. Frances does not expect patients to experience side effects as a result of a treatment that has been initiated  for them. If side effects do occur, the therapy needs to be modified in some way. It is not necessary to trade one set of symptoms for another.  
Nourish and Support
Proper nutrition is essential for healing. Nutritional considerations may range from simple changes in diet to the addition of supplements such as vitamins, minerals or other nutrients that are either lacking in the diet or required to treat a particular health issue. An example of the latter is the use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of arthritis.  Many of the herbs  prescribed by naturopathic physicians function by nourishing a particular organ or body system so that it is able to return to more normal functioning.  
Avoiding Suppression
Symptoms are often an expression of  the body's attempt to heal itself. A nasal discharge or skin abscess may develop as an attempt to rid the body of toxins. The elevation in temperature that accompanies an infection increases white blood cell activity and makes the body  less hospitable for disease causing microbes. If  something is given  to dry up a  nasal discharge,  the body's attempt to heal by eliminating toxins is blocked.  Similarly, administration of fever lowering drugs interferes with one of  the body's natural processes for fighting infection and may actually prolong the course of  the disease. Suppression is occurring when symptoms clear up in one area but other, more serious symptoms appear in a deeper, more vital organ to replace those that have gone.