Patients are more than their diagnoses. More than their symptoms. More than their medications. Each person body is unique physiological landscape, shaped by their cumulative life experiences.
This philosophy, as developed by Ecore founder Evelyn Hallford, is rooted in the idea that each individual has a unique life journey and set of circumstances that shape their health.
She coined it: “Treating the Terrain.”
Treating the terrain is a comprehensive approach to health and wellness that addresses underlying conditions and factors contributing to a person's overall health status.
There is a complex interplay of factors such as:
- Environmental influences, both past and present
Supporting the Body’s Healing Capacity
While the body is designed for health, modern stressors and daily demands can disrupt its natural rhythms. A packed schedule, responsibilities at work and home, and shifting hormonal patterns can create obstacles that impair healing. Naturopathic medicine seeks to remove these barriers and support Vis Medicatrix Naturae through:
- Optimized Nutrition – Whole, unprocessed foods rich in phytonutrients, fiber, and essential fats provide the raw materials for repair and metabolic balance.
- Optimized Foundations of Health – Hydration, restorative sleep, movement, and meaningful work all contribute to the body’s ability to heal and thrive.
- Digestive and Detoxification Support – Gut health, liver function, and efficient elimination pathways help reduce toxic burdens that inhibit healing.
- Hormonal and Neuroendocrine Balance – Supporting adrenal, thyroid, and reproductive hormones ensures the body's communication systems function effectively, especially during times of stress and transition.
- Traditional Healing Modalities – Herbal medicine, homeopathy, Constitutional Hydrotherapy, Craniosacral Therapy, and other therapies stimulate the Vis to heal chronic conditions once the foundations of health have been established.
Healing Versus Symptom Suppression
A key distinction between naturopathic medicine and conventional medicine is the approach to symptoms. Conventional medicine often suppresses symptoms with pharmaceuticals, treating them as problems to be silenced. In contrast, naturopathic medicine views symptoms as the body’s way of signaling an imbalance. Instead of masking these signals, the goal is to understand their root cause and support the healing process—resolving symptoms rather than merely managing them.
For example, instead of simply using medication to reduce inflammation, a naturopathic approach would ask: Why is the body inflamed? Is it due to poor gut health, blood sugar imbalances, chronic stress, or another underlying factor? Addressing these root causes allows for true, lasting healing.
A Return to Vitalism
Modern medicine has largely moved away from the concept of a self-healing force, favoring mechanistic interventions over holistic support. However, as energy levels shift, metabolism changes, and stress accumulates over time, there is an increasing need for an integrative approach—one that acknowledges Vis Medicatrix Naturae and works in harmony with it.
As a vitalistic naturopathic doctor, I see this principle in action every day. Many individuals navigating the demands of work, relationships, and personal growth find relief not through suppression, but through strategic, foundational support that allows their bodies to do what they were designed to do—heal.
By honoring and supporting Vis Medicatrix Naturae, we reclaim a truth that has existed for millennia: nature is the most powerful healer, and when we align with its wisdom, profound transformation is possible.
