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.Republished Context
A unifying theory of naturopathic medicine
One basic assumption in science is that nature is organized and inherently ordered. Since naturopathic therapies respect nature and all it has to offer patient healing, that same regularity should be reflected in the order in which therapies are applied.
The Therapeutic Order is based on the idea that the human form possesses an inherent drive to heal itself. The least possible amount of force should be employed, in the patient’s best interest, to promote gentle, safe, and long-lasting health and well-being.
Working Principle
Least to most invasive, inside out, adapted to each patient
The Therapeutic Order begins with removing causative factors and establishing an environment conducive to health. From there it moves, as needed, toward more targeted, symptomatic, or forceful interventions.
The order is not rigid. It is adapted to each patient, while still following the overall pattern that most efficiently works to restore health.
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 24" x 36" 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.
Primary References
The core literature behind the model
- Zeff J. The Process of Healing: A Unifying Theory of Naturopathic Medicine. Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. 1997;7:122-125.
- Snider P, Zeff J. Naturopathic Clinical Theory Course Materials. 1998.
- Zeff JL, Snider P, Myers S. A Hierarchy of Healing: The Therapeutic Order. In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. 2006 and later editions.