Tolle Totum
TOL-ley TOH-tum
Definition
Tolle totum is a Latin phrase meaning 'treat the whole person.' This naturopathic principle recognizes that health and disease involve the complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, genetic, environmental, and social factors. Naturopathic doctors assess all aspects of a person's life to create comprehensive, individualized treatment plans.
Why It Matters
Symptoms don't exist in isolation—they emerge from the interplay of multiple body systems, lifestyle factors, and life circumstances. Treating the whole person rather than isolated symptoms or organs addresses the web of factors contributing to illness and promotes true, lasting wellness.
Related Conditions
Related Modalities
Frequently Asked Questions
Whole person care means your naturopathic doctor considers not just your symptoms but also your diet, stress levels, sleep quality, relationships, work environment, exercise habits, past traumas, beliefs about health, and how all these factors interact to affect your wellbeing.
Conventional medicine often specializes by organ system—cardiologists treat hearts, gastroenterologists treat digestion—which can fragment care. Naturopathic medicine recognizes that your gut health affects your mood, your stress affects your hormones, and your sleep impacts everything.
Dr. Sanika Kshirsagar, ND
Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine (ND)
Bastyr University, Kenmore, WA
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