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It is the belief of The Upledger Institute that, while our primary focus is on human beings, all living biological systems are gifted by nature with ingenious methods and processes by which they survive and function amid a wide variety of changing demands that are placed upon them by both internal and external environmental conditions. Further, we believe that the best methods and processes of adaptation to these various demands are inherent within each living system.

When a living system demonstrates signs of faltering adaptive ability, we believe that it is very important to search for, discover and then offer support to these inherent and natural adaptive processes so that they become better able to perform their duties. The biological system then has an improved ability to function that, in the context of human biological systems, brings the body closer to optimal health.

This approach to health enhancement for humans may be considered facilitative rather than curative or palliative. That is, The Upledger Institute advocates the facilitation of inherent processes within the human body. This equates to the facilitation of self-healing.

We do not advocate that this facilitation of the body's inherent self-healing processes exclude the use of Western conventional modalities that are more invasive and directive. Rather, we believe that our facilitative approach should be integrated into all phases of conventional Western healthcare in recognition of the self-healing power inherent in each human being. We believe that the integration of our approach with all other healthcare practices will offer each patient or client reduced morbidity, reduced mortality, better quality of recovery from disease and/or trauma, as well as an opportunity to age much more comfortably and gracefully.

Further, we believe that the answer to every health problem is present within the biological system in question. Rather than invade and probe that biological system so that it feels it must defend itself against the well-meaning invader/prober, we instead, by gentle touch, verbal or non-verbal communication and/or intention, most respectfully request that the biological system in question offers to us the reason for the problem.

We also ask how we may help to correct or resolve the reason as gently as possible. We ask to be guided as we offer ourselves as facilitators to the self-healing process. This work can be done in conjunction with conventional Western medicine and surgery. When performed properly it will enhance the positive responses to conventional Western modalities and lessen the need for more and more toxic and invasive procedures.

In summary, we believe that there is an "Inner Physician" in each patient/client who understands each health problem and how best to resolve it. The Upledger Institute sees the therapist's responsibility as one in which the Inner Physician is brought into "dialogue" with the therapist, who then follows the advice given by that Inner Physician.