What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is the art and science of disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention using the healing power of nature. Focusing on prevention and using natural substances and treatments, Naturopathic Doctors support and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.

Naturopathic Medicine aims to treat the root cause of illness or disease, rather than simply treat or suppress the symptoms. The patient is seen as a whole person and the ND takes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions into account to diagnose and make a treatment plan.

Therapies Used:

Nutritional Medicine
Clinical nutrition examines the relationship between diet and health. The deficiency of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes is addressed based on the diagnosis.

Botanical Medicine
Plants and various herbal preparations are used for treating different health conditions. Plants are the foundation of modern pharmacology and the primary advantage of using botanical medicine over traditional pharmaceutical agents is a reduced severity of side effects.

Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of treatment that involves inserting very thin needles through a person’s skin at specific points on the body to various depths. It can help relieve pain and other health conditions. Acupuncture points are believed to stimulate the central nervous system. This in turn releases chemicals into the muscles, spinal cord, and brain. These biochemical changes may stimulate the body’s natural healing abilities and promote physical and emotional well being.
Acupuncture is helpful for : musculoskeletal disorders, back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, migraines, headaches, anxiety, depression, infertility, insomnia, nervousness, and other conditions.

Lifestyle Counselling
Physical, emotional, spiritual, nutritional and environmental factors affect each individual differently. Naturopathic doctors take into consideration these factors and encourage patients to adopt health promoting behaviour.

What can I expect from my Naturopathic Doctor?

The Naturopathic Doctor will take an in depth history and may do a complaint oriented physical examination during your initial visit. If you have had any blood work done recently or reports from your doctor you should bring them with you. Depending upon the patient complaints, some inhouse tests are also performed.

First Visit
The initial visit is 60 - 90 minutes depending upon your health concerns. During this time, a thorough history is obtained. It is an opportunity to bring up any concerns or questions you may have and the doctor will also ask questions pertaining to your health issues. The goal is to find out the root cause of the illness, and a complaint oriented physical exam may also be performed as needed.
You are encouraged to bring a list of medications and lab reports, or any other re[prts with you to discuss. Your medical history, including past illnesses, diagnoses and current medical conditions will also be discussed.

Who can benefit from Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Doctors are primary care physicians and can treat patients of varying ages and stages of life; from infants to eldery. A wide variety of chronic and acute conditions may benefit from treatment by NDs. Common conditions treated include: allergies, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, eczema, acne, IBD, infertility, menopausal problems, colds and flu, ear and throat infections, weightless, headaches/migraines, among many other conditions.

What coverage is available for Naturopathic Medicine?

Many private health insurance companies provide full or partial coverage under extended health care plan