Naturopathic Medicine
"A healthy outside starts from a healthy inside"
-Robert Urich-
Naturopathy
Naturopathic medicine is a comprehensive primary health care approach that integrates traditional healing therapies with conventional medical knowledge and understanding.
Focusing on prevention, and using gentle non-invasive natural treatments, Naturopathic medicine support and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself. Naturopathic treatment can complement conventional medical treatment or be used effectively on its own.
The primary goal is to address the cause of illness, rather than simply suppress symptoms. Each person’s unique physical, mental and emotional state is considered in developing a personalized healthcare plan.
Naturopathic Medicine is driven by the 6 Fundamental Healing Principles:
- First, to do no harm
- To treat the root causes of disease
- To support the healing power of the body
- To teach the principles of healthy living and preventative medicine
- To heal the whole person through individualized treatment
- To emphasize prevention
What to Expect in Naturopathic Medicine
The primary goal is to understand all aspects of an individual’s life and determine how they are impacting their health and sense of well being.
Naturopathy uses a variety of modalities to return the individual to health:
Clinical Nutrition
Dietary assessment and modification may be used to optimize body function and address deficiencies. This may include the use of vitamin, mineral, or enzyme supplementation.
Botanical Medicine
Plants and their constituents have a long and eclectic tradition of use in addressing disease and illness.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
An ancient method of diagnosis and treatment using dietary, herbal, and acupuncture techniques has shown to be very effective in addressing many concerns.
Homeopathy
Minute doses of natural substances (animal, botanical, and mineral) are used to stimulate the body’s natural healing ability.
Counseling and Lifestyle Management
Discussion and assessment of biopsychosocial aspects of the individual to foster a more dynamic and permanent healing process.
Hydrotherapy
The use of water and its properties to stimulate metabolic processes and immunity.
Initial Consult
The first consultation lasts approximately 90 minutes. It consists of establishing a thorough medical history and detailed examination of the individual’s primary health concerns. Aspects that are covered in this visit will be primary health concerns, medical history, social history, current and past medication usage, and expectations of treatment. A complaint-oriented physical will also be carried out.
First Follow up
The physical exam will be initiated or completed and possibility of diagnostic tests, if necessary, will be addressed. An individualized treatment plan and course of action will also be discussed in this consultation.
Subsequent Visits
Subsequent visits are determined by the goals of the treatment plan and health goals of the patient.
Conditions That Can Benefit From Naturopathic Treatment
- Allergies & Asthma
- Addictions
- ADD / ADHD / Autism
- Anxiety & Panic Attacks
- Auto Immune Syndromes
- Insomnia & Sleep disorders
- Back Pain & Sciatica
- Candida & Dysbiosis
- Cancer & Chemo support
- Diabetes & Obesity
- CFS & Fibromyalgia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Hair loss
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Heart Disease
- Migraines & Headaches
- Thyroid Conditions
- Smoking Cessation
- Urinary & Kidney Issues
- PMS Menstrual Disorders
- Menopause
- Prostatitis & BPH
- Male & Female Fertility
- Ear, Nose & Throat
- Eczema, Acne & Psoriasis
- Cellular Detoxification
Naturophathy FAQs:
• What do naturopaths do?
- Naturopaths focus on holistic health and wellness, using natural therapies to treat and prevent illness. This may include nutritional advice, herbal remedies, lifestyle counseling, and other non-invasive treatments aimed at promoting the body’s natural healing abilities.
• Is naturopathic medicine regulated?
- Yes, in Canada, naturopathic medicine is regulated in several provinces including Ontario. Naturopathic doctors must complete accredited training and adhere to regulatory standards to practice legally.
• Are naturopaths licensed doctors?
- Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are licensed healthcare professionals who have completed a rigorous, accredited four-year naturopathic medical program. While they are not medical doctors (MDs), they are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent a wide range of conditions using natural therapies.
• Do all naturopaths do the same thing?
- No, naturopathic doctors can specialize in different areas, such as nutrition, herbal medicine, acupuncture, or homeopathy, depending on their training and focus. For example, some of the treatments provided by our naturopath includes TCM acupuncture, lifestyle and nutrition, pain management, stress management, fertility counseling, menopause care, health and wellness, gastrointestinal issues, smoking cessation, skin conditions and so much more.
• Can naturopaths provide acupuncture?
- Yes, our naturopathic doctors are trained and licensed to provide acupuncture as part of their treatment plans.
• My insurance only covers acupuncture, can my naturopathy session be billed under acupuncture?
- No, it cannot. A naturopathic session typically includes a variety of treatments, such as dietary advice, herbal medicine, and lifestyle counseling, in addition to acupuncture. Since the session involves more than acupuncture alone, it cannot be billed solely under acupuncture. Additionally, the practitioner you are seeing is a Doctor of Naturopathy, who provides a broad scope of care beyond just acupuncture, which is reflected in the session billing. It’s best to check with your insurance provider about their coverage policies for naturopathic services.
• Can I do acupuncture if I am pregnant?
- Yes, acupuncture is generally considered safe during pregnancy when performed by a qualified practitioner. It is often used to manage pregnancy-related symptoms such as nausea, back pain, or headaches. However, always inform your acupuncturist that you are pregnant, as some points should be avoided during pregnancy.