Naturopathic Medicine

WHAT IS NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE?

Naturopathic medicine is a system of primary health care that promotes wellness and prevention of illness or disease. Naturopathic doctors are highly educated primary care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies. Naturopathic medicine plays an important role in integrative health care, and treatments can be used singularly or in concert with other conventional medicine.

As a distinct system of primary healthcare, naturopathic medicine addresses the root causes of illness. Naturopathic medicine supports the body’s own healthy ability using treatments and prevention techniques that include acupuncture/Asian medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine (such as massage and hydrotherapy), clinical nutrition, homeopathic medicine, and lifestyle counselling.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Naturopathic medicine is for people of all ages and health histories who want to take their health into their own hands. NDs are primary health providers and are qualified to see and treat everyone, though some NDs focus in specific areas such as paediatrics, geriatrics, cancer care, sports medicine, digestive health, pain management, etc.

WHAT CONDITIONS DO NATUROPATHIC DOCTORS COMMONLY TREAT?

As primary health-care providers, naturopathic doctors manage a variety of conditions, including:

• Digestive complaints such as GERD, IBS, IBD, constipation, food intolerances.
• Stress management.
• Respiratory complaints, such as allergies, asthma, colds and flus.
• Depression and anxiety.
• Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.
• Hormone problems, for example, acne, infertility, menstrual complaints.
• Pain management, for example, arthritis, and sports injuries.
• Diabetes (Type 2).
• Cardiovascular diseases such as cholesterol and blood pressure.

WHAT WILL MY TREATMENTS BE LIKE?

Every person will get an individualized treatment plan catered specifically to their needs. No two people are exactly alike, and so no two treatments are exactly the same. Your treatments will depend on your specific current health concerns, your general health history, your tolerances and intolerances, and what you have the ability to do at home as well as in the office.

Sometimes people with longstanding chronic conditions require more time in order to see improvements in their conditions. Because naturopathic medicine aims to address the source of a condition, rather than simply applying a band-aid fix, you may need to be patient to see results. Feel free to ask your ND questions about your treatment plan and prognosis; getting healthier is a team effort.

WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DO NDS HAVE?

Naturopathic doctors are highly educated primary care providers. Naturopathic medical students complete a four-year full-time program after graduating from a university undergraduate program. The naturopathic medical program encompasses basic medical sciences, naturopathic principles and therapeutics and 1200 hours of supervised clinical experience. Graduates must pass two sets of provincial licensing board exams and maintain ongoing, continuing education.

WHAT IS A NATUROPATHIC APPOINTMENT OR VISIT LIKE?

A visit typically runs about 30-60 minutes in length. Naturopathic visits are designed to allow time to establish a detailed understanding of the patient’s history, contributing factors, current health status and treatment progress. They include physical exams, laboratory and diagnostic testing, as needed, and treatments.

WHAT ARE INFUSION & IV THERAPIES?

IV Therapy is the injection of nutrients into a vein. This ensures 100 percent absorption of nutrients into the body. IV Therapy is an excellent way to delivery nutrients to the body while bypassing the liver and digestive system. When you’re able to bypass the liver and digestive system, you directly increase nutrient levels in the blood stream for long enough that nutrients can be driven into your cells, where they are put to work improving recovery rates, increasing health, and decreasing fatigue. Visit our Infusion Therapy page for a catalogue of IV treatments.

INSURANCE

Most extended insurance plans cover Naturopathic Medical Services. At the end of your visit you will receive a receipt that can be submitted to your insurance provider! Please inquire with your provider as to what your benefits cover.