Hello and welcome. I would like to congratulate you on taking the first step towards improved health and vitality for you and your family.

With current healthcare cutbacks and physician shortages, many people are frustrated with the quality of medical care that they are receiving. Doctors, who would like to spend more time with patients on issues like lifestyle changes, nutrition, and wellness are forced to treat only immediate concerns. Patients are often left to fend for themselves with many unanswered questions.

The present circumstances are leading to a situation where the medical system is focused solely on the treatment of disease, thereby largely disregarding the importance of disease prevention and wellness promotion. Patients know that they shouldn't be suffering from ailments such as fatigue, insomnia, lack of energy and digestive complaints, but aren’t equipped with the tools that are necessary for change. Naturopathic medicine can help you to regain your health and vitality by helping you to take responsibility and ownership of yours and your family’s health and by providing you with the tools to do so. I view myself in this regard as an educator and coach, but it is you who is taking the journey.

Naturopathic Doctors (ND) undergo extensive training first in undergraduate studies and then at a post-graduate level in medical and naturopathic sciences. We study the same basic medical sciences as medical doctors do (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology) and we learn the same diagnostic techniques and physical exam procedures. In many areas we function as primary health care providers, although we will not hesitate to refer when a concern is identified that is outside our scope of practice. I have good working relationships with many family physicians in Guelph and Waterloo.

Where we differ from conventional medical practitioners is in our treatment philosophy. ND’s aim to find the underlying cause of your concerns; a process that can be a little like peeling back layers of an onion. Sometimes it is necessary to take it one layer at a time. We also view the body as a whole- body, mind and spirit are interconnected and the body is one. This means that we aim to address all concerns together, as opposed to a compartmentalized view. You will never see a sign in my office reading, "Please bring up only one concern per appointment." Everything is important, and it is all part of what makes up the puzzle that is each individual person. As such, treatment for each person is individual, and tailored to the cause of their ailments and not just to the ailments themselves.

An intake visit requires 60-90 minutes, during which time we will document your full health history and perform a physical exam. Subsequent visits are 30-45 minutes in length. This leaves time for addressing any questions or concerns that you may have regarding your health on an ongoing basis.

I welcome all types of concerns from all patients, and have extensive experience with pregnancy and children's health. Thank you for stopping by, and I look forward to helping you to achieve yours and your family’s health and wellness goals.

Krista Vetter