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What is naturopathic medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. It is based on the healing power of nature and it supports and stimulates the body's ability to heal itself. Naturopathic medicine is the art and science of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention using natural therapies including: botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation, traditional Chinese medicine / acupuncture, and prevention and lifestyle counseling.
What type of training do Naturopathic Doctors have?
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.
How does it compare to conventional medicine?
Naturopathic Doctors and Medical Doctors both provide primary care and both receive very similar training. The primary differences between naturopathic and conventional medicine are the philosophical approach and the therapies used. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) treat patients as individuals by addressing the physical, environmental, lifestyle, and emotional aspects of health. This allows Naturopathic doctors to find and treat the cause of the disease using natural, non-invasive therapies. This process can be a little like peeling back layers of an onion. Sometimes it is necessary to take it one layer at a time. ND’s also view the body as a whole- body, mind and spirit are interconnected and the body is one. The aim is 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.
What are the naturopathic principles?
1. First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere) I choose remedies and therapies that are safe and effective, to increase your health and decrease harmful side effects.
2. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae) I work to restore and support the powerful and inherent healing abilities of your body, mind and spirit and to prevent further disease from occurring.
3. Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam) My primary goal is to determine and treat the underlying cause of the disease or condition.
4. Treat the Whole Person In treating the cause of any condition I will take into account not only your physical symptoms, but also mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual and other factors.
5. Doctor as Teacher (Docere) I will assist you in understanding health and illness and in becoming more capable of maintaining your own health.
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion I will apply all of the above principles in a proactive form of disease prevention and health promotion.
What can Naturopathic Medicine do for you?
Naturopathic medicine treats all forms of health concerns -- from pediatric to geriatric, from irritating systems to chronic illness and from the physical to the psychological. Naturopathic medicine is beneficial for the following types of patients:
1. Patients that are looking for disease prevention and health promotion strategies.
2. Patients that have a range of symptoms that they have been unable to address on their own or with the help of other medical practitioners.
3. Patients that have been diagnosed with an illness, often serious or chronic and are looking for alternative treatments. Naturopathic medicine is very effective for improving quality of life for those with serious and life threatening illnesses.
4. Patients that are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments with the aim of minimizing side effects of drugs, surgery or conventional treatments
Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by OHIP?
Most extended health insurance plans in both Canada and the United States cover naturopathic treatments. Insured patients are encouraged to contact their employer or individual insurance brokers to determine if they are covered and/or to request that their policy be extended to include naturopathic services if it does not already do so. Since naturopathic doctors use alternatives to costly techniques and drug therapies, more insurance companies are beginning to investigate expanding coverage of this cost-effective treatment method. Naturopathic medicine is currently not covered by any of the provincial health plans.
How long is a typical visit?
Your first appointment will be 1 hour to 1 hour and fifteen minutes in length and your second visit will be 45 minutes in length. During the initial visits I will take a detailed history of your current and past health concerns, conduct a physical exam and use information from applicable laboratory tests to make an assessment and diagnosis. With your input, a personalized treatment plan will be proposed to help facilitate achieving your health goals. 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.
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