Naturopathic Medicine
Get to the Root of all Issues
Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care service for the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. The focus of naturopathic doctors is to address the root cause of illness, rather than to simply suppress symptoms or to manage disease. The patient is seen as a whole person. Naturopathic doctors take into account the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of the patient’s life when diagnosing and developing a treatment plan.
Naturopathic medicine utilizes a variety of methods: Botanical Medicine, Nutrition, Homeopathy, Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Bowen Therapy, Lifestyle Counseling, Lab Testing, and Food Sensitivity Testing.
Some of the most Common Conditions Treated with Naturopathic Medicine are:
Women’s Health Conditions including, Menopausal issues, PMS, Menstrual disorders, Fibrocystic breast disease, Infertility, Prenatal/Postnatal care, Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids, Osteoporosis, Thyroid Disorders and more.
Children’s Health including, Asthma, Allergies, Eczema, Psoriasis, ADD/ADHD, Autism spectrum disorders, Ear infections, Bedwetting, Constipation/Diarrhea/Tummy aches
Oncology/Cancer support such as, Cancer prevention strategies, Support during conventional treatment (radiation, chemo, surgery) for side effects (e.g. fatigue, neuropathy, nausea, weight loss, immune suppression etc.), Post-treatment support (recurrence prevention, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, gastro-intestinal issues etc.)
Chronic illnesses; acute conditions such as Colds and Flus, Headaches; Men’s Health including BPH, Prostatitis, Erectile Dysfunction, Mental/Emotional Health and MORE including, Smoking Cessation, Weight management/Weight loss, Detoxification/Cleansing, General Health Maintenance.
Naturopathic medicine integrates knowledge and therapies that are substantiated by thousands of years of clinical experience, as well as natural medicine that has been substantiated by modern evidence based scientific research.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
First do no harm - The most gentle and non-invasive therapy is sought to facilitate healing with the least possible side effects.
The healing power of nature - The body has the inherent ability – the vitality –to heal itself. The physician’s role is to bolster the patient’s healing capacity.
Treat the whole person - Health and disease result from a complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional, genetic, spiritual, environmental, social, and other factors. The harmonious function of all aspects of the individual is essential to health.
Identify and treat the cause - Illness does not occur without cause. Symptoms are signals that the body is out of balance. When only the symptoms are treated, the underlying causes remain and the patient may develop a more serious, chronic condition.
Prevention is the best cure - Health is a reflection of how we choose to live. The physician assesses risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and makes appropriate intervention to prevent illness.
Doctor as teacher - The original meaning of the word “doctor” was “teacher”. One of a physician’s principle responsibilities is to educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for health.
Education and Regulation
A naturopathic doctor’s training encompasses a minimum of three years of pre-medical university education, followed by a four-year, full-time course of study at one of six recognized North American colleges of naturopathic medicine. Training includes over 4200 hours of study in basic medical sciences, diagnostic and assessment skills, and therapeutic techniques. Naturopathic students must also complete 1500 hours of clinical internship.
In regulated (or licensed) provinces and states across North America, graduates must pass two sets of rigorous standardized exams to receive a license for practice. In Canada, ND’s are regulated in BC, Manitoba, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Legislation is pending in Alberta and Nova Scotia.
In order to maintain high standards of education and to keep a license, Naturopathic doctors are required by their governing bodies to complete a pre-determined yearly number of continuing education hours.
Naturopathic Blogs
What's in my cupboard, by Corlyss Hagarty
What's in my fridge, by Corlyss Hagarty
Book your appointment today! Book NOW
