What is naturopathic medicine ?
This is a holistic approach to improve health. The focus is to treat
underlying disorders and restore normal body function
by
enhancing the body's own healing abilities.
The primary goal
of naturopathic treatments is to address the cause of illness rather
than symptoms.
By assessing the whole person and all aspects of a person's
life, naturopathic medicine focuses on disease prevention and
health
enhancement.
The physical, mental and emotional aspects are studied and
the unique needs of each patient are considered.
What training does a naturopathic doctor
(ND) have?
Naturopathic doctors obtain comprehensive and rigorous training in an
educational structure similar to that of medical doctors. Naturopathic
doctors require 3 years pre-med undergraduate education, plus 4 years
of full-time study at an approved college
of naturopathic medicine.
The four-year program incorporates basic medical science courses,
clinical sciences and naturopathic therapies, as well as problem-based
approaches to health issues, and 1500 hours of supervised clinical
experience. In Canada, the only
accredited college of naturopathic
medicine is the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine.
What conditions can be treated by a
ND?
Many health conditions can be treated efficiently with
natural medicine, including those listed here.
More details on many of these conditions and the corresponding
modalities of treatment are included in the
Health
Concerns section of this site.
General conditions (chronic fatigue syndrome,
weight control,
smoking cessation, low immune system, allergies,
food/ environmental
sensitivities)
Gastrointestinal (constipation, IBS, heartburn,
diarrhea, ulcers,
Crohn's)
Endocrine (diabetes, thyroid, impotence, infertility,
women's conditions: PMS, menstrual disorders, menopause,
endometriosis, uterine fibroids,
Cardiovascular (heart conditions, hypertension, high
cholesterol)
Skin (eczema, psoriasis, acne, itchiness, dryness)
Urinary system (infections, prostatitis,
incontinence, nocturnal enuresis)
Musculoskeletal System (arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic
back pain)
Respiratory System (asthma, bronchitis)
Nervous System (anxiety, depression, insomnia,
addictions, hyperactivity, mental or emotional stress)
Acute conditions (headaches, colds and flu, ear and
throat infections)
What treatments do ND's use ?
Naturopathic doctors are trained to use a variety of non-toxic, comprehensive therapies or modalities.
The modalities that naturopathic doctors use are:
Clinical Nutrition
Botanical (Herbal) Medicine
Homeopathic Medicine
Physical Treatments
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
Lifestyle Assessment
What can I expect when I visit a ND?
When you consult a naturopathic doctor, you will find a person
committed to the holistic approach to health.
The doctor will gather a
medical history and perform a physical exam, inquire about your diet,
discuss any stress
you are experiencing, give various non-invasive
tests designed to evaluate body conditions and advise you
concerning
your
condition.
In my practice your first appointment will take approximately 120
minutes, in which a
personalized treatment plan
is proposed. Subsequent appointments
will take 45 minutes.
Can natural medicine be used in
conjunction with conventional medicine?
Yes - indeed I am trained in both conventional and
natural medicine.
Each approach has its benefits and drawbacks.
By combining the best of both of these approaches I believe we can
maximize the health benefits while at the same time
minimize any
associated risks.
How to start?
In my practice I offer a free 20-min
consultation to:
identify possible health problems,
examine treatment alternatives
and
to decide the best way to proceed.
Other practitioners may do the same
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