About Naturopathic Medicine

HOW HEALTHY ARE YOU?

  • Are you suffering from common problems such as anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, brain fog, blood sugar imbalances or other stress related conditions?
  • Are you or your family affected by allergies, arthritis, asthma, chronic colds, ear infections or flues?
  • Do you have digestive problems such as constipation, gas and bloating, colitis or irritable bowel syndrome?
  • Are you at risk for heart disease, diabetes, arthritis or cancer?
  • Are you or your children suffering from eczema, psoriasis, acne, skin rashes or other skin disorders?
  • Do your children have learning disorders, hyperactivity or behavioural problems?
  • Women: Are you experiencing hormonal imbalances such as menopausal symptoms, premenstrual syndrome, infertility, weight gain, endometriosis, fibroids, decreased libido or breast cancer?
  • Men: Are you experiencing hormonal imbalances such as impotence, decreased libido, prostate problems or prostate cancer?
Do you look, feel, think and perform your best? There is a system of health promotion and disease management and prevention that will allow you to take natural, safe and effective measures to restore your health and vitality.

Over the past decade there has been a dramatic renewal of interest in natural medicine and preventive health care. People are sick and tired of being "sick and tired". They are increasingly becoming aware that drugs and surgery are not always necessary and they want to take more responsibility for their own health.

WHAT IS NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE?

Naturopathic medical care, or naturopathy, is a form of primary health care that draws on both science and tradition. Put together, the root words "naturo" and "pathos" (from the Greek) means a natural way to relieve suffering.

The naturopathic approach sees symptoms as being a result of a person's response to disease-causing factors-as the body's attempt to maintain balance and defend itself. Natural methods and substances are used to support and stimulate the body's inherent self-healing ability and thereby restore the overall health of the individual. Above all, naturopathic doctors seek to remove the roots of the illness by identifying and treating the cause or causes. Treatments are carefully chosen to bring about healing of the whole person, without harming the patient or suppressing the symptoms.

Naturopathy prefers to prevent disease rather than to treat it. This is done through natural methods that strengthen the vital force within the person, giving the vitality needed to fend off potential sources of illness. Naturopaths are able to effectively prevent disease because they recognize that diseases rarely develop overnight. Disruptions in the optimal function of the organ systems usually occur years before a disease is diagnosable by standard laboratory procedures. Sensitivity to the subtle signs and signals of such disruptions can guide early intervention.

In addition, naturopaths, remembering the Latin root of the word "doctor," believe that the most important role of the physician is to educate patients on how to be healthy.

Today, people are seeking the benefits of naturopathic medicine in increasing numbers because they have experienced the restrictions of allopathic medicine.

The term "Naturopathic Medicine" refers to a distinct system of primary health care that uses natural methods and substances to support and stimulate the body's inherent self-healing process and it is founded on the most time tested principle Vis Medicatrix Naturae - The Healing Power of Nature The term "naturopathic" comes from the Greek words, "naturo" and "pathos", meaning a natural way to relieve suffering.

"The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well" Hippocrates

HOW ARE NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS TRAINED?

Naturopathic physicians registered and licensed in regulated provinces or states must complete three years of pre-medical studies at university followed by four years of naturopathic medical training at a recognized college of naturopathic medicine. Graduates from the colleges must then pass a national standardized board exam to qualify for licensure in each province or state.

DO NATUROPATHIC PHYSCIANS PERFORM EXAMINATIONS?

Yes. Naturopathic practitioners take an extensive history and perform physical examinations using standard diagnostic instruments and laboratory tests. Additional specialized testing is done to access the imbalances or weakness in the body long before a disease can be detected with standard diagnostic procedures. Additional information related to lifestyle, diet, stress, exercise, exposure to environmental hazards and emotions may be requested.

DO NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS USE DRUGS OR SURGERY?

No. Naturopathic doctors do not use prescription drugs or surgery in Canada, although the scope of practice in some states allows minor surgery and prescription rights. There may be a time and place where drugs and surgery are absolutely necessary and naturopathic doctors are trained to recognize conditions which require conventional medical treatment. No one area of medicine has all the answers.

The medical doctor's (MD's) approach is focused on disease diagnosis, emergency or crisis medicine and treating the symptoms with prescription drugs. If someone is in a car accident, emergency medicine is first and foremost and then naturopathic treatments can speed up the healing process. No one area of medicine has all the answers.

Although the standard medical approach is valuable and a necessary part of the overall approach to health care, it does not address the underlying cause of the condition, but rather focuses on symptom relief and crisis intervention. For example, headaches: More than likely, all conventional diagnostic tests will be normal and the patient will be sent home with pain killers. The diagnostic assessment to rule out pathology as well as immediate pain relief is necessary but the patient is still left with not knowing why they are having the headaches. Headaches are not a deficiency of Tylenol. An ND will evaluate all the possible causes of the headaches such as food allergies, neck problems, liver congestion, bowel toxicity, dehydration, hormonal imbalances, or emotional problems and work to correct these underlying disturbances.

WHAT TREATMENTS ARE PROVIDED BY NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS?

Nutritional and Lifestyle Counseling: Dietary programs based on individual needs and biochemistry. Vitamins, minerals and other supplements are used to balance deficiencies.

Botanical Medicine: The use of plant substances for the healing properties and nutritional value.

Homeopathy: The use of minute amounts of diluted natural substances to stimulate the body's self-healing abilities. Homeopathy is based on the principle "Like cures like".

Physical Therapies: the use of water, light and sound machines (i.e. ultrasound), stretching, exercise and referrals to other practitioners to balance structural problems.

Chelation and Intravenous (IV) Therapy: Some ND's have specialized training in chelation and IV therapy that provide positive benefits for patients with specific health problems.

Acupuncture: The use of acupressure or acupuncture needles to balance the energy (chi) flow in the different organ systems.

Energetic Medicine: Beyond the chemical bonding of molecules and atoms, are fields Of pure energy from which the atoms and matter of our physical bodies arise; these energy fields are the subtle body, composed of vibrational sheaths. There are many different forms of energy balancing therapies and tools.

Spiritual Exercise: The ultimate healer for each of us is our connection with Divine Spirit, however we perceive this force in our lives. Communion with spirit (prayer, meditation, contemplation, etc.) is an essential part of healing.

HOW DO NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIANS FUNCTION AS PART OF TODAY'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM?

Naturopathic doctors are primary health care physicians trained to work in-co-opeation with all other health care professionals. Often ND's are the first practitioner to see a patient for a given complaint.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF NATUROPATHIC HEALTH CARE?

The goal of the naturopathic practice is to treat the underlying disorders and to restore normal body function by enhancing the body's own healing abilities. Therefore, ND's must focus their efforts on understanding the unique needs of each patient and as a result naturopathic treatments are highly individualized. Patients are involved in their own health program and learn to make effective, educated self-care decisions which can prevent future health problems. Some other benefits of naturopathic health care are:
  • Increased stamina and energy
  • Increased ability to respond to stressful situations
  • Elevation of mood and improved sleep patterns
  • Protection against heart attacks, and stroke
  • Protection against the development of chronic diseases such as cancer
  • Healthy immune function
  • Increased exercise capability
  • More ability to maintain mental focus
"The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease". Thomas A. Edison

HOW DO I FIND A QUALIFIED NATUROPATHIC PHYSICIAN?

Call the naturopathic association in your individual province:

DOES HEALTH INSURANCE COVER NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE?

Most private insurance plans cover naturopathic visits. Insured patients are encouraged to contact their employer or individual insurance agents to determine if they are covered and to what extend and to request that their policy be extended to include naturopathic services if it does not already do so.