What is naturopathic medicine and how does it differ from conventional medicine?
Naturopathic medicine differs in philosophy and therefore strategy of treatment. Rather than suppressing symptoms, my goal is to identify and treat the cause of symptoms in order to allow the body to return to health. Naturopathic doctors spend more time with patients and also focus on patient education to promote prevention of illness in the future.
For more information, go to Naturopathic Medicine in the menu on the left or click here.
Is naturopathic medicine cost-effective?
Definitely. The goal of naturopathic treatment is to treat the root cause, not just symptoms, and the ultimate goal is to achieve true wellness and prevent chronic disease in the future. Effective treatment now will save a lot of time, money, and energy down the road! What better investment can you make than in your health? Also, most insurance plans include coverage for naturopathic medicine which will help supplement the cost significantly. For even more reasons why health is worth your time and investment, check out my blog on why Health is Key to Success.
What kinds of ailments or patients can naturopathic medicine treat?
Everyone can benefit from naturopathic medicine, which focuses on treating people, not diseases. Naturopathic medicine also treats all ages and kinds of patients; newborns, children, adults (both men and women), and the elderly.
Naturopathic medicine can be used to treat both acute conditions (such as colds/flus, fever, minor injuries, and migraines) and chronic conditions (such as fatigue, endocrine imbalances, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, neurological disorders, and mood disorders). Naturopathic medicine is also a great support to optimize health through life transitions (such as weight loss, puberty, menopause, pregnancy, and aging) or adjunctive care to support conventional medical treatments.
Many people seek out a naturopathic doctor because they have wellness goals that they have been unable to achieve alone or via conventional medicine or simply because they would like to learn more about their health.
What can I expect in my first visit?
The first visit is 90 minutes and consists of an in-depth intake during which we will discuss your health concerns and goals and an assessment which includes a screening physical exam. During the first visit I will spend most of the time listening in order to understand and prioritize your health needs. At the end of this visit we will have clear priorities, goals, and you will leave with some preliminary treatment recommendations to follow until the second visit.
Do you work with other health care providers?
Definitely. I believe that working as part of a team is the best way to support patients and I am happy to communicate with other health care providers to ensure that you receive the best possible care. Please bring the contact information for your other providers to your first appointment and copies of any recent lab work if possible.
What if I’m taking prescription medications?
Naturopathic medical training includes education in pharmacology including interactions of pharmaceutical medications with herbs, vitamins, and even foods and managing side effects of medications. Please bring a list of current medications and supplements with you to your appointment so that I may take these into account in your treatment plan.
How does naturopathic medical training compare to conventional medical training?
For the answer to this question, check out my blog titled Curriculum Comparison.
Can you run lab tests?
Yes. Naturopathic doctors are trained to draw blood, order lab work, interpret the results, and use this information to create an appropriate treatment plan. I do not have laboratory facilities on site but can order testing for my patients from a lab nearby. Labwork ordered by a naturopathic doctor is not covered by OHIP. If you have copies of any recent lab work from another health care provider, please bring a copy to your appointment if possible.
How long will treatment take?
I believe in creating a treatment plan tailored to your situation and needs and therefore treatment will take a different amount of time for each person. It is impossible to say precisely how long treatment will take due to the many factors and variables that affect health, however, this is something that we can discuss during our appointments, as well as ways to track progress and achievement of your goals as treatment progresses.