These primary care practitioners are provincially-regulated and their backgrounds must include comprehensive a education history which includes a pre-med degree followed by four years of training at an accredited naturopathic college. NDs utilize current medical diagnostic tools in conjunction with a wide range of natural therapies. Each naturopathic doctor offers a slightly different approach, but central to their practice is the knowledge that harmonizing the mind, body and environment leads to optimal health. A balance body possesses the natural ability to heal itself. Trained in the early detection of chronic disease, an ND’s individualized treatment plan considers each patient’s unique lifestyle and body chemistry to prevent and treat ailments.

Yes! I like to joke and say that I treat women and “brave men”, but I ultimately would be honoured to treat any individual regardless of assigned gender or gender expression. If you think you would be interested in working with me, please get in touch or book a 15-minute complimentary visit to see if we would work well together.

There are many, varied contributing factors to wellness as well as disease. These include a patient’s genetics, lifestyle choices, diet, mental health, and environmental factors. Each of these factors provide information for the doctor to use as they build an understanding of a patient’s health history. Knowing that many lifestyle choices and dietary habits lead to chronic illness, by addressing the negative habits that cause specific symptoms and changing a patient’s behavior in ways that correct the dysfunction, the underlying cause of an illness can be addressed to cure the problem rather than treat symptoms.

NDs always go for the least-invasive treatment option and focus on allowing the body to regain balance rather than masking symptoms. They are trained in the use of pharmacology as needed, and can ease side effects through other holistic approaches. Naturopathic doctors respect each individual’s healing process by using the least invasive choice necessary to achieve the best results and work to avoid dangerously suppressing symptoms exhibited by a patient. This means implementing treatments that decrease the risk of side effects associated with both over-the-counter medications as well as commonly prescribed medications.
Because NDs understand that symptoms are the body’s way of communicating that there is a problem, naturopathic doctors work to allow the body to heal and re-establish balance overall.

By targeting the underlying causes of illness instead of treating symptoms, patients who see naturopathic doctors can expect to avoid expensive, repeat treatments that prove ineffective at preventing sickness. When a naturopath can identify lifestyle changes a patient can make rather than prescribing expensive pharmaceutical options, saving money is a quick reward. In addition to the cost savings of avoiding prescription medications, the decrease is also associated with avoiding adverse reactions to prescribed medications.
By resolving the illness, patients can avoid painful and expensive surgical procedures that will not only cost them money, but take them out of work for a duration of time. Licensed naturopathic doctors also enjoy much lower malpractice cases which leads directly to lower patient out-of-pocket costs.

If you are searching for personalized treatments that go beyond decreasing symptoms, then you will be a good candidate for a naturopath. One-size-fits-all treatments undercut the possible solutions to health problems and do not work as effectively to treat root causes of disease and illness. If you experience chronic pain and want alternatives to commonly used drugs such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, a holistic approach involving a combination of targeted therapies will allow you to better manage pain symptoms safely. Heal in a way that will allow you to return to normal daily activities without the side effects of over-the-counter medications or, worse, the highly addictive opioids used to treat severe pain.
Are you tired of being told what to do as a passive listener in the doctor’s office? As a patient who wants to be an active participant, a relationship with a naturopath will give you the chance to actively participate in how you manage your health. Maybe you are tired of conventional approaches to medicine and want to open up the opportunity to examine broader treatment pathways. If this sounds like you, then there is a good chance a naturopathic doctor will be a good fit for your health care needs.
 

The guiding principles that naturopathic doctors use to influence their perspective on medicine include six core beliefs. Treating the whole person is one of those core principles that instructs a naturopath to study the multiple areas that contribute to your overall health picture. These factors include your eating habits, activity levels and lifestyle, your genetic make up, environmental factors, psychological and emotional factors, access to prior healthcare, and others.
By examining the full view of a patient’s health, doctors can identify the underlying causes of illness since painful symptoms experienced in one part of the body may actually be caused by another seemingly unrelated system of the body. Evaluating a patient comprehensively allows a naturopathic doctor to connect the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects of your health to see where corrective prescriptions can make a difference in your quality of life.

NDs tackle chronic health concerns and acute conditions because they are primary healthcare providers. They are skilled to diagnose and correct any conditions a family doctor addresses. In the event that an ND is unable to treat your condition, he or she will consult or refer appropriately.

Absolutely! NDs are register with a governing body to certify that they possess the appropriate medical skills and judgment to practice safely. On July 1, 2015, the Naturopathy Act went into effect leading to regulation by the College of Naturopaths from that point forward. As with all health professions, naturopathic doctors receive regulation under the Regulated Health Professions Act.

As of this writing, OHIP does not cover visits to a naturopathic doctor. Please check with your extended healthcare plan to see if naturopathic medicine is covered and at what cost to you.
Source: Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors and College of Naturopaths of Ontario
 

Naturopathic medicine has been practiced in North America for over 125 years. It is a health system that uses a combination of modern scientific knowledge and traditional forms of natural medicine. Naturopathic medicine aims to prevent illness, promote wellness and stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. The various naturopathic treatments are chosen based on the individual needs of the patient. This includes their physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environment and lifestyle factors. When you go to see a Naturopathic Doctor you may discuss diet and lifestyle changes. You may also receive natural therapies such as botanical medicine, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, clinical nutrition or naturopathic manipulation. These days more and more people are seeking the care of a Naturopathic Doctor, often in addition to their Medical Doctor. Naturopathic Medical care is covered by many private health insurance plans.