- What is naturopathic medicine?
- How does it compare with conventional medicine?
- How are naturopathic doctors trained?
- Are naturopathic doctors licensed?
- Can I get coverage for my naturopathic visits?
- Do I need a referral to see a naturopathic doctor?
- What kind of health concerns do naturopathic doctors treat?
- Can I see both a naturopath and a conventional doctor?
- What can I expect when first seeing a naturopathic physician?
- What kind of treatments do naturopaths use?
- What is the philosophy that governs naturopathic practice?
- When can I expect to feel better?
- What would a treatment plan look like?
- Where can I find out more?
1. What is naturopathic medicine?
In short Naturopathic medicine is the art and science of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention. It is a unique form of primary health care that combines modern scientific research with the art and wisdom of traditional and natural forms of medicine. It is predicated on the belief that all living organisms have an innate capacity to heal. As such, naturopathic physicians structure their interventions in order to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself. Using gentle and non invasive means, naturopathic physicians tailor their treatment plans to the unique needs of the individual, taking into account the physical, emotional, environmental and spiritual influences impacting the patient’s health.
2. How does it compare with conventional medicine?
While both conventional and naturopathic doctors are similarly trained, the philosophy that governs their approach to disease and treatments used differ significantly. Modern medicine has traditionally focused on the outward appearance, or manifestations, of disease. It identifies a symptom and applies a therapy, leaving most of us to rely on our symptoms as key indicators of health or disease. The WHO definition of health reflects a shift from the traditional model of health to a broader description that includes “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Just because we can function does not mean we are healthy. As a result most of us learn to live our lives with limitations instead of being free of them. There is often a cure for seemingly intractable health concerns. The answer lies in finding the root cause and clearing the way for the body to heal itself. Suppressing the symptom, does not mean that the cause has been removed.
3. How are naturopathic doctors trained?
Like most health care professionals, naturopathic doctors must first complete their pre-medical studies at post secondary institution after which they enter into a rigorous 4 year program at an accredited naturopathic educational facility. During the first two years of the program, ND’s are schooled in anatomy, physiology, immunology, histology, biochemistry, radiology, pharmacology, microbiology, embryology, physical and clinical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis and pathology. The remaining time is spent on botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, lifestyle counseling, hydrotherapy, physical medicine, and extensive clinical experience under the supervision of licensed naturopathic doctors. Graduates receive the title “N.D.” or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine.
4. Are naturopathic doctors licensed?
Yes. A licensed naturopathic doctor is one who practices in a regulated province (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario) or state or, if practicing in an unlicensed province or state, has obtained and maintains his/her license in a regulated province/state and has completed a four-year, full-time program at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine. Following the completion of an accredited program, NDs must successful complete standardized North American Board exams known as the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) in order to qualify for licensing.
5. Can I get coverage for my naturopathic visits?
Most extended health insurance plans in both Canada and the United States cover naturopathic treatments. Insured patients are encouraged to contact their employer or individual insurance brokers to determine if they are covered and/or to request that their policy be extended to include naturopathic services if it does not already do so. Since naturopathic doctors use alternatives to costly techniques and drug therapies, more insurance companies are beginning to investigate expanding coverage of this cost-effective treatment method. In British Columbia, those receiving premium assistance through MSP are eligible to receive $23 CAD per visit to a supplementary health practitioner. The maximum number of visits covered by MSP is 10.
6. Do I need a referral to see a naturopathic doctor?
No. Naturopathic doctors are primary health care providers. Feel free to contact our office and book an appointment as soon as a health concern arises.
7. What kind of health concerns do naturopathic doctors treat?
ND’s are trained to treat virtually all health concerns ranging from acute to chronic, pediatric to geriatric and physical to psychological. Naturopathic doctors work with three main groups of people:
- patients that are looking for disease prevention and health promotion,
- patients with a range of health concerns and no clear diagnosis and
- patients with chronic and severe illnesses.
8. Can I see both a naturopath and a conventional doctor?
Absolutely! In fact, as naturopaths we encourage collaboration with conventional medical doctors as each has something different to offer. NDs are trained to refer patients to other health care practitioners, where appropriate. Most naturopathic doctors cross-refer extensively to other health care practitioners. Health is a complex issue and therefore warrants different approaches in some situations. In the end, the patient benefits from having access to the best each health care practitioner has to offer.
9. What can I expect when first seeing a naturopathic physician?
The first appointment with a naturopathic doctor is about 1½ hours and subsequent appointments will be from 20 minutes to 1 hour in length depending on your specific health concerns and the naturopathic doctor you are working with. Typically during the initial visits your naturopathic doctor will take a detailed history of your current and past health concerns, conduct a physical exam and use information from laboratory tests to make an assessment and diagnosis. With the patient’s input, a personalized treatment plan will be proposed to help facilitate achieving his or her health goals.
10. What kind of treatments do naturopaths use?
Naturopathic doctors use a variety of non-toxic, non-pharmaceutical treatments. All naturopathic doctors in Canada are trained and licensed in the following natural therapies:
Clinical Nutrition
Clinical nutrition examines the relationship between diet and health. Special diets, food elimination, variations in dietary habits or the use of nutritional supplements may be recommended.
Botanical Medicine (Herbalism)
The use of plants for healing dates back to the beginning of civilization and is the foundation of modern pharmacology. The use of herbs in many forms: teas, tinctures or capsules are used for their healing effects and nutritional value may be recommended for healing effect.
Homeopathic Medicine
Homeopathic remedies are minute dilutions of plant, animal and mineral substances designed to stimulate the body’s “vital force” and strengthen its innate ability to heal.
Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture
Based on balancing the flow of Chi (energy) through meridian pathways under the skin, traditional Chinese medicine includes the use of Oriental herbs and acupuncture to regulate and release Chi in order to bring the body into balance.
Physical Medicine
Physical medicine includes soft tissue work (including therapeutic massage); naturopathic manipulation of muscle, bone or the spine; hydrotherapy techniques; gentle electrical impulses, ultrasound, diathermy; and exercise therapy.
Prevention and Lifestyle Counseling
Naturopathic doctors address all aspects of a person’s life, identifying and addressing the impact that stress and life events have on a patient’s health and assisting patients to make effective lifestyle choices.
Some naturopathic doctors will have additional training in other natural therapies such as:
- Intravenous Therapies
- Chelation Therapy
- Minor Surgery
- Colon Therapy
11. What is the philosophy that governs naturopathic practice?
Regardless of which naturopathic doctor you see and their respective treatment style, all naturopaths are deeply committed to upholding our founding principles.
- First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Your naturopathic doctor chooses remedies and therapies that are safe and effective, to increase your health and decrease harmful side effects.
- The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Your naturopathic doctor works to restore and support the powerful and inherent healing abilities of your body, mind and spirit and to prevent further disease from occurring.
- Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
The primary goal of your naturopathic doctor is to determine and treat the underlying cause of disease.
- Treat the Whole Person
In treating the cause of any condition your naturopathic doctor takes into account not only your physical symptoms, but also mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual and other factors.
- Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Your naturopathic doctor will assist you in understanding health and illness and in becoming more capable of maintaining your own health.
- Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Your naturopathic doctor applies all of the above principles in a proactive form of disease prevention and health promotion.
In addition to these principles naturopaths typically follow a therapeutic order when treating patients.
Therapeutic order
- Re-establish the basis for health and remove obstacles to cure
- Stimulate the healing power of nature
- Tonify weakened systems
- Correct structural integrity
- Prescribe natural substances interventions
- Assess prescription medications
- Surgery, radiation, drugs
This guiding ideology results in a treatment plan that is comprehensive and individualized and best facilitates your journey towards health.
12. When can I expect to feel better?
The answer to that question is difficult in that it is determined largely by the patient’s participation in their own recovery and their commitment to their health. Generally speaking however, the longer you’ve been ill the more time is required to heal depending on the condition.
13. What would a treatment plan look like?
Of course treatment plans are individualized; however, there are some common elements. A treatment plan will touch on:
- Dietary recommendations
- Water intake
- Sleep habits
- Breathing
- Stress management
- Nutritional supplements to restore healthy levels of essential vitamins and minerals
- Botanical medicines to gently effect positive change within the body
- Traditional Chinese medicine to restore the flow and balance of Qi within the body
- Intravenous therapy for those cases where oral supplementation is not an option
- Hydrotherapy to manipulate circulation and improve blood flow
Any or all of these can be used to touch on various aspects of one’s health. Which ones are used will depend on the nature of the health concern and the patient’s level of involvement.
14. Where can I find out more?
There are literally thousands of websites available to those seeking information on naturopathic care. Here are a few to get you started:
- The British Columbia Naturopathic Association
- The Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors
- Townsend Letter, the Examiner of Alternative Medicine
- The Canadian health Network
- The Canadian Women’s Health Network
- The Herb Research Foundation
- The Ontario Herbalist Association
- The Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors
