FAQ

What is naturopathic medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a holistic approach to health care.  It is the art and science of disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention using gentle techniques and natural therapies.

Doctors of Naturopathic medicine are specialist of preventative healthcare and natural medicine; they combine scientific knowledge with traditional healing.  They focus on treating the whole person and support the healing power of nature.

What is the difference between a naturopathic doctor, a homeopath and a medical doctor?
Naturopathic doctors are primary healthcare practitioners like a medical doctor. They provide a full physical, they can take blood and diagnose disease. The difference is that Naturopathic doctors use different techniques to treat the patient. Some of the modalities they use are clinical nutrition, lifestyle counselling, massage, acupuncture, botanical medicine, homeopathy, and physical medicine. The focus is on treating the whole person, this is done by identifying and removing the obstacles to health, teaching people how to stay healthy and facilitating the bodies ability to heal itself using a wide range of natural therapies.

Homeopathic doctors are specialist in homeopathy. Homeopathy is one of the many different modalities a Naturopathic doctor will use. This is a powerful energetic form of medicine that stimulates the body's vital force in order to facilitate health.

Medical doctors are specialist in disease diagnosis. They focus on treating the symptoms of disease. A Medical doctor primarily uses pharmaceuticals and surgery as their main tools to treat their patients.

What can I expect from a naturopathic visit?
Naturopathic medicine is about becoming an active participant in your own health.  Be prepared for an in-depth discussion of all aspects of your medical history and current conditions, as well as discussion of all other factors that affect your health. Topics that are covered are sleep, energy, diet, stress, digestion, relationships, etc. In addition there is a physical exam and possible lab test.

A naturopath will take time to assess your personal case and on the second visit offer you a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to get to the underlying cause of any health concerns.

The first visit is usually 90 minutes after which the naturopath will put together a protocol based on your individual case. The second visit is often at least 45 minutes, the naturopath will review your forms and discuss what you need to do, and what you feel you can do.

Subsequent visits depend on what you need and what sort of protocol you are following.

What is Holistic Nutrition?
Holistic Nutrition looks at the total person, their dietary intake including supplements and lifestyle. This co-operative action of the food we eat, water we drink, and the way we live our lives determine the over all health of our bodies that is made up of many cells, glands and organs. Nutrition is the process of assimilating food for the growth and repair of worn tissue. It is also the science and study of proper balance with in the diet to promote health. Through this use of diet as a therapy whole foods and natural supplements are utilized in the maintenance of health. The focus is on prevention and the use of non-toxic, natural therapies. The goal is to first do no harm, then with the use of natures healing power address the needs of the whole person. With the understanding that prevention is the best way to maintain health and wellness.