FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- What conditions does Naturopathic Medicine treat?
- What kind of training and education do NDs receive?
- How much does Naturopathic Medicine cost? Is it covered by OHIP?
- What is the difference between someone trained as a naturopathic doctor versus a homeopath or other alternative medicine practitioners?
- Is Naturopathic medicine scientific?
- Is Naturopathic medicine safe?
- How often do I need to come for treatment?
- What can Naturopathic Medicine do for me?
What conditions does Naturopathic Medicine treat?
Naturopathic medicine can benefit people of all ages with a variety of chronic and acute conditions. We treat a variety of health concerns and cannot list them all, but the most common conditions seen at our clinic include:
Chronic Illnesses:
- Allergies & Environmental Sensitivities
- Anemia
- Arthritis
- Autoimmune Conditions like
- Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, etc.
- Constipation
- Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia
- Diabetes
- Digestive disorders like
- Reflux / Heartburn
- Excessive gas and bloating
- Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity
- Hemorrhoids
- High Blood Pressure (hypertension)
- High Cholesterol
- Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)
- Crohn’s Disease
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Interstitial Cystitis
- Migraines / Headaches
- Osteoporosis
- Sinusitis & Rhinitis
- Skin conditions such as
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Acne
- Stress
- Urinary Tract Infections
Women-Specific Conditions:
- Infertility
- Acupuncture to assist with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments
- Enhancing Health in Pregnancy
- Post-partum care for mother and baby
- Low Libido
- Menopausal Problems
- ie. Hot Flashes, Night Sweats
- PMS, Menstrual Disorders
- PCOS
- Yeast / Candida Infections
Men-Specific Conditions:
- Impotence
- Low Libido
- Infertility
- Prostate health
Other:
- Anxiety / Depression
- Mental or Emotional Stress
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Insomnia
- Pain management
- Musculoskeletal concerns
- E.g. low back pain, tendonitis, sciatica, frozen shoulder, nerve pain, plantar fasciitis, stiff neck, neck pains, muscle tension, muscle knots, etc
- Vertigo / Dizziness & Nausea
- Raynaud's & poor circulation
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Colds & Flus
- Stomach Virus / Flu
- Herpes outbreak (ie. genital or oral)
- Hepatitis
Preventive Care:
- Acupuncture works very well to relax & release tight muscles in your neck and back, which can be contributing to painful conditions. Muscle knots also can be easily removed using specific acupuncture techniques here at the clinic. Many of our patients find this more effective than deep tissue massage.
- Anti-aging - what you should be doing to slow down the aging process and facial rejuvenation (cosmetic) acupuncture to reduce signs of aging
- Optimizing your health & immune system
- Programs to address conditions that are prevalent in your family's medical history (ie. heart disease, osteoporosis, etc.)
- Post stroke and heart attack recovery
- Stress reduction - regular acupuncture sessions as well as other naturopathic treatments can help.
- Weight Loss - reduce your body fat percentage, increase your muscle mass, infuse more energy in your life and do this through a scientific program that won't leave you feeling hungy.
* We are covered by virtually all extended employer insurance plans. Naturopathic medicine &/or acupuncture coverage are usually listed under the heading "paramedical services". Patients not covered can claim a health care credit from their income taxes.
What kind of training and education do NDs receive?
Naturopathic doctors are required to complete a four year Honours Bachelor’s degree at a university before beginning an intensive four year post-graduate medical program. NDs are required to take the same scientific courses as medical doctors in fields such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, laboratory diagnosis, clinical and physical diagnosis, radiology, minor surgery, obstetrics, gynecology/women’s health, men’s health and pediatrics. In addition to this, NDs must be trained in these other disciplines: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, hydrotherapy, counselling, manipulation, homeopathy and traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
Students undergo a total of approximately 4,500 hours of academic and clinical training. Following this rigorous training, graduates obtain the title of “N.D.” or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Graduates must then pass rigorous international licensing and provincial board examinations to practice as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopathic doctors are a regulated profession in Ontario.
How much does Naturopathic Medicine cost? Is it covered by OHIP?
Treatments by a naturopathic doctor are not covered by OHIP, however virtually all extended health care plans (Third Party Insurance Plans) cover the cost of your visits. Please check with your insurance provider to find out whether your particular benefits package includes naturopathic medicine and the exact type of coverage provided. It is usually listed under the heading "Paramedical Services." If you are not covered, request that your policy be extended to include naturopathic care. Since Naturopathic Doctors use alternatives to costly drug therapies, more insurance companies are beginning to expand coverage to include this cost-effective medical treatment.
Your health is important. By investing in your health and by tackling problems as they arise, it will allow you to live a long, active and fulfulling lifestyle as you age. Invest in your health today and reap the benefits for years to come.
What is the difference between someone trained as a naturopathic doctor versus a homeopath or other alternative medicine practitioners?
Naturopathic Doctors (a.k.a. naturopaths) are educated in conventional medical sciences in addition to a range of natural therapeutics. Naturopathic Doctors complete a minimum of a four year pre-medical degree at university, followed by four years of intensive post-graduate medical training at an accredited naturopathic school. Naturopathic doctors are also provincially licensed and regulated. Graduates receive the title Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND).
Homeopaths, on the other hand, are not required to obtain an undergraduate degree prior to entering a homeopathy program, and they are not a regulated profession. Homeopaths and other practitioners of alternative medicine are trained in one discipline whereas Naturopathic Doctors are medically trained and licensed to use several modalities of treatment - these include homeopathy, as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture and herbs), clinical nutrition, botanical medicine (herbs), bodywork, manipulation, hydrotherapy, and diet & lifestyle counseling. Through their training in all of these disciplines, a Naturopathic Doctor can draw on all of these fields in providing a custom-tailored treatment plan for patients, maximizing the benefits you receive from your treatment.
5. Is Naturopathic medicine scientific?
Yes, Naturopathic Doctors are trained in current scientific medicine in addition to traditional medicine. The following are courses that Naturopathic Doctors take which are the same as those taken by medical doctors: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathology, microbiology, immunology, pharmacology, laboratory diagnosis, clinical and physical diagnosis, radiology, minor surgery, obstetrics, gynecology/women’s health, men’s health and pediatrics.
In addition to the scientific medicine training that Naturopathic Doctors receive, they learn extensively about traditional methods of healing from a scientific perspective. What’s old has become new again. More and more researchers are looking to traditional methods of healing to gain insight into modern day illnesses. Thousands of modern clinical studies have validated a variety of natural medicines and treatments which are now used by naturopathic doctors. Naturopathic schools encourage and facilitate research projects. International universities such as Harvard, Cornell and the University of Alberta are conducting scientific studies to help further validate natural treatments and therapies.
Is Naturopathic medicine safe?
The safety record of naturopathic medicine is excellent. This makes sense given the emphasis on non-toxic, natural source medicines and gentle, non-invasive treatments. Side effects are rare and naturopathic doctors are knowledgeable about interactions between naturopathic remedies and conventional medicines. Naturopathic treatments also work well in conjunction with conventional western treatments. In addition, NDs are trained to recognize conditions which are outside their scope of practice and to refer patients to other health practitioners when it is appropriate to do so.
How often do I need to come for treatment?
The goal of the naturopathic doctor is to understand the patient and all the factors which impact his/her health. A personal treatment plan is developed to facilitate the healing process. The individualized treatment plan is different for every patient. Please consult with your naturopathic doctor for more information as to what a personalized treatment plan for your specific health needs may entail. For further details, please see the New Patients section of this website.
What can Naturopathic Medicine do for me?
Patients of naturopathic medicine range in age from children to seniors and are treated for conditions ranging from the physical to psychological. Typically, patients choose to come to the clinic for one or more of the following reasons:
- They want to address their chronic health concerns and reach their peak health potential - naturopathic medicine is very effective at improving quality of life.
- They are seeking alternatives that may have fewer side effects than their current medication(s)
- They are looking to balance conventional medicine with alternative medicine
- They are looking for strategies to prevent disease and promote health
- They suffer from an undiagnosed illness that has caused a range of symptoms that they have been unable to address
