Naturopathic Medicine - FAQs
1. What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine supports the body in its amazing ability to heal itself. By looking at the root causes of illness rather than just the symptoms, and promoting healing through natural therapies, naturopathic medicine is a successful non-invasive way to prevent chronic illness.
From diet and exercise, to understanding your body’s unique chemistry, naturopathic medicine aims you to boost your immune system, prevent and treat chronic disease and increase your overall energy level.
Naturopathic treatment uses different treatment modalities and they are indicated uniquely to the. Treatments may include clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, physical treatments, acupuncture and Asian medicine, lifestyle counseling, or a combination of these.
2. What can I expect from my first visit?
During the first visit, your ND wants to get to know you as a person, what your health goals are and how you have managed your health in the past. Expect to be there for an hour. As well as performing a physical exam based on your health complaints, your ND will also ask you about your mental, emotional and spiritual health, your diet and lifestyle, and treatments you may be receiving from other health care providers. By the end of the visit, your ND will present an individualized treatment plan and may suggest further testing.
3. Are consults cover by OHIP?
Currently, OHIP does not cover Naturopathic visits. However, most extended healthcare plans include naturopathic medicine, so check with your provider to see the amount of your coverage.
4. What conditions can Naturopathic Doctors treat?
Naturopathic medicine treats all forms of health concerns — from pediatric to geriatric, from irritating systems to chronic illness and from the physical to the psychological. Naturopathic medicine is beneficial for:
Patients with acute or chronic conditions
Patients that are looking for disease prevention and health promotion strategies.
Patients that are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments with the aim of minimizing side effects of drugs, surgery or conventional treatments.
Naturopathic medicine is very effective for improving quality of life for those with serious and life threatening illnesses.
5. What Modalitities does Naturopathic Medicine use?
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 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, Oriental 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 Counselling 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
6. Are naturopathic doctors regulated in Ontario?
Yes. Naturopathic doctors are regulated in Ontario under the 1
925 Drugless Therapy Act and are registered (licensed) by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy-Naturopathy (BDDT-N). The BDDT-N’s mandate is to ensure that naturopathic doctors are properly qualified to practice naturopathic medicine and that they follow the appropriate standards of practice.
