Naturopathic Doctors & Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of medicine that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine to support the healing power of the body. The objective is to provide comprehensive health care by treating the underlying cause of disease and not just attempt to eradicate each individual symptom as it occurs.
Naturopathic Doctors treat the whole person, with a focus on disease prevention and halting progression. We are trained in a range of modalites to effectively manage your health concerns. Naturopathic Doctors can work primary health care providers, in collaboration with your medical doctor or other members of your health care team, or can provide adjunctive support to current medical care.
We use objective lab tests and thorough health history to provide an overall assessment of your health and using an evidence-informed combination of Clinical Nutrition, Botanical (Plant) medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture and Homeopathy we create a comprehensive, individualized plan to achieve your health, wellness and performance goals.
At the Dundas University Health Clinic, our Naturopathic Doctors have also achieved the Standard for Therapeutic Prescribing and for Intravenous Infusion Therapy and are able to prescribe bioidentical hormones, desiccated thyroid hormone and provide nutrient infusions and injections.
Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario undergo a rigorous 4-year post-graduate program at an accredited institution and must successfully pass Board exams prior to receiving licensing. Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario are regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.
FAQ’s
Naturopathic Doctors are trained in the use of multiple modalities and combine them effectively to
- Clinical Nutrition- The use of foods and nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids to improve health, reduce inflammation, improve digestion and absorption and manage different conditions that are often related to some foods.
- Botanical Medicine- Medicinal plants, plant parts and plant extracts have been used historically to treat illness and disease and to promote health. Many plant extracts have undergone extensive research in order to better understand their healing properties and interactions with other substances. A number of modern drugs are based on plant compounds.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) & Acupuncture- TCM is a system of medicine that was developed in China thousands of years ago. It is based on the understanding that the Nature and all living things are governed by the flow of Qi (“Chee”) or Vital Force. Yin and Yang describe the two opposing but equal forces that are in constant motion and, when in balance- allow for health and wellness and the smooth flow of Qi. TCM takes a wholistic and dynamic approach to resolving pathologies causes by poor Qi flow. Acupuncture is the use of thin needles to manipulate the flow of Qi throughout the body by stimulating points found within the skin along specific channels called “Meridians” and is used to resolve many common health complaints such as headaches, menstrual irregularities and pain.
- Homeopathic Medicine (Homeopathy)- A system of medicine that uses the Law of Similars, described as “like cures like”. Remedies consist of dilutions of plants, mineral and animal substances whose physical characteristics are matched to the symptoms experienced by the patient. When applied correctly, it can help with symptom resolution and is a gentle way to promote health and healing.
- Lifestyle Counselling- This is the assessment of the physical, mental and emotional aspects of your health and the factors that are affecting them. In this, we look to identify the stressors and lifestyle habits that can be modified (i.e. workload, perspective, sleeping and eating habits, activity levels, etc.) and discuss lifestyle habits that are supportive of your health goals.
If you are interested in learning more about Naturopathic Medicine in relation to your health goals, you can book a 15-minute complimentary discovery call to meet our Naturopathic Doctors (ND) and see if their approach is right for you. The purpose of this visit is not to provide medical advice but to get a better understanding of your health concerns and to see if our ND’s approach will be a good fit for you.
In most cases, and with most complex health concerns, you will be working with your ND for an extended period of time and often in great detail, so this meeting gives us an opportunity to meet and discuss before a long-term investment of time and resources is made.
If you are interested in getting started right away, you can book your initial 60-minute appointment with our reception staff and they will set you up with an appointment (virtual or in-person) and send your our intake forms and consent to fill out and submit before your first appointment.
