Treatment with Naturopathic Medicine

What is Naturophatic Medicine? 

Naturopathic Doctors are highly educated primary and adjunctive care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies.

The primary goal of naturopathic medicine is to address the cause of a patient’s illness, rather than treating or suppressing symptoms, with Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) devoting the time necessary to understand each individual patient. NDs are trained and regulated as primary care providers and are able to provide diagnosis and treatment for many diseases. They also provide care that complements treatments received from other health care professions, and are highly trained to refer and consult as necessary. They are able to employ a wide range of therapies to create a preventive, restorative, and individualized approach to health care.

The main tenet of Naturopathic Medicine is the “vis Medicatrix Naturae” – a latin phrase which translates to the “healing power of nature.”  This not only means that Naturopathic Doctors use natural substances as therapies (which we do), but it also means that ND’s recognize that the body has a unique ability to heal itself.  Many of the treatments used in Naturopathic Medicine are intended to support and stimulate the body to heal itself.

 Treatments Used 

A Naturopathic Doctor has many tools (or “modalities”) with which to use when designing an individualized treatment plan.  These include:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
• Botanical/Herbal Medicine
• Homeopathic Medicine
• Nutrition and Dietary Counselling
• Lifestyle Counselling
• Physical Medicine (hydrotherapy, soft tissue manipulation, etc.)

Conditions Treated

Naturopathic Medicine can benefit ANY condition.  Conditions often treated by ND’s include (but are not limited to) the following:

-          Weight Management

-          Headaches / Migraines

-          Allergies / Asthma

-          Heart Disease (high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, angina)

-          Women’s Health (fertility, menopause, menstrual irregularities, PMS, endometriosis, fibroids, breast diseases)

-          Bone and Joint Disorders (arthritis, osteoporosis)

-          Digestive Complaints (acid reflux, IBS, Crohn’s, colitis, ulcers, constipation)

-          Pain Management

-          Skin Disorders (eczema, psoriasis, acne, rashes)

-          Immune Issues (common colds & flu, chronic infections, autoimmune diseases)

-          Mental Health Issues (stress management, anxiety, depression, addiction)

-          Pregnancy (pre-conception counselling, pre- and post-natal care)

Training & Licensing   

Naturopathic training closely parallels medical training, including three years of undergraduate pre-medical sciences, and a four year full-time medical program which includes a one year internship. NDs must pass regulatory board exams, which includes NPLEX, the standard examination across North America, as well as the Ontario board exam.

NDs in Ontario are licensed through the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy, and regulated in Ontario under the Drugless Practitioner's Act. 

Naturopathic Doctors are not covered by OHIP, however, these services are covered by most extended health insurance plans. 

For more information about Naturopathic Medicine and Naturopathic services offered at this clinic, please visit our Naturopathic Doctor's website: www.danforthnaturopath.com