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Medicine is a comprehensive and holistic approach to improving
health, and treating illness in patients of all ages. It is the art
and science of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention using
natural therapies and substances. Naturopathic treatments can be
used effectively on their own or complement conventional medical
treatments. A Naturopathic Doctor blends modern clinical sciences with
traditional healing practices.
 The Modalities used by a Naturopathic Doctor include...
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Clinical Nutrition - the use of foods, special diets and
nutraceutical supplements to fortify a patients dietary intake.
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Botanical Medicine - the use of plants and their
constituents as medicine. Naturopathic Doctors use herbs from
around the world in the form of capsules, teas, tinctures, foods
and salves.
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Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine - The
insertion of sterile needles along meridian points to stimulate
the bodies own healing energy (Qi). Chinese herbal patents, food
choices and lifestyle factors are also employed to achieve
balance.
- Homeopathy - Based on the principle of like cures like,
minute quantities of animal, vegetable or mineral are given to
strengthen vitality and heal body, mind and spirit.
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Lifestyle Counseling - Examining ones life to find ways
to alleviate stress and burden, to actively seek harmony at work,
at home and at leisure.
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Physical Medicine - includes soft tissue massage, spinal
manipulation and hydrotherapy.
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The Principals of Naturopathic Medicine are...
- First do no harm - a ND uses natural substances and gentle practices
with few side effects. We are also educated in the fields of
pharmacology to minimize the potential interactions between
conventional and alternative medicines.
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To cooperate with the healing powers of nature - We cannot have
healthy people on a sick planet, so we must take care of our
environment and use the gifts of the earth in a respectful manner.
- To address the fundamental cause of disease - Rather than focusing
on symptom reduction we aim to discover and treat the root cause of
the presenting ailment.
- To heal the whole person through individualized treatment - We do not
treat body parts in isolation of the whole person, we take into
account the physical, psychological and spiritual health of each
patient, and treat each with a unique combination of our modalities.
- To teach the principals of healthy living and preventative
medicine - A ND emphasizes patient education with the intention of
empowering individuals towards self responsibility and control over
their own health care decisions. We are also eager to share our knowledge and expertise, whether it be
in a clinical setting where we educate our patients about treatment
and prevention, or to small groups within our communities, or at
professional conferences.
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 The aim of the Naturopathic Doctor
(ND) is... to support and
stimulate the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Naturopathic
doctors treat many conditions from acute infections, such as the
common colds and flu, to the management of chronic diseases such as
diabetes or congestive heart failure. We see patients throughout
their life cycle, from babies a few days old to those in their
nineties and older. |
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Training
Training to become an ND includes the prerequisite three years of university premedical sciences courses. The four year full time
ND
program at an accredited college (see Links) includes the human
medical sciences, physical and clinical diagnosis, naturopathic
modalities and a twelve month supervised clinical internship. North
American Naturopathic licensing examinations must be passed after
the 2nd and 4th year of study, and upon graduation Continuing
Medical Education (CME) requirements must be met on an annual
basis. |
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