About Naturopathic Medicine
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic Medicine is a healthcare profession that emphasizes prevention, treatment and optimal health through the use of therapeutic methods that support or enhance the body’s own inherent healing ability. It is a comprehensive and patient-centered approach to improving health and treating illness in patients of all ages. Naturopathic treatments can be used on their own or as a complement to conventional medical treatments.
The focus of Naturopathic care is the individual, their current health, family history, as well as lifestyle choices and environmental influences, all of which inform the Naturopathic assessment, diagnosis and treatment plan offered by a Naturopathic Doctor.
The practice of Naturopathic Medicine is based on the following principles:
First, Do No Harm: Your Naturopathic Doctor chooses therapies that are safe and effective, to increase your health and decrease harmful side effects.
The Healing Power of Nature: Your Naturopathic Doctor works to restore and support the powerful and inherent healing abilities of your body to prevent further disease from occurring.
Identify and Treat the Cause: The primary goal of your Naturopathic Doctor is to determine and treat the underlying cause of disease.
Doctor as Teacher: Your Naturopathic Doctor will assist you in understanding health and illness and in becoming more capable of maintaining your own health.
Treat the Whole Person: Naturopathic Medicine recognizes and addresses the fact that the whole body and the environment we live in are interrelated. Furthermore, it recognizes that each person is unique and requires individualized care. In treating the cause of any condition your Naturopathic Doctor takes into account not only your physical symptoms, but also mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual and other factors. Disease affects the entire person, not just a specific organ or system. Your nutritional status, lifestyle, family history, feelings, environmental stresses, and physical health are all carefully evaluated and addressed.
Prevention: Prevention is the best medicine. Naturopathic Doctors apply all of the above principles in a proactive form of disease prevention and health promotion.
What to Expect
Naturopathic Doctors are trained in several natural treatment methods which they utilize to assist their patients.
After an in-depth health assessment lasting an hour or more, your Naturopathic Doctor will design a treatment plan individualized to you and your specific health concerns. Your ND may also suggest further testing.
Your Naturopathic Doctor may treat you with a combination of treatment modalities in order to most effectively optimize your health.
Health Insurance Coverage
Most extended health insurance plans in Canada cover
Naturopathic Medicine.
Insured patients are encouraged to contact their employer or individual insurance companies to determine if they are covered and/or to request that their policy be extended to include Naturopathic services if it does not already do so.