5 Important Questions to ask a Naturopathic Doctor

Question #1: Do I need other health care providers if I have a Medical Doctor?

Answer: 

Similar to a Medical Doctor’s training, a registered Naturopathic Doctor will have completed post-secondary studies for a minimum of 3 years at university in addition to a 4 year intensive naturopathic program at an accredited naturopathic college.  Naturopathic Doctors are required by law to pass rigorous board exams to be registered to practice in Ontario.  ND’s provide comprehensive, safe, effective and individualized health care by using natural substances and gentle, non-invasive treatments that stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.  Naturopathic medicine compliments your current conventional medical care.  ND’s will network with other health care providers to create comprehensive health care.

I encourage all of my clients to actively seek out a comprehensive health care team of knowledgeable, trustworthy health professionals that will work together to create a more holistic, and well-rounded health care system that supports and optimizes each person’s health potential.  I whole-heartedly believe it is crucial to draw on the strengths of various health professionals.  

Question #2: What health conditions can a Naturopathic Doctor treat?

Answer:

Virtually all chronic and most acute conditions may benefit from treatment by a Naturopathic Doctor.  Did you know that 85% of chronic disease is treatable with diet and lifestyle?  Clinical Nutrition and Lifestyle Coaching are two of the main therapies that Naturopathic Doctors have been extensively trained in to create a foundation for health.  People of all ages can be helped by naturopathic medicine, anywhere on the spectrum from infants to elderly.

Question #3: Is there value in seeing a Naturopathic Doctor even if I don’t have any physical symptoms?

Answer:

Many people believe that health is defined by the absence of disease or physical symptoms.  However, someone may be in a state of dis-ease without even showing outright pathology.  This is because there is a spectrum of events that occur within the body when someone goes from optimal health to presenting with a disease.  Dis-ease can range from subtle energetic imbalances, to adaptive physiology, to cellular changes, to organ pathology, which eventually can lead to organ failure in advanced cases of dis-ease.  On the other end of the spectrum, total wellness is a state that promotes optimal function, regeneration and repair of the body’s cells, tissues and organ systems all the time.  Health is a vibrant sense of well-being on all levels- physical, mental, emotional, social & spiritual well-being. 

Naturopaths view health not as a destination but rather a journey that requires continual maintenance and refocusing throughout one’s lifetime.  One of Naturopathic Doctors focus is on educating clients on the importance of disease prevention and health promotion.  A Naturopath will look at underlying susceptibilities that a person may have that increase their likelihood of developing specific types of diseases in the future, and will develop a maintenance plan for long term health promotion by supporting the appropriate body systems to help prevent the expression of those susceptibilities.  So even if you do not have a major health concern, it is important to remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

If you think of your body as being similar to a car, in that it requires general maintenance, tune-ups, fluid checks, oil filter changes, and so on to perform at optimal levels… just as our bodies need regular maintenance such as high quality whole foods and pure drinking water, periodic fine tuning to various body systems and seasonal detoxification to flush our bodies from harmful toxins that we are exposed to on a daily basis, so that we too can function at optimal levels.

I am dedicated to educating people on the realization that health requires continual maintenance throughout all stages of life, in order to achieve life-long wellness. 

Question #4: What should I expect if I were to go see a Naturopath?

Answer:

An initial consultation with a Naturopathic Doctor can range from one hour to one and a half hours, and follow-up appointments can range from 20 to 60 minutes to provide continued assessment of progress and professional guidance.  Subsequent visits are often scheduled monthly or quarterly depending on the individualized wellness program that has been agreed upon.  As a trained and experienced naturopathic doctor, I recognize the importance of taking in-depth patient histories to understand all the factors which impact an individual’s health whether it be mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, social or environmental.  I also utilize a comprehensive combination of diagnostic and assessment tools, including physical exams and lab tests, in order to detect a variety of deficiencies and/or pathologies.  I offer customized treatment plans for each client according to their individual needs, by utilizing a unique combination of therapies, including clinical nutrition, homeopathy, botanical medicine, oriental medicine, acupuncture, physical therapies, and lifestyle counselling. My primary goals are to work towards addressing the cause of a person’s illness, rather than solely focusing on treating or suppressing symptoms.  I strive to inspire individuals on the remarkable ability of the body to heal itself and restore balance, while continuing to motivate them towards optimal wellness.  

Question #5: Can I afford to see a Naturopathic Doctor?

Answer: 

Naturopathic medicine is covered by many private insurance companies under the extended health care plan, so it would be in your best interest to check your individual policy for coverage that you may not know that you already have. 

Do you believe that your health is one of your most valuable investments?  Take the first step today to create the foundation for a healthier future by booking an appointment to discover a wellness program that is personally tailored to you.