Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine combines modern scientific knowledge and testing with well researched and time tested diet, lifestyle and natural medicines to treat the underlying cause of disease and support the body in optimal health.
Medically Trained Naturally Focused
What is Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic medicine blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional, and natural forms of medicine to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. In Naturopathic Medicine, symptoms are seen as warning signals that the body is not functioning properly. These may be due to suboptimal diet, detrimental lifestyle habits, nutrient deficiencies, environmental factors, unfavourable emotional states as well as physical problems. This allows Naturopathic Doctors to view disease as a process rather than an entity in order to find and treat the cause of the disease
Naturopathic Medicine can help:
- All health concerns
- All Ages
- All Genders
- Acute and Chronic conditions
- Physical, mental and emotional conditions
what are Naturopathic Doctors
Naturopathic doctors are primary healthcare providers regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act who use natural therapies to support and stimulate healing. In Ontario, Naturopathic Doctors are regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario, which ensures they have the knowledge, skills and judgment necessary to care for their patients safely and effectively. Naturopathic Doctors use comprehensive assessments to look at the whole person in order to diagnose patients and help bring them closer to optimal health. Not only do Naturopathic Doctors address current symptoms, they strive to prevent further illness and help patients live happy, energetic and satisfying lives. Whatever your health goals are, whether finding relief from a chronic condition, or simply improving your overall lifestyle and general health, there is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) in your community who can help.
Why Naturopathic Medicine
There is an increased demand for natural approaches to healthcare, preventative medicine and integrative patient care. Naturopathic Doctors are working in hospitals, multidisciplinary clinics and specialized health centers across Canada to help meet that demand for choice. Many people still do not know what Naturopathic Medicine can do for them. Common types of patients who seek Naturopathic Medicine include:
- Those looking for health promotion and disease prevention strategies.
- Patients that have a range of symptoms that they have been unable to address on their own or with the help of other medical practitioners.
- Patients that have been diagnosed with an illness and are looking for treatment options.
- Patients that are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments with the aim of minimizing side effects of drugs, surgery or conventional treatments.
Myth Vs Fact
What You Need To Know
MYTH 1: You have to choose between naturopathic and conventional medicine.
FACT: ND’s believe in the power of integrative medicine and studies show that utilizing both provides better patient outcomes. In fact there are now integrative clinics where naturopathic and conventional medicine practitioners work hand in hand to provide patients with the best care possible
MYTH 2: Naturopathic medicine is opposed to conventional treatments.
FACT: ND’s are trained in biomedical sciences, pharmaceuticals, vaccines and minor surgery. ND’s acknowledge the need for and life saving capabilities of these therapies, strive to support patient education with biomedical evidence, and in some provinces are able to prescribe pharmaceuticals and perform minor surgery.
MYTH 3: Naturopathic medicine does not fit into evidenced based medicine (EBM)
FACT: There are 3 components to EBM: scientific research, patient values & expectation, and clinical expertise. The first is addressed below. Naturopaths have the time to sit with patients and really learn about their values and what they hope to achieve allowing for highly individualized treatment plans. Clinical expertise is supported through the continuing education their regulatory college mandates.
MYTH 4: Naturopathic medicine is not scientific or evidence-based
FACT: A quick search in biomedical literature shows many clinical trials and scientific research showing the effectiveness of naturopathic interventions. Though there is less funding in much of this research, it is a growing field and funding is increasing. In order for a natural product to make any health claims when applying for an NPN, or Natural Product Number, there must be significant research to show the claim is substantiated.