FAQs
A person of any age, with virtually any chronic or acute condition may benefit from naturopathic care.
Some commonly treated conditions include:
- Skin conditions, including acne and eczema
- Digestive disorders such as ‘indigestion’, constipation, heartburn, ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Depression & anxiety
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease, arteriosclerosis
- Ear, nose/sinus, & throat infections
- Respiratory disorders such as asthma and bronchitis
- Allergies
- Arthritic conditions
- Cancer and associated side-effects of treatment
- Hormonal imbalance, including; menstrual and pre-menstrual (PMS), peri-menopausal, menopausal, and post-menopausal conditions
- Fertility and reproductive concerns
- Chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Pediatric concerns
Please bear in mind, that because naturopathic medicine is preventative in nature, you do not have to be sick to see a naturopathic doctor. There are many dietary and lifestyle changes we can help you adopt to improve your overall health and prevent serious illness.
While naturopathic medicine is not covered by OHIP, it is covered by many extended healthcare benefit packages. We encourage you to request that your policy include coverage of all naturopathic services.
Admission to an accredited naturopathic medical institution requires a minimum of three years of undergraduate study at a recognized university. This undergraduate programme must include certain science courses such as, biochemistry, physics, biology, and psychology. Once accepted into the post-graduate naturopathic programme, the curriculum involves an intensive four-year study of clinical sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology) and treatment methodology. The programme also requires 1500 hours of direct patient contact under the guidance of a licensed naturopathic doctor. Naturopathic students must pass two sets of standardized board examinations before they may legally use the title of Naturopathic Doctor in regulated states and provinces. In Canada, naturopathic doctors are regulated in Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan with legislation pending in Alberta and Nova Scotia.
Naturopathic Doctors have similar training in medical and clinical sciences (i.e. biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, differential diagnosis, etc.) though in addition, they have extensive training in a full spectrum of natural medicines and therapies with emphasis on diet and nutrition. NDs utilize the most natural, least invasive, and least toxic therapies as first-line treatment. Preventive medicine is of the utmost importance in their treatment philosophy. NDs spend more time with their patients to find the underlying causes of illness and to determine an integrative treatment plan. Blood chemistry and other diagnostic tools and tests are also utilized.
A naturopath is essentially a general practitioner of natural or alternative medicine. We learn to use a wide variety of treatment modalities, including; nutrition, botanicals, homeopathy, counselling, Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture, where as a homeopath will only use homeopathy to treat their patients. Furthermore, naturopaths are legally permitted to diagnose conditions, whereas a homeopath cannot.
