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Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary care medicine that addresses the root cause of illness or disease and promotes health and healing using natural therapies. Treatment modalities may include clinical nutrition, botanical (herbal) medicine, homeopathic medicine, physical treatments, acupuncture and Asian medicine and lifestyle counseling.
The primary goal of naturopathic treatment is to address the cause of the illness rather than simply treating or suppressing symptoms. While naturopathic care helps to alleviate specific symptoms, NDs are primarily concerned with addressing the root cause of an illness: the focus is more on the why of a disease than the what. Read more here.
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Naturopathic doctors are highly educated primary care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of therapies that exclude prescription drugs and surgery. Read more here.
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A family medical doctor is strictly regulated by the OMA and the Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons. MDs practice allopathic medicine, which is symptom based. Mostly treatments prescribed by MDs involve prescription drugs (pharmaceuticals) and/or surgery. Associated drug therapy while sometimes effective at suppressing the symptoms of the condition, often don't address it's underlying cause and therefore may cause additional symptoms (side-effects) to appear. Side-effects are a common occurrence of the pharmaceutical approach to disease management.
A naturopathic doctor is regulated by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapists - Naturopathy (BDDTN). An ND uses the naturopathic model of medicine where the goal of treatment is to address the underlying cause of illness/condition and treat it at it's root level. Treatment protocols used by an ND are gentle, non-invasive, and lead to almost no (or minimal non-harmful) side-effects. Effective treatment is restorative and promotes the entire body's health. Often in treating one condition effectively other minor conditions are cleared up as well. Read more here.
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Your first visit to our clinic will be 1.5 hours long. A extensive patient history is taken to gather important information regarding your physical, mental, emotional health. A complaint-oriented physical exam is performed. Depending on your condition lab tests, including a food intolerance test may be required. Previous lab tests from other practitioners/doctors may be requested.
Upon your 2nd visit a detailed, personalized treatment plan will be outlined for you based on your current health complaints, and long-term health goals. Treatment is initiated and a follow-up visit(s) is scheduled. Read more here.
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We treat most women's health care issues as listed on the conditions page. If you have a condition that is not listed, please contact us for more information, we will be glad to discuss it with you. We often see uncommon conditions that are successfully treated. Read more here.
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That all depends on the diagnosis of your particular condition. For most routine cases a first visit is followed by a second visit in which a path of treatment is outlined. Follow-up visits are set up to monitor progress or administer treatment protocols such as acupuncture, as well as ensure that the treatment protocol is effective. Typically, the second visit is booked for 1-3 weeks after the first one. In many cases, two follow-up appointments are booked 4-6 weeks apart, and later maintenance visits are scheduled two time per year.
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Yes, we do treat children and infants. We have found children and infants are particularly receptive to homeopathy and nutritional protocols. Read more here.
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Definitely. Many patients who come to us are already on pharmaceutical medications. In certain cases we can help to elevate the dependence on these drug(s) and in other cases we conclude that it is better to work along with the drug protocol. A naturopathic doctor will never take a patient off of a medication prescribed by another physician. This decision must be made between the patient and the prescribing doctor.
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Treatment protocols are carefully put together so that there is no interference with your medication's effectiveness. Drug interactions with supplements and nutrients are carefully studied. Our aim is to support your overall health, and in many cases this means reducing or eliminating the need for a drug through improved overall health.
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That's fine, many people come to see a Naturopathic doctor with a clear diagnosis and are looking for alternative ways to treat their condition. We may request laboratory test results from your family doctor and re-evaluate your diagnosis. If we concur with your MD, we may offer drugless treatment alternatives. At times we may disagree with the MD's diagnosis and offer an alternative treatment protocol. We may also give insight to the various allopathic treatment protocols being prescribed by your MD and discuss their risks and benefits. Many of our patients come to us for second opinions and information to make choices regarding their particular condition.
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Yes, women's health. We feel that women's health is seriously compromised under the current OHIP based medical model. Our clinic is unique in that we are offer our services directly to women only (as well as children). Fertility and breast cancer recovery have been areas that we have had great success. See our conditions page for a list of conditions that are frequently treated. We also treat uncommon conditions not listed on that page. If you have a condition not listed, please call for information.
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Yes. With your consent, your medical records and laboratory tests may be requested during your visit to assist with diagnosis and treatment.
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Some of our laboratory tests are identical to the ones requisitioned by your MD. These include standard blood tests for cholesterol, blood sugar, iron levels and thyroid, to name a few. Other tests that we offer are very different. These include food sensitivity tests which look at IgG or delayed hypersensitivity reactions (commonly related to allergies, eczema, asthma and autoimmune disease), and salivary hormone tests which give a functional perspective on female hormone levels or adrenal hormones.
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Most definitely yes. We have a program specifically to address this which is called the "Breast Cancer Recovery Program" or BCRP. A program for women who have completed breast cancer treatment programs (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation), and wanted further treatment and support to reduce the risk of reoccurance. This is a great program for women who feel that they have been 'left hanging' by the system after intense treatment programs. Please go to our BCRP to read more about your options. Read more here.
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In most cases yes. Check with your health insurance company to make sure. If not, you may consider switching your insurance policy.
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Yes. Naturopathic doctors are the only regulated health professionals in the field of natural medicine in Ontario. Naturopathic doctors are regulated in Ontario under the 1925 Drugless Therapy Act and are registered (licensed) by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy-Naturopathy (BDDTN). The BDDTN functions to ensure that naturopathic doctors are properly qualified to practice naturopathic medicine and that they follow the appropriate standards of practice.
Naturopathic doctors are also regulated in Canada in the provinces of British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
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NDs obtain comprehensive and rigorous training in an educational structure similar to that of medical doctors. NDs require three years of pre-med post-secondary education, plus four years of full-time study at an approved college of naturopathic medicine.
The four year program incorporates over 4,500 hours of classroom training in basic medical science courses, clinical sciences and naturopathic therapies, as well as 1500 hours of supervised clinical experience.
Graduates from an accredited naturopathic college receive the designation Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND).
Following the completion of their program, NDs must successfully complete the Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) in order to qualify for licensing in Ontario. NPLEX is the standard examination used by all regulated provinces and states across North America.
NDs are also required to earn continuing education credits on an ongoing basis to maintain their registration and good standing with the regulatory body.
In Ontario The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM Web Site) is where Naturopathic Doctors are trained.
Read more here.
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