About Naturopathic Medicine

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is a sensible and comprehensive approach to health care. I was drawn to it because it combines the best of modern medical knowledge with the whole-person approach common to older healing traditions. A Naturopathic Doctor’s (ND’s) goal is to find and treat the underlying cause(s) of your health concerns, rather than treating symptoms alone. My job is not only to help you feel better – but to do so in a way that’s in agreement with how you’re made.

ND’s follow some key principles in their approach to helping you improve your health:

First, do no harm – use safe and effective health care techniques with the least risk for all patients
Treat the cause – identify and treat underlying causes of illness, avoid suppression of symptoms
Treat the whole person – recognize each human being as an integration of mind, body, and spirit
Doctor as teacher – educate patients on their health, inspire rational hope, and encourage self-care
Nature knows best – cooperate with nature to promote an individual’s own healing capacity
Prevention is the best medicine – prevent illness by encouraging individual and community health

As outlined below, Naturopathic Doctors (ND’s) are trained to diagnose and treat the full range of chronic and acute health conditions.

How are Naturopathic Doctors trained?

Naturopathic doctors take at least seven years of post-secondary education: three years pre-medical university studies, followed by four years at a recognized college of naturopathic medicine. This post-graduate work includes the following medical science courses:

anatomy
physiology
biochemistry
pathology
microbiology
immunology
pharmacology
laboratory diagnosis
clinical and physical diagnosis
radiology
minor surgery
obstetrics
gynecology/ women’s health
pediatrics
other clinical sciences

In addition, ND’s take multiple courses in six principle treatment modalities:

clinical nutrition
botanical medicine
homeopathy
acupuncture/traditional oriental medicine
naturopathic hydrotherapy/physical medicine
lifestyle counseling

Training includes 1,500 hours of supervised clinical experience and 3,000 hours of academic education.

Graduates receive the title “N.D.” or Doctor of Naturopathic, and must pass rigorous international licensing examinations to be eligible to practice as a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. To find out if your naturopath is properly licensed in Ontario, visit The Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy. Continuing education credits are required throughout an ND’s career to maintain professional standing.

What treatments do ND’s use?

Naturopaths use a broad range of therapies, including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, traditional oriental medicine/acupuncture, naturopathic physical medicine, and lifestyle counseling. You can learn more about the services offered at Belmont Natural Health Centre here.

What types of health concerns can be treated?

By providing a unique and comprehensive perspective on your health, naturopathic medicine offers effective treatments for a full range of health concerns including:

Acute Conditions

Colds and Flu
Ear and Throat Infections
Headaches
Intestinal Upset
Chest Infections
Bladder Infections

Female Health Issues

Menopausal Problems
PMS, Menstrual Disorders
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Enhancing Health in Pregnancy
Infertility
Endometrioses, Uterine Fibroids

Chronic Illnesses

Food & Environmental Allergies
Arthritis
Asthma
High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol
Heart Problems
Digestive Disorders, Constipation, IBS
Eczema, Psoriasis, Acne
Multiple Sensitivities
Cystitis, Prostatitis
Insomnia
Mental or Emotional Stress
Anxiety, Depression

Naturopathic medicine also enhances the care provided by other health professionals, providing a valuable link in an integrated approach to optimal health in chronic conditions such as those listed below:

Diabetes
Cancer
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Autoimmune Disease
MS
Weight management
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Autistic Spectrum Disorders

It is also common for someone to seek help for a concern without a specific diagnosis – “I don’t feel well, but my doctor says all the tests are normal…”. These are often my favourite cases!

Is Naturopathy scientific?

There is an enormous body of evidence supporting naturopathic medicine, and it’s quickly becoming a common, mainstream health care choice. You’ll be surprised to discover just how practical and scientific our work at the clinic is. We rely a great deal on lab testing and logical clinical assessment. The main differences are our desire to get to the root of what’s causing your health concerns, and to do so from a whole-person perspective – please see What is Naturopathic Medicine? above.

Is Naturopathic Medicine safe?

The safety record for naturopathic medicine is excellent. This makes sense given the emphasis on natural, non-toxic medicines and gentle, non-invasive treatments. Naturopathic doctors are knowledgeable about interactions between naturopathic treatments and conventional medicines. We are also trained to recognize conditions which are outside our scope of practice, and to refer to other health practitioners when appropriate.

What’s the difference between naturopathy and homeopathy?

There are two significant differences. First of all homeopaths are trained specifically to use homeopathy as a treatment tool, whereas naturopathic doctors use homeopathy as one of several treatment tools. [link to What treatments do ND’s use?]

The second major difference is that homeopaths are not regulated or licensed in the province of Ontario, therefore anyone can call themselves a homeopath regardless of training. Naturopathic doctors must complete and maintain their training and license as outlined above in How are Naturopathic Doctors Trained?

What’s the difference between a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (ND) and a Doctor of Natural Medicine?

Unlike an ND, a Doctor of Natural Medicine (DNM) is not regulated and licensed in Ontario.

Anyone, regardless of training and education, can call themselves a Doctor of Natural Medicine in this province. There is no independent regulatory body that ensures that these individuals have appropriate training, or that standards of practice are being maintained. If a client has any concerns their only recourse is a court of law. Most health insurance companies only cover practitioners that are licensed.

The regulatory board for Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario is the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy (BDDT-N). This board is a government-appointed board that is independent of any of the naturopathic associations and its job is to protect the rights of the public and to ensure a standard of patient care.

How do I know if I’m seeing a licensed naturopath?

The Board of Directors or Drugless Therapy maintains an up-to-date list of registered naturopaths in the province of Ontario at: http://www.boardofnaturopathicmedicine.on.ca/doctors_list.html

Can I see a naturopath and my family doctor at the same time?

Absolutely! Naturopaths are well trained in understanding interactions between natural treatments and conventional prescriptions. It is often a patient’s goal to reduce the need for prescription medications or avoid invasive procedures, and we can achieve this through cooperation with your other healthcare providers.

Even in cases that clearly call for conventional medical intervention, such as surgery, your naturopath can help before and after your procedure to help accelerate your recovery. Also see What types of health concerns can be treated?.