Naturopathic Medicine

 

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of primary health care that addresses the root cause of illness and promotes health and healing using natural therapies. It supports the body’s own healing ability using an integrated approach to disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention.

Naturopathic Medicine can help to manage a variety of health concerns – from geriatric to pediatric, from the acute to chronic illness, from the physical to the psychological. Examples of these conditions include, but are not limited to:

 

Cardiovascular Disease

  • High Blood Pressure

  • High Cholesterol

Mood Disorders & Mental Health

  • Stress

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • Postpartum Anxiety

  • Postpartum Depression

  • ADHD

Endocrine Dysfunction

  • Diabetes

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Hyperthyroidism

Skin Conditions

  • Acne

  • Eczema

  • Psoriasis

  • Rosacea

  • Fungal Infections

  • Athlete’s Foot

Musculoskeletal Conditions

  • Nerve damage & neuropathy

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • IT band syndrome

  • Arthritis

  • Muscle tension

  • Sports Injuries

  • Generalized Pain

 

Respiratory Health

  • Asthma

  • Sinusitis

  • Bronchitis

  • Common colds & flus

Endocrine Dysfunction

  • Diabetes

  • Hypothyroidism

  • Hyperthyroidism

Women’s Health

  • Fertility & Pregnancy

  • Menstrual Issues

  • PMS

  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

  • Endometriosis

  • Menopause

  • Cervical Dysplasia

Immunological Conditions

  • Poor Immune Function

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

  • Autoimmune Diseases

  • Allergies/Food Sensitivities

General

  • Fatigue & Malaise

  • Insomnia

  • Migraines

  • Brain fog

  • Anti-aging

  • Detoxification

  • Weight loss

Digestive Health

  • Constipation

  • Diarrhea

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

  • Crohn’s Disease

  • Ulcerative Colitis

  • Heartburn / Acid Reflux (GERD)

  • Indigestion

  • Bloating

 

What does a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) do?

Naturopathic Doctors are highly educated primary care providers recognized under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA). They integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies. They practice six fundamental principles of naturopathic medicine, including: The Healing Power of Nature (Trust in the body’s inherent wisdom to heal itself), Identify and Treat the Causes (Look beyond the symptoms to the underlying cause), First Do No Harm (Use the most natural, least invasive & safest therapies), Doctor as Teacher (Educate patients in the steps to achieving and maintaining health), Treat the Whole Person (View the body as an integrated whole in all its physical and spiritual dimensions), and Prevention (Focus on overall health, wellness and disease prevention).

 

Scope of Practice

Naturopathic medicine can offer support for all forms of health concerns – from pediatric to geriatric, from irritating systems to chronic illness and from the physical to the psychological. Natural therapies are very effective in improving quality of life for those with serious and life threatening illnesses, in addition to catering to 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. Naturopathic Doctors also focus in disease prevention and implementing health promotion strategies to offer safe and effective ways of restoring health. Treatment is based on the individual patient – their physiological, structural, psychological, social, spiritual, environment and lifestyle factors.

The scope of practice of NDs in Ontario includes: “the assessment of diseases, disorders and dysfunctions and the naturopathic diagnosis and treatment of diseases, disorders and dysfunctions using naturopathic techniques to promote, maintain or restore health” (Naturopathy Act, 2007). NDs who have also met the Standard of Practice for Prescribing as per the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) have access to prescribing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), desiccated thyroid hormone, and performing B12 injections.

Education & Preparation:

Registered Naturopathic Doctors require a minimum of 8 years post-graduate education. This is composed of 4 years of pre-medical study at a university, followed by entrance into a 4-year, full-time program at an accredited CNME Naturopathic Medical School. The program includes more than 1,200 hours of clinical experience and involves more than 3,000 hours of classroom training.

The three major areas of study in the program are:

  • Biomedical Sciences: Anatomy, physiology, pathology, biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology

  • Naturopathic Sciences: Clinical Nutrition, Botanical Medicine, Asian Medicine, Homeopathy, Physical Medicine, Lifestyle
    Counseling

  • Clinical Education: Differential Diagnosis, Lab Diagnosis, Integrated Clinical Studies, Parenteral therapy, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Primary Care, Men’s & Women’s Health

Registration:

NDs are regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO) and have successfully completed three rigorous standardized board examinations. In order to be an active member in good standing with CONO, a Naturopathic Doctor must have malpractice insurance, maintain current  CPR-HCP, and complete a number of continuing education hours to keep up with medical and naturopathic advancements.

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