Frequently Asked Questions...
What is naturopathic medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. It is based on its founding principles and philosophy, central to which is the belief that the body has the ability to heal itself and our role is simply to stimulate and support that process. Naturopathic medicine is the art and science of diagnosis, treatment and prevention using natural therapies including: botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation, traditional Chinese medicine / acupuncture, and prevention and lifestyle counseling. As such, naturopathic doctors are often considered the "general practitioners" of complimentary therapies.
What conditions does naturopathic medicine treat?
Naturopathic medicine treats all forms of health concerns -- from pediatric to geriatric, from acute to chronic, and from the physical to the psychological. In particular, naturopathic medicine is beneficial for the following types of patients:
- Patients that are looking for disease prevention and health promotion 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, often serious or chronic and are looking for alternative treatments. Naturopathic medicine is very effective for improving quality of life for those with serious and life threatening illnesses.
- Patients that are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments with the aim of minimizing side effects of drugs, surgery or conventional treatments.
What kinds of therapies do naturopathic doctors offer?
Naturopathic doctors use a variety of non-toxic, non-pharmaceutical treatments. All licensed naturopathic doctors in Canada are trained in the following natural therapies:
Clinical Nutrition examines the relationship between diet and health. Special diets, food elimination, variations in dietary habits or the use of nutritional supplements may be recommended.
Botanical Medicine (Herbalism) is the use of plants for healing dates back to the beginning of civilization and is the foundation of modern pharmacology. The use of herbs in many forms (teas, tinctures or capsules, etc.) are used for their healing effects and nutritional value may be recommended for healing effect.
Homeopathic Medicine Homeopathic remedies are minute dilutions of plant, animal and mineral substances designed to stimulate the body's "vital force" and strengthen its innate ability to heal.
Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture is based on balancing the flow of Chi (energy) through meridian pathways under the skin. TCM includes the use of Asian botanicals and acupuncture to regulate and release Chi in order to bring the body into balance.
Physical Medicine includes soft tissue work (including therapeutic massage); naturopathic manipulation of muscle, bone or the spine; hydrotherapy techniques; gentle electrical impulses, ultrasound, diathermy; and exercise therapy.
Prevention and Lifestyle Counselling Naturopathic doctors address all aspects of a person's life, identifying and addressing the impact that stress and life events have on a patient's health and assisting patients to make effective lifestyle choices.
Some naturopathic doctors will have additional training in other natural therapies such as: IV therapies, chelation therapy, minor surgery, colon therapy, etc.
Clinical Nutrition examines the relationship between diet and health. Special diets, food elimination, variations in dietary habits or the use of nutritional supplements may be recommended.
Botanical Medicine (Herbalism) is the use of plants for healing dates back to the beginning of civilization and is the foundation of modern pharmacology. The use of herbs in many forms (teas, tinctures or capsules, etc.) are used for their healing effects and nutritional value may be recommended for healing effect.
Homeopathic Medicine Homeopathic remedies are minute dilutions of plant, animal and mineral substances designed to stimulate the body's "vital force" and strengthen its innate ability to heal.
Traditional Chinese Medicine / Acupuncture is based on balancing the flow of Chi (energy) through meridian pathways under the skin. TCM includes the use of Asian botanicals and acupuncture to regulate and release Chi in order to bring the body into balance.
Physical Medicine includes soft tissue work (including therapeutic massage); naturopathic manipulation of muscle, bone or the spine; hydrotherapy techniques; gentle electrical impulses, ultrasound, diathermy; and exercise therapy.
Prevention and Lifestyle Counselling Naturopathic doctors address all aspects of a person's life, identifying and addressing the impact that stress and life events have on a patient's health and assisting patients to make effective lifestyle choices.
Some naturopathic doctors will have additional training in other natural therapies such as: IV therapies, chelation therapy, minor surgery, colon therapy, etc.
Is it safe?
Naturopathic doctors assist the body's healing by using safe, effective non-pharmaceutical approaches with patients. The risks involved with most naturopathic therapies are minimal and will always be discussed with you. Patients are involved in their treatment programs and learn to make effective, educated self-care decisions, which can prevent future health problems. Rest assured, that the extensive training licensed ND's receive ensures you are being treated by competent doctors who understand the risks and outcomes of their therapies.
Is naturopathic medicine evidence-based?
Naturopathic diagnosis and therapeutics are supported by scientific research drawn from peer-reviewed journals from many disciplines. Information technology and new concepts in clinical outcomes and assessment are particularly well-suited to evaluating the effectiveness of naturopathic treatment protocols and are being used in research, both at naturopathic medical schools and in the offices of practicing naturopathic physicians. Clinical research into natural therapies is growing substantially and has become an important focus for the industry as demand for our services (and subsequent research funding) has increased.
How do ND's compare to conventional medical doctors?
Both are doctors, both provide primary care and both are similarly trained. The primary differences between naturopathic and conventional medicine are:
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) treat patients as individuals by addressing the physical, environmental, lifestyle, attitudinal, and emotional aspects of health. This allows Naturopathic doctors to find and treat the cause of the disease using natural, non-invasive therapies. Medical doctors generally address and treat the diseases using pharmaceutical therapies or surgery. Each system with their own strengths and weaknesses, both approaches are required in a complete healthcare team.
Naturopathic doctors can and do work in co-operation with conventional medical doctors towards the goal of providing you with the best care. NDs are trained to co-manage and to refer patients to other health care practitioners, where appropriate. Most naturopathic doctors cross-refer extensively to other health care practitioners so that you can benefit from many areas of expertise.
- The philosophical approach, and
- The therapies used
Naturopathic doctors (NDs) treat patients as individuals by addressing the physical, environmental, lifestyle, attitudinal, and emotional aspects of health. This allows Naturopathic doctors to find and treat the cause of the disease using natural, non-invasive therapies. Medical doctors generally address and treat the diseases using pharmaceutical therapies or surgery. Each system with their own strengths and weaknesses, both approaches are required in a complete healthcare team.
Naturopathic doctors can and do work in co-operation with conventional medical doctors towards the goal of providing you with the best care. NDs are trained to co-manage and to refer patients to other health care practitioners, where appropriate. Most naturopathic doctors cross-refer extensively to other health care practitioners so that you can benefit from many areas of expertise.
Do I need a referral?
No, you do not require a referral to see a naturopathic doctor.
Will my insurance cover naturopathic treatment?
Most extended health insurance plans in both Canada and the United States cover naturopathic treatments. Insured patients are encouraged to contact their employer or individual insurance brokers to determine if they are covered and/or to request that their policy be extended to include naturopathic services if it does not already do so. Since naturopathic doctors use alternatives to costly techniques and drug therapies, more insurance companies are beginning to investigate expanding coverage of this cost-effective treatment method. Naturopathic medicine is currently not covered by any of the provincial health plans (i.e. MCP).
How is naturopathic medicine regulated in Canada?
Presently, Newfoundland and Labrador remains unregulated. Legislation for naturopathic doctors exists in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia. New regulations for NDs in Alberta have been prepared and await government approval. All other provinces and territories are actively pursuing regulation. ND's practicing in unregulated provinces maintain licensure within a regulated province to uphold and promote their professional standard.
What kind of education and training to naturopathic doctors have?
Like a conventional doctor, dentist, or chiropractor, the naturopathic doctor first completes pre-medical studies at university. The naturopathic student then enters into a four-year, full-time medical program at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine. Training includes basic, medical, and clinical science; diagnostics; naturopathic principles and therapeutics; and extensive clinical experience under the supervision of licensed naturopathic doctors. Graduates receive the title "N.D." or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Upon successful completion of any accredited program, a naturopathic doctor is eligible and must sit for NPLEX (Naturopathic Physicians Licensing Examinations) and take provincial or state board examinations to obtain licensure.
A licensed naturopathic doctor is one who practices in a regulated province or state (or, if practicing in an unlicensed province or state, has obtained and maintains his/her license in a regulated province/state) and has completed a four-year, full-time program at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine. To find out if a naturopathic doctor is licensed, either check with the naturopathic regulatory board of your province or contact the CAND.
A licensed naturopathic doctor is one who practices in a regulated province or state (or, if practicing in an unlicensed province or state, has obtained and maintains his/her license in a regulated province/state) and has completed a four-year, full-time program at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine. To find out if a naturopathic doctor is licensed, either check with the naturopathic regulatory board of your province or contact the CAND.
Accredited programs.
The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) is the only government-recognized accrediting body for naturopathic medical schools in Canada and the United States. The CNME has accredited the following naturopathic medical programs:
- The Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (New Westminster, British Columbia)
- The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto, Ontario)
- The National College of Naturopathic Medicine (Portland, Oregon)
- Bastyr University (Seattle, Washington)
- The University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine (Bridgeport, Connecticut)
- Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (Scottsdale, Arizona)
- The Council on Naturopathic Medical Education has granted candidacy for accreditation to the National University of Health Sciences (Lombard, Illinois)
Licensed N.D.'s are NOT trained via correspondence programs.
None of the CNME-accredited institutions offer any portion of the ND degree via correspondence or the Internet. Graduates of non-accredited institutions, correspondence and/or Internet programs are not eligible to sit for NPLEX, the North American board exams for naturopathic medicine. Graduates of correspondence programs are not allowed to take provincial or state licensing exams. No graduate from these schools has ever been licensed by any provincial or state licensing board. No member of the CAND has received their naturopathic medical training through correspondence courses.