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"Naturopathic Medicine"
Naturopathic medicine is a system and approach to healthcare that treats disease and promotes health using safe, gentle, non-invasive therapies including clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulation and lifestyle counselling. Oftentimes, these methods are used in combination or synergistically to increase the health benefit. Licensed naturopathic doctors (A.K.A, naturopaths, naturopathic physicians, or N.D.'s) are highly educated physicians who integrate conventional medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies. They are trained to provide complete primary healthcare and perform full physical exams, conduct medical research, and order lab tests. They recognize red flags and when necessary, refer to other healthcare providers. Naturopathic medicine can help with many health problems and services are provided in a similar fashion to your family doctor, with a few notable differences:
1. Visits are much longer - usually 30-60 minutes. 2. Traditional drugs or surgery is not prescribed. Rather, because natural medicine attempts to investigate and treat the causes of health concerns, treatment relies on prevention and evidence-based natural solutions, including herbal supplements, diet, habits, behavior, environment, and so forth. Many patients benefit from both naturopathic and traditional medical treatments simultaneously. (Naturopathic doctors often work in consultation with medical doctors to diagnose and treat health concerns. Naturopathic doctors and medical doctors often refer patients to one another, depending on the health concern.) 3. Similar to massage and chiropractic services, naturopathic services are not covered by provincial medical care, so the patient is responsible for the fees. However, naturopathic medicine is covered by most health insurance plans. Further reading: Naturopathic Physician's Oath... FAQ's... |
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