Considering alternative health and treatment options often comes with a variety of questions. Below we try to answer as many of these for you as we can.
What are examples of conditions Naturopathic Doctors address?
Here are some examples, but they represent a small fraction of the concerns an ND can help to address. Most chronic conditions such as weight management, dermatological issues, women’s health, cardiac health, inflammation issues such as arthritis, digestive problems, fatigue, and conditions related to poor diet; headaches and pain etc. General medical concerns such as colds, flus and stomach issues etc. General mental and emotional issues. And optimal health strategies to address some of the above issues.
What conditions do Naturopathic Physicians routinely treat?
NDs address the fundamental causes of many of your health concerns. By using the latest Naturopathic techniques an ND strives to find the underlying cause of the problem and not just the symptoms themselves. The goal is to attempt to achieve optimal health for the patient. Naturopathic Doctors can be referred to as general practitioners of Naturopathic Medicine. In other words, NDs treat patients that have acute or chronic health concerns or both.
What can I expect when I visit a Naturopathic Physician?
Expect to spend more time with your naturopathic physician than you do with almost any other physician.
The first visit is a 45 minute consultation which includes an in-depth patient interview. It is important to have a good understanding of your current health concern, your history, and your emotional well-being and lifestyle. We will review your medical history, your family history, and your lifestyle covering issues such as the sources of stress in your life, the foods, your sleep habits, etc.
In the second visit, a physical exam and/or laboratory tests will be performed in order to assist in formulating a diagnosis and assessment. Understanding the outcome of the interview and tests are especially important as it is from this information that can provide an appropriate treatment plan – one that suits your lifestyle.
Further follow-up visits involve the development and discussion of a comprehensive and individualized treatment plan including dietary counselling. Our Naturopathic Doctors work together with their patients to determine the best possible treatments available.
What is Naturopathic Medicine
Naturopathic Medicine is a unique and comprehensive approach to improving health and treating illness. Focusing on prevention, and using natural substances and treatments, naturopathic physicians (ND’s) help to support and stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself.
The primary goal of naturopathic treatment is to address the cause of illness, rather than to simply treat or suppress the symptoms. The patient is seen as a whole person and the Naturopathic Doctor takes the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual elements into account as well when diagnosing and developing a treatment plan. Naturopathic medicine has many methods to try and augment the wellbeing of their patients.
Some of the primary therapies used by naturopathic physicians are: Clinical Nutrition, Botanical Medicine, Homeopathic Medicine, Acupuncture, Oriental Medicine, Physical Therapies, and Lifestyle Counselling.