Naturopathy
WHAT IS IT?
Naturopathy is a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine. The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body, and unfavourable lifestyle habits. Naturopathic Medicine emphasizes disease as a process rather than as an entity.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Naturopathic medicine supports and promotes the body's natural healing process, leading to a person's highest state of wellness. By addressing the causes of disease and individualizing treatment that integrates the healing powers of body, mind and spirit, health can be restored, optimized, and maintained.
TREATMENT
Your initial appointment can take from 1 to 1.5 hours during which time we will discuss all aspects of your life including diet, exercise, sleep, and digestion to find out why you are not feeling your best. A treatment plan will then be made in co-operation with the patient which may include diet and lifestyle changes, supplements, acupuncture treatments, herbal treatments, or allergy testing. Subsequent appointments are from 30 to 60 minutes during which we may perform a treatment such as acupuncture or discuss further supplement, diet or lifestyle changes.
FAQ's
- Does naturopathic medicine work effectively?
- Naturopathic medicine has its own unique body of knowledge, evolved and refined through experience for centuries. It also incorporates scientific advances from medical disciplines throughout the world. Many of the individual therapies used in naturopathic medical practice have been scientifically validated, especially in the areas of clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathy, acupuncture and manipulation. The trend is that those naturopathic methods which are tested in well-designed studies are validated. Research is presently being conducted on the effectiveness of the whole system of naturopathic medicine when it is applied to patients with certain conditions.
- Is naturopathic medicine safe?
- Yes. The safety record for genuine naturopaths is excellent. Naturopaths can purchase malpractice insurance at extremely low rates. As indicated by such rates, the chance of being injured through malpractice is low. Naturopaths are experts in the safe use of natural therapies.
- Who can use naturopathic treatments safely?
- Pregnant women, newborns, and all phases of life up to geriatric care. Terminally ill persons too can benefit safely from naturopathic medicine.
- How is naturopathic medicine different from conventional medicine?
- The main difference is in philosophical approach. Naturopaths treat patients by restoring overall health and are more concerned with finding the underlying cause of a condition and applying treatments that work in alliance with the natural healing mechanisms of the body. Naturopathic treatments result less frequently in adverse side effects, or in the chronic conditions that can arise when the cause of disease is left untreated. Naturopaths typically spend more time with patients, taking a more comprehensive approach.
- How can naturopathic medicine be blended with conventional medicine?
- Although treatment approaches may differ, they are not mutually exclusive. Many patients are under the care of both a conventional doctor and a naturopath, utilizing the strengths and minimizing the limitation of each approach. In an ideal world, patients would always be ale to access the best of both systems. Naturopathic medicine had effective treatment for many problems that conventional medicine often fails to cure such as asthma, arthritis, migraines, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Recently, conventional medicine had incorporated some naturopathic approaches in the areas of nutrition, diet, and exercise therapy.