Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic medicine is a distinct health care profession that combines the wisdom of nature with the rigors of modern science. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are trained as primary care providers who diagnose, treat and manage patients with acute and chronic conditions, while addressing disease and dysfunction at the level of body, mind and spirit.

By using evidence-based natural health solutions the goal of addressing the root cause of illness or disease is achieved. Through listening, taking a detailed medical history, and interpreting laboratory tests, a treatment plan is established. Let us connect so that we may begin to meet your needs whether it is in-person or virtual.

Our clinic takes a holistic approach to your health by providing you with the broad spectrum of wellness services and treatments that you may need to better your health. Naturopathic medicine is “functional medicine”.

Services provided by Naturopaths:

– Functional Medicine

Functional medicine is a systems approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease. Each symptom or differential diagnosis may be one of many contributing to an individual’s illness. For example we can look at depression.  Depression may be the condition with many causes like insomnia, hormonal changes, low energy and gut issues leading to low serotonin production.  Functional medicine can also see one cause or symptom can be part of many condition, as an example irritable bowel can be associated with hormonal changes, food intolerance, imbalance of microbiome, and permeable gut also know as leaky gut.

Naturopathic doctors are the sleuths of functional medicine.  By having access to a diverse variety of additional diagnostic testing, they are capable of pin pointing the possible cause or condition constituting to an individual’s illness.

The precise manifestation of each cause/condition depends on the individual’s lifestyle, environment, and genetics, and only treatments that address the right cause will have lasting benefit beyond symptom suppression.

Therapeutic amount of specific vitamins, minerals, neutraceuticals, botanicals and even homeopathy can then be prescribed to support a patient’s innate biological response.  The ultimate goal for a naturopathic doctor is to restore balance and strengthen their patients internal healing compass.

– Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

BHRT involves bringing our body to its’ optimal hormonal balance through the most natural method possible. When our hormones are imbalanced it can affect us mentally, emotionally and physically. This can increase the risk of illnesses such as depression, anxiety, heart disease,  and osteoporosis.  Natural bio-identical hormones that have exactly the same composition as those produced by the body. These hormones can be used topically, orally, or via suppositories.  A healthier hormonal state is achieved quickly and effectively.  Individuals who have thyroid conditions, PCOS, peri/post menopause, infertility, endometriosis, adenomyosis and male andropause benefit greatly while on this type of treatment.

Benefits include:

  • Easy to take
  • Efficient and effective treatment
  • Patient has control of when to cease treatment
  • Mood and emotional state restored to balance
  • Return of energy, vitality and libido
  • Supports fertility in menstruating women
  • Balances the thyroid
  • Treating the root cause of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)
  • supporting Endometriosis and Adenomyosis
  • Aiding in Premature Ovarian Insufficiency

Each patient will be assessed specifically to their condition.  Both female and male patients will be required to do specific testing.  Certain tests will have to be done on exact days of their cycles in order to determine true blood value of hormones.  Our practitioners use blood, saliva, and urine samples for evaluating and assessing treatment progression.

– Low Intensity Light Therapy (LILT)

Low Intensity Laser Therapy is the use of light to promote healing.  The light source is placed in contact with the skin allowing photon energy to penetrate into damaged and injured tissue.  The light interacts with various biological cells to restore normal function and enhance the body’s natural healing process.

There are several medical laser devices on the market.  Our clinic invested in the renowned Canadian made Bioflex system due to it being the most advanced in the field of low intensity laser therapy.  It utilises a combination of flexible, super luminous diode arrays, followed by a simple laser treatment head.  Treatments are customised for each patient based on their condition, progress and feedback.

Benefits include:

  • Non-invasive
  • Easily applied
  • No known negative side effects
  • A natural treatment
  • Treatments are typically 30 to 60 minutes in duration depending on the condition being treated and the number of laser therapy controllers being used.  The number of treatments required will vary depending on the patient’s condition and the surface area of the body that is being treated. Just as every medical condition varies, so will each individual response to therapy.   Acute conditions may require fewer treatments while chronic conditions may require more. Body size, age, skin colour and hydration all impact the duration of treatment.

Conditions which benefit include:

  • General: carpal tunnel syndrome, Rotor cuff tear, Repetitive stress injury, epicondylitis, fibromyalgia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction
  • Injuries: ligament and tendon tears, fractures and associated soft tissue injuries, facet joint syndrome, bulging and herniated discs, contusions
  • Inflammatory: tendonitis, myositis, synovitis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, rheumatoid arthritis
  • Degenerative: osteoarthritis, chondromalacia patella, discogenic and verebrogenic radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, calcifications (i.e. bone spurs)
  • Other Applications: wound healing, dermal ulcers, lymphedema (acute and chronic), burns, dermatology, shingles, eczema, gout, arthritis, neuropathies.

– Doula Services

Doula (pronounced “doo-lah”) is someone who assists women before, during and/or after childbirth. Support to both mother and partner is provided via information, emotional support, and using various therapies beneficial for pregnancy, childbirth, and newborns. Research has shown that  labour tends to be shorter with less medical intervention and greater maternal satisfaction with the support of a doula.

What Therapies Can a Naturopathic Doctor Provide as a Doula?

  • Emotional and educational support
  • Dietary and supplement advice
  • Induce labour
  • Therapy for breech babies
  • Shorten labour and delivery time
  • Alternatives to pain management during labour
  • Pre and Post natal care for mom and baby

Benefits of having a Naturopathic Doctor as your Doula?

Having a Naturopathic Doctor as your doula ensures that you have a licensed practitioner as part of your health care team.  Over the years our Naturopathic Doctors have worked with midwives and obstetricians to deliver healthy babies.  Our Naturopathic Doctors have the ability to incorporate their therapies to help induce deliveries, shorten labour and delivery time as well as help with post natal care for both mom and baby.  They are also there for emotional support for the partners who at times feel helpless during the birth of their child.  In addition, these services are covered under extended health care benefits as they are conducted by a Naturopathic Doctor.