What do Naturopathic Doctors do?

Naturopathic Doctors integrate treatment approaches from the following areas:

Clinical Nutrition

Clinical Nutrition examines the relationship between diet and health. Naturopathic Doctors are trained to recognize individualized dietary needs and train patients as to how to use food as medicine. Emphasizing the importance of a balanced, minimally processed, whole foods diet, recommendations may additionally include nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, enzymes, probiotics and other nutraceuticals.

Botanical Medicine

The use of Botanical/Herbal Medicine for healing dates back to the beginnings of civilization and is the foundation of modern pharmacology. Plant substances from around the world may be used for their healing effects and nutritional value.

Homeopathy

Based on the principle of "like cures like", Homeopathic Medicine uses minute amounts of natural substances to stimulate the self-healing abilities of the body. Homeopathy is gentle and safe for use in infants, children and animals, yet offers profound healing potential.

Physical Therapy

Naturopathic Doctors are trained to adjust the spine and other joints, similar to the work that Chiropractors do. NDs are also trained to perform soft tissue massage for rehabilitation or relaxation, hydrotherapy (the application of hot and cold water treatments to exert specific physiological effects) and the therapeutic use of ultrasound.

Asian Medicine & Acupuncture

Naturopathic Doctors receive extensive training in acupuncture, a system of healing based on balancing the flow of Chi (energy) through the meridians, or energy pathways that are recognized to flow through the body. Asian Medicine training also includes the use of moxa, cupping and herbal medicine.

Lifestyle Counselling

Naturopathic Medicine is much more than knowing how to use a natural substance in place of a pharmaceutical drug. Physical, emotional, nutritional and environmental factors affect health. Naturopathic Doctors take the time to understand the constellation of lifestyle factors that hold you back from reaching your health goals. Your ND can help you make informed choices about approaching weight management, stress reduction, healthy relationships, mental-emotional concerns, smoking cessation, and more - just ask!