Frequently Asked Questions


How is visiting a Naturopathic Doctor the same as visiting a Medical Doctor?

Naturopathic Doctors are trained in medical sciences and may use the same scientific resources your family physician uses to diagnose and treat your condition. During your visit with an ND you may undergo a physical exam and/or laboratory testing. When appropriate, an ND will refer you to another medical professional. Naturopathic Doctors are family doctors who may treat all members of your family.

 

How is visiting a Naturopathic Doctor the same as visiting a Medical Doctor?

Naturopathic Doctors are trained in medical sciences and may use the same scientific resources your family physician uses to diagnose and treat your condition. During your visit with an ND you may undergo a physical exam and/or laboratory testing. When appropriate, an ND will refer you to another medical professional. Naturopathic Doctors are family doctors who may treat all members of your family.

 

How is Visiting a Naturopathic Doctor different from visiting a Medical doctor?

The basic medical training for a Medical Doctor and for a Naturopathic Doctor is similar, however the application of this information is different. A typical visit with a Naturopathic Doctor may last one hour or more so that your may discuss how your physical health is connected to mental, social, spiritual, and environmental factors. They key to finding treatments that work is taking time to integrate all systems in your body so that the root cause can be discovered and addressed. Prevention and education are also key components of a Naturopathic prescription. For example, you may have many female relatives who have had breast cancer. A Naturopathic doctor may help you evaluate your risk of developing breast cancer and teach you how to make lifestyle changes that will help you lower this risk.

 

Do I need to leave my family doctor if I want to become a patient with Nature Med?

Naturopathic doctors can complement and enhance health services provided by other health care professionals, including your family doctor. We are willing to cooperate and refer to other health professionals for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate. Naturopathic doctors provide patients with a truly integrative from of health care.

 What if I am taking prescription medication? Can I still receive naturopathic treatment?

Naturopathic doctors are trained to understand the effects of prescription medications in the body and the interactions between prescription medications and natural therapies. With this knowledge, a ND can safely prescribe natural treatments that will work to enhance the effectiveness, reduce the side effects and re-balance any deficiency from your prescription medications.

What if I am taking prescription medication? Can I still receive naturopathic treatment?

Naturopathic doctors are trained to understand the effects of prescription medications in the body and the interactions between prescription medications and natural therapies. With this knowledge, a ND can safely prescribe natural treatments that will work to enhance the effectiveness, reduce the side effects and re-balance any deficiency from your prescription medications.

 

What happens during my first visit?

Your first appointment is an opportunity for you and your ND to discuss your health concern and determine the best way to achieve results. It is sometimes necessary in the short-term to offer you recommendations for symptom relief. However, the long-term goal is to provide corrective and preventative care. A physical exam and laboratory testing may be necessary to help determine the cause of your symptoms. Initial consultations last between 60 and 90 minutes. Please see New Patients section.

 

Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by OHIP?

Visits to a Naturopathic doctor are NOT currently covered by OHIP. Most extended health benefit plans do provide coverage for a significant portion of seeing a Naturopathic doctor. Check your benefits package, or call your insurance provider to inquire further about your coverage for Naturopathic medicine.

 

How popular is Naturopathic Medicine?

According to a Statistics Canada report, in 2003 approximately one quarter of all Canadians with a post-secondary education and one quarter of all Canadians with a chronic health condition consulted with an alternative or complementary health care practitioner. In 2005, the Heath Canada Standing Committee on Health determined that 71% of Canadians use a natural health product. It is apparent that Canadians are searching for health care options in addition to the care provided by their mainstream practitioner. In Ontario, NDs are the only practitioners recognized by the government who may diagnose and treat health conditions with natural health products and therapies.

 

Is naturopathic medicine backed by research?

Naturopathic medical therapies have a long history of safe and effective use that is supported by evidence based research. Nutritional medicine is well supported by numerous large clinical trials for a variety of specific and general health concerns. Many herbal medicines also have an extensive history of traditional use that is validated by current medical research and safety data. The direct link between, dietary, environmental, social, psychological, spiritual, and other lifestyle factors and a plethora of health conditions is well documented throughout scientific research. The evidence base supporting the safety and effectiveness of naturopathic medicine continues to grow daily as new findings are included.

 

How long will it take to see results?

The frequency of your office visits depends on the nature of your health concerns and goals. You and your ND may determine this together when forming your health care plan.

 

How long will it take to see results?

The frequency of your office visits depends on the nature of your health concerns and goals. You and your ND may determine this together when forming your health care plan.

 

What is the difference between Naturopathic medicine and homeopathy?

Homeopathy is a 200-year-old medical practice that is based on the principle of similars (like cures like). It uses minute doses of substances to stimulate the healing mechanisms of the body. Naturopathic doctors are general practitioners in natural medicine. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease using a variety of natural therapies, including all of those listed in the services section. A Naturopathic doctor may choose to use homeopathy as one of their approaches to treatment when it is appropriate, a homeopath would only use homeopathic therapy. In contrast to the training of NDs, most homeopathic programs are only two to three years in length. Also, Naturopathic medicine is regulated and licensed in Ontario, whereas homeopathy is neither a regulated nor licensed profession.

 
 

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