FAQ

What is a naturopathic doctor?

A naturopathic doctor is a primary healthcare practitioner trained in the use of natural medicine. If you are interested in taking a different approach to your health concerns and avoid prescription drugs a naturopath is best suited to help you.

Naturopathic doctors are trained in:

• Nutritional counselling
• Herbal Medicine
• Chinese medicine and acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Lifestyle counselling

What forms of treatments do Naturopathic Doctors Use?

Naturopathic doctors are trained in various treatment therapies including:

Clinical nutrition:  “You are what you eat”, however many of us still do not realize what an integral role diet plays in their health. Naturopathic doctors are trained to understand the impact that your diet is having on your health and will make condition specific recommendations that will help to improve your health. Treatment may also include nutritional supplements such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other nutrients.

Botanical medicine: Botanical or Herbal Medicine is a plant-based medicine using teas, liquids, capsules and other forms of herbal preparations to assist in the recovery from injury and disease.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) including Acupuncture: TCM is the use of  acupuncture, supplemented with Chinese herbal medicine to stimulate the flow of Qi (energy) and circulation to stimulate healing and restore balance in the body to eliminate disease. Click here to learn more about acupuncture. (please link back to acupuncture section)

Homeopathy: Homeopathic medicine uses ultra low dose of natural substances to stimulate the immune system to promote healing.

Physical Medicine: employs the use of hydrotherapy, peat therapy, and soft tissue work to facilitate healing.

Lifestyle counselling: Physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental factors affect health. Addressing all aspects of a person’s life, identifying and addressing the impact that stress and life events have on a patient’s health is an important aspect of naturopathic treatment.

What Conditions Do Naturopathic Doctors Treat?

Naturopathic Medicine can be used to treat, manage and prevent a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions. Common health conditions include but are not limited to:

• Female reproductive system; menstrual problems & irregularities, PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, menopause, infertility and libido
• Male reproductive system; prostrate problems, infertility, and libido
• Children’s Health; coughs, colds, teething, and colic
• Urinary system; urinary tract infections
• Immune system; frequent infections, slow recovery after infection, and autoimmune diseases
• Nervous system; anxiety, stress, depression, insomnia, and headaches,
• Digestive system; irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, constipation, nausea, bloating, diarrhea, indigestion, and acid reflux
• Respiratory system; frequent colds, sinusitis, ear infections, and allergies
• Cardiovascular system; preventative health, circulation, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol
• Joint and Bone Health: Arthritis, and osteoporosis
• Other Chronic Disease: Fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue

For any condition, Naturopathic Medicine can offer you a choice of how you can take charge of your own health!

How are Naturopathic Doctors trained?

NDs must obtain a minimum of three years undergraduate pre-medical studies, followed by four years of post-graduate training at an accredited naturopathic medical institution.

As part of the training, graduates must also complete extensive clinical training under the supervision of licensed NDs. Upon graduation, candidates receive the title Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. All NDs must also pass a set of rigorous licensing examinations to be eligible to practice and meet on-going Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits as required by the provincial regulatory board.

How are Naturopathic Doctors regulated?

Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario are regulated by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy Naturopathy (BDDT-N) and are regulated under the Drugless Practitioner’s Act. To enquire if a naturopath is licensed you can contact the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND) at 416-223-2001 or www.oand.org

Are Naturopathic Doctors covered by OHIP?

Naturopathic visits and treatments are not covered by OHIP.  However, most extended health care plans do cover the cost of your visits. Check with your employer to find out whether your benefits package includes Naturopathic Medicine.

How often do I need to visit a Naturopathic Doctor?

It varies on the needs of the patient. A personal and individualized treatment plan is different for every patient. Please consult with your ND.