How does Naturopathic Medicine compare to Conventional Medicine?

Both provide primary care and both types of doctors are similarly trained. The primary differences between naturopathic and conventional medicine are the philosophical approach and the therapies used. Naturopathic doctors (NDs) treat patients as individuals by addressing the physical, environmental, lifestyle, attitudinal, and emotional aspects of health. This allows Naturopathic doctors to find and treat the cause of the disease using natural, non-invasive therapies. Allopathic doctors generally address and treat the symptoms of disease and use pharmaceutical therapies or surgery.

What can Naturopathic Medicine do for you?

Naturopathic medicine treats all forms of health concerns -- from pediatric to geriatric clients, from chronic illness to acute conditions and from the physical to the psychological. Naturopathic medicine is beneficial for the following types of people:

• People wanting to address a health concern
• People who have a range of symptoms that they have been unable to address on their own or with the help of other medical practitioners
• People who have been diagnosed with an illness, often serious or chronic and are looking for alternative treatments. Naturopathic medicine is very effective for improving quality of life for those with serious and life threatening illnesses.
• People who are looking to combine conventional and naturopathic treatments.
• People who are looking for disease prevention and health promotion strategies.
• People wanting alternatives to medications.

What is a Naturopathic Doctors Education and Training?

A Naturopathic Doctor first completes 4 years of pre-medical studies at a university. The naturopathic student then enters into a four-year, full-time medical program at an accredited school of naturopathic medicine. Training includes medical and clinical science, diagnostics, naturopathic principles and therapeutics, and extensive clinical experience under the supervision of licensed Naturopathic Doctors. Graduates receive the title "N.D." or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine. Naturopathic Doctors must also pass rigorous board exams, both internationally and provincially, and must be registered with the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy-Naturopathy in Ontario.

What is a typical visit?

The first appointment with one of us is approximately 1 hour with subsequent appointments 30 minutes in length depending on your specific health concern. During the initial visit a detailed history of your current and past health concerns, a complaint oriented physical exam and the use of information from laboratory tests will be used to make an assessment and diagnosis. A personalized treatment plan is then implemented on the second visit to help facilitate your health goals.

Is Naturopathic Medicine covered by health insurance plans?

Most extended health insurance plans in Canada cover naturopathic treatments. We encourage you contact their employer or individual insurance brokers to determine if you are covered and/or to request that your policy be extended to include naturopathic services if it does not already do so. Since Naturopathic Doctors use alternatives to costly techniques and drug therapies, more insurance companies are beginning to investigate expanding coverage of this cost-effective treatment method.