Naturopathic doctors are educated in all of the same basic sciences as a medical doctor, as well as the latest advances in science, natural approaches to treatment, disease prevention and clinical education. In addition to a standard medical curriculum, a naturopath is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, physical medicine and counseling. Continue reading to learn about the tools I commonly use in practice.
Acupuncture
Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles into different locations on the body. In Ontario, naturopathic doctors are licensed to perform acupuncture. Acupuncture can be used to treat a variety of health concerns including, but not limited to:
- Fertility support — whether preparing for a natural pregnancy or during a stimulated cycle
- Hormone imbalance — like acne, irregular periods, PMS, PCOS and endometriosis
- Pregnancy concerns – like nausea and vomiting, labour induction and to help turn a breech fetus
- Stress reduction and insomnia
Nutrition & Supplementation
A strong, nutritional diet is at the core of all good health. The food that we put into our bodies is what allows our organs to keep functioning, our brains to keep thinking and our moods to stay happy. In order to optimize health and wellness, diet must always be addressed. Naturopathic doctors are trained to develop a dietary plan to suit your needs while assessing for food sensitivities and digestive impairments.
While the diet is our foundation, there are times in our lives where we require more than what we can get from our food. Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients may be prescribed to treat specific conditions, to reverse deficiencies and to support the body during times of higher demand.
Botanical Medicine
Botanical medicine is the use of plants and plant extracts for their specific medicinal properties. Plants have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of conditions. In the correct forms, botanical medicines can be a quite useful and powerful tool in the treatment of many health concerns. Although readily available at health food stores, the medicinal properties of botanicals can be strong enough to interact with your current medications. For this reason, naturopathic doctors are trained to evaluate potential interactions, side-effects and the safety profile of botanical medicines on a case-by-case basis.
Lifestyle Medicine
Sometimes lifestyle medicine can go overlooked, but research shows that it is our daily habits that can greatly impact our health. Naturopathic doctors address lifestyle influences that may be detracting from your health-related goals. Some areas that will be investigated include your sleep schedule, daily routines, environmental exposure, screen time, exercise regime, the time of day you eat your meals, your response to daily stressors, and the list goes on. Lifestyle medicine enables individuals to take control of their health and play an active role in managing their health concerns.
Comprehensive Lab Testing
Having access to lab results allows a deeper understanding of your individual physiology.
Using specialized testing, we become a step closer to uncovering the true cause of your health concerns.
Some common and specialized lab test that may be recommended by your naturopathic doctor include:
- Complete Blood count (CBC)
- Thyroid Panel – including TSH, T4, T3, Anti-TPO, and Anti-thyroglobulin
- Iron
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
- Cholesterol Panel
- Blood Sugar and HbA1C
- Insulin Sensitivity
- Liver and Kidney function
- Inflammatory Markers – ESR and hs-CRP
- Hormonal Profile
- Adrenal Function Test
- Urinalysis
- Food sensitivity testing – IgG food reactions
- Heavy Metal Testing
- Comprehensive Digestive Stool Analysis
- Organic Acids
- And more!
If you want to learn more about specialized naturopathic testing: