Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are healthcare providers that use natural remedies to support healing and wellness. Is a naturopathic doctor reputable and knowledgeable? All licensed NDs in Ontario, including our team of licensed naturopathic doctors, must complete a minimum of three years of university-level training, including pre-medical courses, and four years at an accredited naturopathic medical program. The foundation of naturopathic medicine training is rooted in health sciences, while the therapies include clinical nutrition, supplementation, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle counselling.
Why Choose a Naturopathic Doctor for Your Health and Well-Being?
Here are the top 4 reasons why you might choose to see a Naturopathic Medicine Doctor.
- You are looking for more time to discuss your health concerns in depth with a trained healthcare practitioner. Naturopathic medical doctor visits range in length, but the average appointment time is 45-60 minutes. This allows you to discuss your health concerns at length without feeling like you have to rush and possibly leave something important out of the discussion.
- You are wondering if different types of symptoms may be connected. As holistic practitioners, naturopathy doctors consider all of your health concerns as part of a larger pattern or picture. No matter how seemingly unconnected your symptoms might seem, your ND would like to hear about each concern. A doctor of naturopathy will further explore the details and timing of your concerns in the context of your health history and look to see if there is a common thread. NDs believe in treating the ‘root cause’ and thereby addressing all of the different ‘branches’ or symptoms.
- You wish to complete further blood work and testing to explore your health concerns. A doctor of naturopathic medicine in Ontario has access to a full range of conventional lab testing as well as private testing that may explore things such as food sensitivities, gut health, hormone testing, and more. NDs are trained in reading lab testing from a conventional perspective but may also look at labs from a ‘functional’ perspective. This means that instead of just looking for disease, they are also looking for markers of sub-optimal function. For example, a person’s iron may not be low enough to be defined as ‘anemic’ or ‘abnormal’ but may not be high enough to support energy levels, immune function, and many other important functions. An ND can counsel you on how to support health through the analysis of these labs.
- You wish to support conventional treatment by addressing overall wellness through nutrition and lifestyle. An individual may be undergoing treatment within the conventional medical system and still partner with an ND to support overall wellness. These systems are complementary. For example, you may be treating pain and arthritis with medications and physiotherapy but still wish to explore dietary support, supplemental support, lifestyle changes, or even acupuncture for bone health, pain management, and medication side effects.
A doctor in naturopathy can have many benefits to you depending on your health and well-being. To find a naturopathic doctor near you, or to learn more about the benefits of naturopathic medicine, contact our naturopathic doctors today.
