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Does naturopathic medicine go by other names? |
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Naturopathic medicine or naturopathic services are also known as alternative therapy or complementary therapy. No matter what it is called it is still performed by a licensed naturopath. |
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Is Naturopathic medicine covered by OHIP? |
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Although Naturopathic services are not covered by OHIP, many private health insurance plans will provide coverage. Check your benefits package for details. |
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Do you offer discounts? |
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In our Hamilton office, we have the following discounts:
- Student rates – this includes highschool, university
and even post-graduate students
- Seniors rates - for those patients over 60 years of age
- Family rates – each family member receives 10% off our
regular consultation fees
- Children’s rates – these rates are smaller to reflect the smaller
size of the patients *For more information, please contact our office.
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Can my Naturopathic doctor do blood work? |
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Yes, Naturopathic doctors can draw blood and send it to a laboratory for analysis, performing the same tests that medical doctors have available to them. OHIP does not cover blood work requested by naturopaths; therefore, patients must pay the cost. Costs will vary depending on the test(s). |
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How is a Naturopathic doctor (ND)or Naturopath different from a Medical doctor(MD)? |
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Naturopathic doctors and Medical doctors undergo very similar levels of training. Both are required to complete an undergraduate degree at university before completing further training at either a naturopathic college or medical school. Naturopathic and conventional medicines are complementary and can co-exist.
Medical doctors are trained to treat symptoms and specific illnesses with surgery and pharmaceuticals. They receive little training in nutrition and lifestyle counseling. Medical doctors are proficient at treating timely and emergent conditions; however, due to time restrictions and current doctor shortages MDs are unable to spend as much time with you as your Naturopath.
Naturopathic doctors are trained to treat the whole person, not just the symptoms, with natural therapies and preventative medicine. Naturopaths receive extensive training in nutritional medicine and lifestyle counseling, along with botanical, Asian, homeopathic medicines and physical therapies. Naturopathic doctors are here to help us achieve and maintain a good quality of life and prevent disease.
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What can my Naturopathic doctor treat? |
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Naturopathic doctors are recognized as primary care practitioners, much like family medical doctors. As such, Naturopaths are able to treat a variety of conditions ranging from acute conditions such as ear infections, to chronic conditions, such as arthritis. For those individuals who choose to have a Medical doctor for primary care, a Naturopath can provide complementary therapy. |
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What can’t my Naturopathic doctor do? |
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Naturopathic doctors are not able to perform surgery or set broken bones. As well, they cannot be considered primary care practitioners for obstetric care or for infants under 6-weeks of age; however, they can still provide complementary care to a woman and her infant during these times. |
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What can I expect at a typical first/second/third visit? |
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Your first visit with a Naturopath will take 90 minutes, so that you can discuss your medical and family history, your nutritional intake, stress level, daily lifestyle and exercise regime. Your Naturopathic doctor will perform a general physical examination on the first or second visit. Subsequent visits range from 30 – 60 minutes depending on the treatment program.
A Naturopathic doctor will take the time to investigate the underlying cause of any symptoms, and to educate you about how you can take personal responsibility for your own health. You will work with your Naturopath to develop a customized treatment program. Your naturopathic doctor is also trained to refer you to another healthcare provider when necessary.
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Do you treat pets? |
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There are some Naturopathic doctors that are also licensed Veterinarians. These practitioners are specially trained in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of animals. They can use both conventional and naturopathic treatments with your pet. |
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How is a Naturopathic doctor different from a Homeopath? |
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A naturopath uses a variety of treatment modalities, as described under “Services – Naturopathic Medicine”. Naturopathic doctors must complete an undergraduate degree at university as well as a four-year full-time Naturopathic Medicine Program at one of six accredited schools in North America . NDs in Ontario must be registered and licensed through the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy and are governed by the Drugless Practitioners Act. They must also carry malpractice insurance.
Homeopaths use only homeopathy to treat their patients. They must have completed high school as well as a minimum of 2 years at either college or university. They are not required to have a university degree. The Toronto School of Homeopathic Medicine offers 3 or 4 year programs which consist of 18 weekend classes each year. In Ontario , Homeopaths are not licensed, and do not fall under the governing of the Drugless Practitioners Act.
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How is Naturopathic medicine different from these “Holistic” places I hear about? |
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Naturopathic doctors use a variety of treatment modalities, as described under “Services – Naturopathic Medicine”. A naturopath must complete an undergraduate degree at university as well as a four-year full-time Naturopathic Medicine Program at one of five accredited schools in North America . Naturopathic doctors in Ontario must be registered and licensed through the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy and are governed by the Drugless Practitioners Act. They must also carry malpractice insurance.
Holistic centres may consist of a variety of therapists working together. Some of these therapists may be recognized and licensed (for example, massage therapists are regulated
and acupuncturists are soon to be regulated). Other types of therapy (reiki, herbalists, etc) are not regulated in Ontario; therefore the quality of care and level of education and training of these individuals can vary greatly.
When looking for a professional in natural therapies, it is important to know whether your practitioner is licensed and therefore regulated under either the Drugless Practitioners Act (DPA) or the Regulated Health Practitioners Act (RHPA). This guarantees that these professionals have been well educated and extensively trained in their field, and are recognized by the government and the healthcare community.
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Can my Naturopathic doctor (ND) still practice traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) once it is regulated by the Ontario government? |
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Yes, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care - Minister
George Smitherman has announced that the government is moving closer to
regulating traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. However, nothing
will change with respect to your NDs ability to practice TCM. Naturopathic doctors are
governed by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy - Naturopathy
(BDDT-N), and TCM is well within our scope of practice. For further
information, please visit:
www.health.gov.on.ca/english/media/news_releases/archives/nr_05/nr_07
2905.html
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