Naturopathic Medicine
The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
~ Thomas Edison
What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a primary health care profession that examines the totality of symptoms a patient may be experiencing in order to treat the root cause of the problem. Naturopathic Doctors undergo extensive training in biomedical sciences, diagnosis, clinical nutrition, physical medicine, botanical medicine, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, and homeopathy. Having a minimum of 8 years of post-secondary education - completing a bachelor’s degree prior to the 4-year intensive naturopathic medicine program - naturopathic doctors are well trained to examine your health status and treat using numerous natural and traditional forms of medicine.
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Through understanding the innate healing systems and abilities of the human body, naturopathic doctors work with these systems to strengthen them and bring the body back into a state where long-lasting health and healing occurs.
Clinical Nutrition
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food” ~ Hippocrates
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Food and water are our sources of nutrition, however, with long standing or acute conditions, nutritional deficiencies are common, and prevent a return to health. Customizing your diet with specific nutrients in a concentrated form help to re-establish the balance in the body, and re-trains the body to function optimally. Our food no longer contains the same levels of nutrients as in the past due to agricultural practices and depleted soils, so these added nutrients to a healthy diet can give your body the boost it needs in the right direction of health.
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Naturopathic doctors understand the importance of each nutrient and the role individual nutrients play in disease states. Based on a nutritional assessment I will create an individualized treatment plan, teach you how to eat for your best health, and work with you to achieve and maintain your health goals.
Botanical Medicine
“The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” ~Plato
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Botanical medicine uses the medicinal properties of plants to bring about health and balance in the body. Pharmaceutical drugs have commonly been based on the active components in these plants. However, using the whole plant allows all components of the plant to work in synergy, which lessens side effects, and allows for healing on a deeper level. Treat the whole person with the whole plant. Used commonly in dried herb capsules, teas, or tinctures (liquid extracts), these medicines complement other natural therapies. Based on your specific condition, I will recommend specific herbal treatments topically or internally to help you achieve a deeper level of healing.
Lifestyle Coaching
“The ‘i’ in illness is isolation, and the crucial letters in wellness are ‘we’ ~ Author Unknown
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Three of the key principles of naturopathic medicine are ‘doctor as teacher’; ‘prevention’; and ‘treat the whole person’.
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Through lifestyle analysis, we will work together to identify those areas in your life that may be impeding your health. With our highly stressful lives, learning strategies to cope with and manage stress are important. Being active and finding activities you enjoy can make a significant positive impact in your life. Assessing all your current habits, positive and negative, I will help you to create the most beneficial environment for yourself.
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Research now shows community plays an essential role in health, wellness and longevity. This includes your health community, I will work with your other health care providers as needed to ensure we are working together for your best health.
Traditional Asian Medicine
Traditional Asian medicine has been used for thousands of years to treat patients with acute and chronic conditions. Using the concept of yin and yang to bring balance to the body this medicine has been used to diagnose treat and prevent disease. Acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and nutrition according to TAM principles are the main methods of treatment that help to improve Qi (life energy) flow through the acupuncture meridians in the body bringing about healing and balance.
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Using tongue and pulse diagnosis as well as your symptom picture I will put together an acupuncture treatment protocol and include herbs and nutrition recommendations as necessary.
Homeopathy
“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” - Hippocrates
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Homeopathy is the practice of using minute quantities of a substance (plant, mineral, animal) to stimulate the body’s innate healing ability (vital force). It works on the mental, emotional, and physical levels to resolve any imbalances at the respective level.
What to expect at your initial visit?
“Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.” - Hippocrates
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During your initial consultation, I explore what your health journey has been to date, what conditions you have suffered from in the past and currently, which medications, supplements, and all lines of treatments you have had, so I can begin to piece together the puzzle of your health story. By understanding the full scope of your health status I will be able to identify the root cause of your concerns and treat you at that level so as to bring about the deepest level of healing for you.
At the end of this appointment, you will be given initial naturopathic recommendations that will involve nutrition and lifestyle recommendations, supplements or botanical herbs, potential lab tests, or request for medical records so I have the full scope of your health status.