The goal of Naturopathic practice is to treat the underlying disorders and to restore normal body function by enhancing the body's own healing abilities. Therefore, Naturopathic Doctors focus their efforts on understanding the unique needs of each patient. As a result Naturopathic treatments are highly individualized. Patients are involved in their health program and learn to make effective, educated self-care decisions, which can prevent future health problems.

The goal of Naturopathic Medicine is to achieve health. Therefore, Naturopathic Doctors treat patients at every stage of life. Anyone can be helped with Naturopathic care. Many patients seek help with chronic conditions such as skin diseases, respiratory diseases, female disorders or gastrointestinal diseases and find much relief with Naturopathic treatment. Others present with acute illnesses, which can be quickly improved to help avoid pain, loss of sleep, loss of work, and anxiety. Still others seek education and prevention - you don’t have to be sick to feel better. A Naturopathic program is looking toward the future. You can begin to feel better now and you can reduce the likelihood of suffering and illness later in life.

Naturopathic Doctors have a minimum of three years of pre-medical studies at a university, followed by four years of study at an accredited Naturopathic Medical school. The education includes basic medical sciences including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, laboratory diagnosis, etc. and treatment modalities including acupuncture, botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy and so on. Candidates then undergo a full year of supervised clinical experience. After completion of the ND program, potential candidates must successfully pass federal board-licensing exams before being allowed to practice Naturopathic Medicine in their Province. Each province has its own governing body for regulating Naturopathic Doctors.

Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario are regulated by The Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy, under the federally regulated Drugless Practitioners Act. To see if an individual calling themselves an ND is registered, contact the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors at 1-877-628-7284 or the BDDT-N at 416-866-8383.

Naturopathic Medicine focuses on treating the whole person using individualized treatment. Each visit and treatment protocol is tailored to your specific needs. Your first visit includes an in depth assessment including a complete medical history and physical exam. Further laboratory diagnostics may be ordered depending on your presenting condition. Expect to spend about 1.5 hours at the office for your first visit. Your second visit is typically 30 to 45 minutes in length and is a time for your Naturopathic Doctor to discuss findings from your first visit and potential treatment options. Each additional visit typically lasts 30 minutes and is time to assess progression and fine tune your therapy. It is important to keep in mind that a Naturopathic Doctor can take care of many of your health care needs and you may visit them much like you would your family doctor.

No referral is necessary to make an appointment with any of our practitioners.

Yes. Medical Doctors and Naturopathic Doctors often work together to provide you with the best health care available.

Yes. Licensed Naturopathic Doctors have training in pharmacology and drug-nutrient-herb interactions. Naturopathic Doctors can also help you manage the side effects of medication.

The short answer is education and regulation. Naturopathic Doctors are the only practitioners who are licensed professionals. NDs are required to have a minimum of 3 years of pre-medical studies at university followed by four years of full time Naturopathic medical school. They are members of their provincial regulatory body and can use the designation ND. The terms herbalist, natural therapist, homeopath, doctor of natural medicine and health counselor are not protected by the law and people with different levels of training can all use these titles and are not subject to regulatory processes. When you see an ND, you are choosing quality health care.

OHIP does not cover Naturopathic Medicine. However, private insurance plans cover Naturopathic treatments. Insured patients are encouraged to contact their employer or individual insurance agents to determine if they are covered and to request that their policy be extended to include Naturopathic services if it does not already do so.

Naturopathic Doctors are guided by six principles. This set of principles, emphasized throughout a Naturopathic Doctor's training, outlines the Naturopathic approach to health and healing and forms the foundation of this distinct form of health care.

1. First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
   Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient:
   • utilize methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects;
   • avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms;
   • acknowledge and respect the individual's healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.
   Your Naturopathic Doctor chooses remedies and therapies that are safe and effective, to increase your health and decrease harmful side effects.
   
   
2. The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
   Your Naturopathic Doctor works to restore and support the powerful and inherent healing ability of your body, mind and spirit and to prevent further disease from occurring. Naturopathic Doctors identify and remove obstacles to recovery, facilitating and augmenting this ordered and intelligent healing ability.
   
   
3. Identify and Treat the Cause (Tolle Causam)
   The primary goal of your Naturopathic Doctor is to determine and treat the underlying cause rather than simply managing or suppressing the symptoms. The underlying cause may be due to diet, lifestyle habits, life events, posture or environment. Symptoms are viewed as expressions of the body's natural attempt to heal.
   
   
4. Treat the Whole Person
   Each person is unique and requires individualized care. In treating the cause of any condition your Naturopathic Doctor takes into account not only your physical symptoms, but also mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, social, spiritual and other factors. Disease affects the entire person, not just a specific organ or system. Your nutritional status, lifestyle, family history, feelings, environmental stresses, and physical health are all carefully evaluated and addressed.
   
   
5. Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
   Your Naturopathic Doctors will assist you in understanding health and illness. He/she will provide with an understanding of the factors that affect your health and help you balance and become more capable of maintaining your own health. Naturopathic Doctors also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.
   
   
6. Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
   Your Naturopathic Doctor applies all of the above principles in a proactive form of disease prevention and health promotion. Naturopathic Doctors emphasize healthy daily habits, they assess risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and make appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Health is more than just the absence of disease. Health entails daily functioning on the highest possible levels, and is obtained by proper nutrition, exercise, a balanced lifestyle, positive emotions, thoughts and actions. The capacity for optimal wellness or an improved quality of life is inherent in every body.