Naturopathic doctors have many “tools” in their “toolbox” so to speak.
This range of natural therapies allows them to address health concerns
in a holistic manner, supporting the body’s self-healing process.
They rely on six primary treatment modalities including clinical nutrition,
lifestyle counselling, Asian, botanical, homeopathic, and physical medicine.
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Asian Medicine (Traditional Chinese Medicine) |
Asian medicine is a complete medical system that has diagnosed,
treated, and prevented illness for thousands of years in the East.
It incorporates acupuncture, acupressure, diet, massage,
Asian herbs, and foods into its treatment protocols in order to
bring the body back into balance. According to Asian medicine,
when your energy flow or qi (pronounced “chi”) is out of balance,
your body cannot adapt to stress, making you more likely to
develop chronic illness and pain. It seeks to re-balance your
energy flow by adjusting the circulation of qi in the meridians or
channels running just under the skin and balances the body’s yin
and yang energy. The harmonious flow of qi and the balance of yin
and yang in the body allow the sustenance of long-term physical,
mental, and emotional health. |
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Botanical medicine is the therapeutic use of diverse plant substances
from around the world for their powerful healing and nutritive value.
Harnessing the healing properties of plants is an ancient practice,
performed by indigenous peoples from the beginning of civilization.
Naturopathic doctors commonly use herbs from Europe, North & South
America, China and India to prevent and alleviate illness and disease.
Flowers, roots, leaves, or oils may be used depending on the desired
effect. Therapies can take many forms including teas, tinctures,
decoctions, ointments, essential oils, and capsules.
Because some herbal medicines have the potential to cause adverse
drug interactions when used in combination with prescription and
over-the-counter pharmaceuticals as well as with other herbal
medicines, it is recommended that you consult a naturopathic doctor
or qualified herbalist in your use of botanical medicines.
Naturopathic doctors are extensively trained in recognizing and
understanding drug-drug, herb-drug, and herb-herb interactions
and contraindications and are therefore in a prime position to not
only choose the optimal herbs for you but also avoid any interactions
that may potentially occur. Currently, naturopathic doctors are the
only health care providers in Canada licensed in the use of
botanical medicine. |
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Nutrition is the cornerstone to good health. Like medicines and drugs,
food affects the way your body functions. Some foods help you heal
while others damage your body and contribute to chronic illness.
Food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies, dietary imbalances, and
nutritional excesses all contribute to ill health. Likewise, a healthy
diet consisting of the right balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins,
vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and anti-oxidants is the most important
tool for your body to manage stress and prevent and recover from
illness. The field of clinical nutrition uses dietary changes,
nutrient-rich foods, nutritional supplements, and IV therapy to
address deficiencies, treat disease, and optimize health. |
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Homeopathic medicine is a natural, non-toxic therapeutic system of
healing that assists in the inherent ability of the body to heal itself.
It is over 200 years old. Homeopathic remedies use a minute
amount of plant, mineral, or animal substance to stimulate a
person’s innate healing ability and to strengthen the entire system.
In homeopathic medicine, the symptoms of disease are regarded as
the body’s own defensive attempt to correct its imbalance. They are
not regarded as enemies to be defeated, but rather signals, indicating
that something is out of balance, which can guide in the correct
choice of the exact remedy needed. Remedies are designed to
stimulate the internal curative process rather than suppress
symptoms. It is widely used throughout the world, especially popular
in Europe, Great Britain, and India. |
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Physical medicine includes many hands-on techniques such as
therapeutic massage, hydrotherapy, peat therapy, therapeutic
ultrasound, infrared therapy, diathermy, muscle stretching and
strengthening, as well as chiropractic manipulation. These
therapeutic techniques restore structural soundness to the skeletal
system, joints, and soft tissue and build immunity to support healing
and detoxification. Depending on your unique needs, different
physical medicines can be combined to achieve maximal treatment
results. The clinic has an infrared sauna which has many uses, including
pain relief, detoxification, and infection-fighting. Hydrotherapy is also
commonly used, as it involves the use of water to stimulate the body’s
vital force in order to soothe pain and treat disease. Treatments
involve the alternate application of hot and cold in order to stimulate
circulation, lymphatic flow, and the body’s core energy which facilitates
the delivery of nutrients and immune cells and the removal of
toxins and wastes. |
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To achieve the best results from your naturopathic treatment, you
need to understand and practice the principles of healthy living.
By identifying and adjusting the habits that contribute to your ill health,
you will be able to maintain your wellness long-term.
Also, mental attitudes and emotions are key features in overall health
and should always be addressed in treating illness and disease.
Naturopathic doctors are trained in various counselling techniques and
are equipped to support those dealing with depression, fatigue, seasonal
affective disorder, work-related stress, relationship issues, life transitions,
and health problems. The mind cannot be separated from the body, and
everything that the mind thinks has an effect on the body, as well as
vice versa. It is foolish to think of these two as separate entities, and
thus both the mind and body should be treated in all disease in order to
truly heal all aspects of a person’s life. |
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