Naturopathic Medicine

 What is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Medicine is a distinct system of primary care that addresses the root cause of illness, treating the cause not just the symptoms. Naturopathic doctors are specially trained in disease prevention and thereby are able to educate their patients about how to achieve optimal health and wellness. Their technique is focused on treating the person not just the disease.

Naturopathic Medicine is the oldest form of effective medicine which can be dated back hundreds of years. Naturopathic Doctors (ND's) focus on correcting the physiology of the body to return the system back to its correct way of functioning. Similar to a car engine that doesn't work, instead of pulling out the wires to inactivate the flashing engine light, it is necessary to look under the hood to actually fix the problem (not just cover up the symptoms). Symptoms of an illness is a signal that there is something wrong within the body due to improper diet, nutritional deficiencies, environmental factors, toxicities, injury and stress.

Naturopathic doctors use treatments that encourage the body to heal itself while using methods and medicines that minimize the risk of harmful side effects. Every patent is different, therefore individualized treatment is necessary and takes all factors in consideration; physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors.

Naturopathic Doctors integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies.

Education

A Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine is a highly trained primary care health practitioner that has undergone training consisting of three years pre-med post secondary education as well as four years of full time study at an approved College of Naturopathic Medicine. In order to graduate, 12 months of clinical rounds must be successfully completed. Naturopathic training consists of a vigorous program very similar to that of the conventional medical education model. Naturopathic physicians are regulated in Ontario and are licensed health care practitioners who have graduated from an accredited college.

In order to become licensed, ND's are required to pass the Naturopathic Physician's Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) in order to qualify for the board exam for licensure in the province of Ontario and to become a member of the College of Naturopaths of Ontario.

ND's are required to earn current continuing education credits on an ongoing basis to maintain their registration and good standing with the college. Additional certifications are also highly regarded for further specialization.

ND’s work in partnership with other regulated health care providers (family doctors, specialists, etc.) to ensure that patient's receive the most comprehensive and effective care possible.