What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathic medicine is formed on the basic belief that the body is intelligent and if given the right environment and nutrients, it will sustain good health. The focus is on treating the person, not the condition or disease. We believe that symptoms & disease come from an imbalance of spirit, mind & body.
Therefore, the focus of your treatment plan is to assess and balance these three factors:
- Your spirit- your life goals, dreams & fulfillment in life.
- Your mind- your mental and emotional state, if you are affected by stress, depression or anxiety.
- Your body-
- Your level of oxidation (free radical damage) which can lead to degenerative diseases and a much quicker aging process.
- Your level of inflammation, which can lead to chronic disease & pain.
- Whether or not you are a healthy weight, obesity can lead to metabolic syndromes & diabetes.
- Your pH balance, most degenerative diseases thrive in an acidic state, which can be directly linked to our diet.
- Your organ & metabolic function such as your immune integrity, gastrointestinal functions & hormone balance.
It is believed that when your mind, body & spirit are in balance it makes your body a place where disease cannot live. This is when vitality, strength and longevity are all in abundance. Easy step-by-step treatment plans are compiled to get you to your ultimate health.
What is clinical Naturopathy?
Natural practitioners have always used empirical knowledge, knowledge passed down from the ages. They use treatments that have worked for centuries, based on documentation and experience.
With more ongoing research available about the way herbs and nutrients work in the human body, scientifically-based treatment plans have become possible. This is where the practitioner bases treatments around the science of the human body, medical diagnostics and, where possible, evidence based medicine.
Clinical Naturopathy is the use of empirical knowledge backed up by evidence based medicine, research, and medical tests to assess illness and an appropriate treatment plan.
What is integrated medicine?
“Integrative therapy/medicine” is when natural therapies and conventional therapies are used together. Usually these treatment plans are scientifically based, individualized protocols developed by natural practitioners and medical practitioners working together (a “protocol” refers to a program of therapies, dietary recommendations and activities that practitioners develop with their patients).
How can clinical Naturopathy & integrated medicine help me?
Naturopathic medicine is formed on the basic belief that the body is intelligent and if given the right environment and nutrients, it will sustain good health. Conventional Medicine is skilled in diagnosing conditions, reducing harmful side-effects (ie. high blood pressure) and/or repairing/removing damage (ie. surgery).
Signs and symptoms are a way of telling you that "something is not right" or your body is out of balance. These signs and symptoms are the result of the body struggling to balance itself. If left for too long this struggle for balance can become damaging and cause a disease progression. The deciding factor on which naturopathic and conventional treatments you use, depends on the advancement of your disease or illness.
It is very important that a proper diagnosis is made before any treatment has started, so that the seriousness of your condition is assessed. Many screening tools are used by your clinical naturopath to assess your health status and the effectiveness of your treatment protocol, but your diagnosis should come from your medical doctor.
The beauty of this relationship, is that your Medical doctor can diagnose your condition, assess the seriousness and disease progression, and give you medication (if necessary) to prevent further progression or damage...
Meanwhile your Naturopathic practitioner can aid you in modifying your diet and/or lifestyle and give you the nutrients your body needs to support the healing process. As well, some natural medicines can also aid in reducing or removing signs & symptoms while your healing. Using an integrated approach will make sure you get the best possible care, aid you back to full health and a better quality of life!