What is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic medicine looks at the root cause of illness rather than just the symptoms, promoting health and healing through natural effective therapies. This is a successful non-invasive way to prevent acute and chronic illness as well as reduce reliance upon prescription medications and all of their side effects.
Think of it as your gateway to optimal health. From diet and exercise, to understanding your body's unique chemistry, naturopathic medicine allows you to boost your immune system, prevent and treat both acute and chronic diseases and increase your energy level.
Think of it as your gateway to optimal health. From diet and exercise, to understanding your body's unique chemistry, naturopathic medicine allows you to boost your immune system, prevent and treat both acute and chronic diseases and increase your energy level.
What conditions do Naturopathic Doctors treat?
Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) are primary healthcare practitioners and can treat similar conditions as your family doctor including acute concerns and chronic health conditions. In the event that an ND is unable to treat your condition, he or she will consult or refer appropriately.
How do Naturopathic Doctors treat?
Naturopathic doctors use a comprehensive approach to assist patients in disease prevention and improving overall health. Naturopathic treatment draws from a number of modalities and is tailored to each individual.
Depending on your needs, treatments may include any one of the following approaches: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, physical treatments, acupuncture, Eastern medicine and lifestyle counselling.
Depending on your needs, treatments may include any one of the following approaches: clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, physical treatments, acupuncture, Eastern medicine and lifestyle counselling.
How are Naturopathic Doctors educated in Canada?
The educational training to become a Naturopathic Doctor is a post-university professional program requiring a Bachelor's degree. The two colleges in Canada are the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in North York, and the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine (BINM) in New Westminster, BC. These colleges are accredited through the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medicine Colleges (AANMC).
Both colleges offer an intensive four-year program that includes more than 1,200 hours of clinical experience and involves more than 3,000 hours of classroom training. The program covers three major areas of study: biomedical sciences, clinical sciences and naturopathic therapeutics.
Both colleges offer an intensive four-year program that includes more than 1,200 hours of clinical experience and involves more than 3,000 hours of classroom training. The program covers three major areas of study: biomedical sciences, clinical sciences and naturopathic therapeutics.
How are Naturopathic Doctors regulated in Canada?
Graduates of accredited naturopathic colleges must successfully complete the Naturopathic Physician Licensing Examinations (NPLEX) and register with their provincial board. In Ontario, this is the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy - Naturopathy (BDDT-N).
Where do Naturopathic Doctors fit in with the current medical model?
Naturopathic medicine fits very well with the provincial vision for a transformed healthcare system and many NDs are community-based practitioners who have integrated into practice groups with medical doctors, acupuncturists, chiropractors and other primary healthcare providers.
Examples of the kinds of referrals NDs commonly receive from medical doctors include:
Examples of the kinds of referrals NDs commonly receive from medical doctors include:
- acupuncture to treat infertility or migraines
- nutritional therapy for high cholesterol
- irritable bowel syndrome
- herbal and lifestyle therapies for allergies and asthma
NDs also receive many referrals for patients with unresponsive chronic and complicated conditions. NDs are trained to provide collaborative care and work with referring physicians on the progress of care.
References
- Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine CCNM www.ccnm.edu
- Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine BINM www.binm.org
- Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medicine Colleges aanmc.org
- Naturopathic Licensing Examinations NPLEX www.nabne.org
- Ontario Association of Naturopathic Medicine www.oand.org
- Canadian Assocation of Naturopathic Medicine www.cand.ca
- Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy (BDDT-N) www.bddtn.on.ca
