Frequently Asked Questions
Naturopathic doctors are licensed primary care physicians who specialize in natural medicine. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct, comprehensive system of healthcare emphasizing the use of natural therapies to promote health and treat and prevent disease. We use clinical nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, physical medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle counseling in our treatments.
Focus on prevention of future health problems in addition to treatment of current conditions is our goal. We work with you as a team to create a treatment plan that is effective and easy to follow.
Education is a cornerstone of what we do. We take the time to sit with you and explain a disease process or educate about self-care in relation to your overall health.
ND’s consult a comprehensive health history as well as gather information on a patient’s current health condition. Physical exam and lab testing as well as an in-depth patient profile including details on sleep, lifestyle, stress and exercise are used to develop a diagnosis and a naturopathic protocol.
No. Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the law of similars, or the principal that “like cures like.” Homeopathic remedies are made from plants, minerals and other substances which are given in extremely dilute form. Naturopathic medicine is an eclectic blend of all types of natural medicine, including homeopathy, acupuncture, botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, psychology, physical medicine, etc. Naturopathic doctors practice homeopathy, but not all homeopaths are naturopathic doctors.
Any acute or chronic condition will benefit. Medical emergencies will be referred to the local hospital.
Yes, naturopathic doctors have been licensed since 1921. After acquiring the diploma ‘Doctor
of Naturopathic Medicine’, naturopathic physicians must pass international and provincial
level board examinations in order to become licensed to practice naturopathic medicine by
the College of Naturopathic Physicians of BC.
The cost of your treatment depends on two factors. The first factor is the nature and
severity of your health challenges, which we identify during your health assessment.
For example, if you have a severe chronic disease, your treatment will take longer and cost more than if you have a simple infection.
The second factor is your level of commitment to removing the causes of your health problems. If you've had a chronic problem for twenty years, it's probably not going to disappear in a matter of weeks. Conceivably, it could take months or years to fully recover from a chronic disease. Full recovery requires that the causes of the condition are corrected or removed. Removing the cause takes longer and is more work than just suppressing your symptoms.
Regaining full function and health will likely be more expensive than trying for a "quick fix". Of course, the choice is yours. We will tell you what it will take for you to reach your personal health goals, and approximately how much it may cost.
If you have financial concerns, you have the option of recovering your health in phases. In consultation with you, we will develop a treatment program that is within your budget but still moves you in the direction of your health goals.
Your office visits and some of your laboratory testing may be covered by your insurance. Most vitamins, herbs and ancillary products are not covered.
Please call your extended health provider to determine coverage.
At present there is no MSP coverage unless you are on premium assistance.
Naturopathic medical schools are four-year postgraduate schools with admission requirements comparable to those of conventional medical schools. The diploma, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, requires four years of graduate level study in the medical sciences. These include anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, physical and clinical diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis, radiology, gynecology, dermatology, minor surgery, pediatrics and other clinical sciences.
We also receive intensive training in naturopathic therapeutics, which include therapeutic nutrition, acupuncture and Chinese medicine, botanical medicine, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, naturopathic manipulative therapy and lifestyle counseling. The training also includes over 1200 hours of clinical training in outpatient clinics.
While there are many similarities in how NDs and MDs are trained and practice, there are also important differences. Both NDs and MDs attend four-year graduate level accredited medical schools, with similar training in the basic sciences such as anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pathology. Most MDs go on to residencies and internships. MD student may spend time observing cardiac patients or internal medicine cases with emphasis on treating specific conditions. ND students are trained in community clinic settings and preceptorships with NDs in private practice, which lend to more general approaches to primary care. NDs, like MDs, must pass international and provincial board exams to practice in licensed provinces.
MDs are taught to focus on obtaining a scientifically-based diagnosis that then guides the therapy offered. Often these therapies are aimed at blocking or suppressing a symptom, such as using pain killers and anti-inflammatory medicines for arthritis or using an antibiotic to treat an infection. This approach is very effective especially for treating emergencies and life-threatening health problems, but it often does not work to correct the causes of health problems and has a poor track record in the treatment of chronic diseases which are difficult to diagnose, such as chronic fatigue. MDs tend to take a reductionist approach to health care; that is they focus on treating the disease not the patient.
ND’s also use scientific methods and arrive at many of the same diagnoses as MDs, but naturopathic doctors take a more holistic approach and try to understand causes behind a patient’s diagnosis so these can be effectively managed. So, for example, an ND may use herbal or nutritional substances to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in a patient with arthritis, while at the same time use therapies to support healthy joint function and restore damaged tissues. Using a more holistic model, the ND may also look into the role that food intolerances or gastrointestinal health may play in the patient with arthritis. Uncovering these clues can be important in helping patients understand the causes of their conditions and empower them to take a more active role in improving their general health while managing their current “diagnosis.”
