NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE                       Dr. Stacy Cootauco           Dr. Barbara Weiss  Naturopathic Doctor         Naturopathic Doctor   (Click Doctors picture for Bio and Fees)   Naturopathic Medicine Naturopathic Medicine blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural forms of medicine, in order to, diagnose, treat and prevent health conditions. The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease rather than only treating symptoms. To treat both acute and chronic conditions, naturopathic treatment plans are developed based upon each individual – this involves understanding physical, psychological, social, spiritual environment and lifestyle factors.   Naturopathic doctors are licensed healthcare practitioners that can work in conjunction with MDs to treat more complex conditions. They are trained to use a range of treatment modalities, including nutrition, lifestyle counseling, herbal medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy and physical medicine. Some naturopathic doctors are also trained in intravenous therapy.   NATURAL THERAPIES   Clinical Nutrition Nutrition and the therapeutic use of foods is a cornerstone of naturopathic medicine. Some foods help you heal, while others damage your body. Food intolerances, deficiencies, dietary imbalances or nutritional excesses have been associated with many medical conditions. An individual assessment of your current nutritional habits is taken and recommendations are tailored to meet specific health goals. With appropriate dietary modification and nutritional supplements, health concerns can be treated with fewer complications and side effects.   Lifestyle Counseling To achieve the best results from your naturopathic treatment, it is essential to understand and practice the principles of healthy living. By helping you identify and adjust the habits that contribute to ill health, your ND will help you maintain wellness over the long term.   Mental attitudes, patterns, and emotions are also important elements in overall health and should be considered when treating illness and disease.   Herbal Medicine Herbal medicine involves the use of any or all of the different parts of plants (roots, leaves, stems, and seeds) to treat illness and maintain health. Herbal medicines can be given in many forms, such as liquids, tablets, creams, and ointments.   It is important to note that some herbal remedies have the potential to cause adverse drug interactions when used in combination with various prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. At ALLONE, your naturopathic doctor will carefully review your current health situation before recommending a specific botanical remedy or combination.   Traditional Chinese Medicine Traditional Chinese Medicine includes acupuncture, as well as the use of botanical formulas and dietary changes to balance body functions. Acupuncture refers to the insertion of sterilized needles at specific points to help move the body’s energy flow into healthier patterns.  Botanical formulas may be given in the form of pills, tinctures, extracts or decoctions (strong teas) to be taken internally or used externally as a wash.   Homeopathy Homeopathy is a 200-year old system of medicine that uses various plants, minerals or animal products in very minute, nontoxic doses. The symptoms of a disease are regarded as the body's own defensive attempt to correct its imbalance, rather than as an enemy to be defeated. Homeopathic remedies are designed to stimulate this internal curative process rather than suppress the symptoms.     Intravenous Therapy Intravenous therapy is the injection of solutions containing combinations of various vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other natural substances. It is a safe and effective way of enhancing the clinical effectiveness of naturopathic therapies. The route of administration promotes a rapid and effective response, including immediate changes in metabolic processes. By injection of these core nutrients directly into your bloodstream, you obtain 100% absorption into tissues and organs. This is particularly important for patients who have limited or impaired absorptive ability through the intestinal tract.   Intravenous therapy can address a number of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic fatigue, heavy metal detoxification, Parkinson’s, and diabetes.   What You Need To Know Naturopathic training closely parallels medical training, including at least three years of undergraduate pre-medical sciences, and a four-year full-time program focused on preparing clinicians for the challenges of primary care practice. Before graduation, naturopathic interns have over 1500 hours of clinical training. To practice in Ontario, naturopathic doctors must successfully complete licensing exams and maintain continuing education.   The first visit to a naturopath involves an in-depth interview covering many aspects your life. As well, a physical examination takes place. The first visit lasts 1.5 hours. After the first visit, our naturopath develops a comprehensive treatment plan based upon the thorough intake. Follow-up visits last 30 to 60 minutes. Depending on the nature of your health concerns and the type of treatment, you can expect to visit the naturopath on a weekly to monthly basis. The goal of naturopathic treatment is to teach you healthy living skills so that eventually you visit only on an as-needed basis.   Currently, naturopathic medicine is not covered by OHIP. Many employment and school benefit plans, though, do provide coverage. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     Back To Main Page