FAQs
We have prepared a list of frequently asked questions below to help answer the most common questions that new patients to Naturopathic medicine may have. If your question is not answered below, please don’t hesitate to contact us with it.
- What is Naturopathic medicine?
- What is the difference between Naturopathic medicine and homeopathy?
- What kind of education and training do Naturopathic doctors have?
- Is Naturopathic medicine backed by research?
- How is naturopathic medicine regulated?
- What kinds of conditions can be treated with naturopathic medicine?
- Do I need to leave my family doctor if I want to become a patient with Pure Med?
- What if I am taking prescription medicines – can I still receive naturopathic treatment?
- Will my visit to a naturopathic doctor be covered by OHIP?
- What can I expect from my first visit with a Naturopathic doctor at Pure Med?
- What hours are available for appointments at Pure Med, and how far in advance do I need to book?
- Where can I learn more about naturopathic medicine?
1. What is Naturopathic medicine?
Naturopathic medicine is a distinct primary health care system that blends modern scientific knowledge with traditional natural forms of medicine. Naturopathic medicine is the art and science of disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention using natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture and lifestyle counseling. The primary goal in Naturopathic medicine is to discover and treat the root causes of disease, rather than just simply treat the symptoms. A Naturopathic doctor views all aspects of an individual including physical, mental, emotional, environmental, genetic and lifestyle factors on the affects of health. Naturopathic doctors complement and enhance health care services provided by other health care professionals and refer patients to other practioners when appropriate.
2. What is the difference between Naturopathic medicine and homeopathy?
Naturopathic doctors are general practioners of natural medicine. They are trained to diagnose, treat and prevent disease using a variety of natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, acupuncture, lifestyle counseling and homeopathy. A Naturopathic doctor may use homeopathy as one of their approaches to treatment, a homeopath would only use a homeopathic therapy. Naturopathic doctors have eight years of postgraduate training that includes four years of university as well as four years of full time study at an accredited Naturopathic medical college. In contrast, most homeopathic programs are only two to three years in length. In addition, Naturopathic medicine is regulated and licensed in Ontario, in contrast to homeopathy which is neither a regulated nor licensed profession.
3. What kind of education and training do Naturopathic doctors have?
Naturopathic doctors have eight years of post graduate training at an accredited Naturopathic college. To enter the college you must have a university degree that includes two years of pre-medical studies. The naturopathic program is a full-time, four-year program. In the first two years, we study advanced medical and clinical sciences similar to those studied by medical doctors. In the final two years, we study advanced medical diagnostics; naturopathic medical therapeutics; and receive extensive clinical experience. Naturopathic doctors are the only health care professionals that have extensive training in natural medicine as well as the ability diagnose disease using conventional methods.
4. Is Naturopathic medicine backed by research?
Naturopathic medical therapies have a long history of safe, effective use that is supported by strong evidence based research. For example, nutritional medicine is well supported by carefully designed scientific clinical trials. Many herbal medicines also have an extensive history of traditional use that is validated by current medical research. Furthermore, the direct link between diet, stress and many health conditions is well documented in scientific journals. The evidence base supporting the safety and effectiveness of naturopathic medicine continues to grow daily as new scientific findings are included.
5. How is naturopathic medicine regulated?
Naturopathic doctors are the only regulated health professionals in Ontario that have extensive training in natural medicine as well as the ability to diagnose disease using conventional methods. Naturopathic doctors are regulated in Ontario under the Drugless Therapy Act and are regulated by the Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy (BDDT-N). The BDDT-N functions to ensure that naturopathic doctors are properly qualified to practice naturopathic medicine and that they follow the appropriate standards of practice. Within the next few years, the profession of Naturopathic medicine will be included in the Regulated Health Professionals Act (RHPA). The RHPA regulates most other health care professionals in Ontario. Naturopathic medicine is not regulated in certain provinces like Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Alberta.
6. What kinds of conditions can be treated with naturopathic medicine?
Naturopathic doctors (ND) are primary health care practioners, which means that they can treat the same conditions as a family doctor. They are trained to treat health concerns from acute to chronic, pediatric to geriatric and physical and psychological. In the event that an ND is unable to treat your condition, they will refer appropriately.
7. Do I need to leave my family doctor if I want to become a patient with Pure Med?
Naturopathic doctors complement and enhance health care services provided by other health care professionals including your family doctor. They cooperate and refer to other branches of medical science for diagnosis or treatment when appropriate. Naturopathic doctors provide patients with a truly integrative form of health care.
8. What if I am taking prescription medicines – can I still receive naturopathic treatment?
Naturopathic doctors are trained to understand the effects of prescription medications in the body and the interactions between prescription medications and natural therapies. With this knowledge, a Naturopathic doctor can safely prescribe natural treatments that will work to enhance the effectiveness, reduce the side effects and rebalance any deficiency from your prescription medications. A Naturopathic doctor will never recommend that you stop taking any prescription medications unless they have a written consent from your medical doctor.
9. Will my visit to a naturopathic doctor be covered by OHIP?
Visits to a Naturopathic doctor are currently NOT covered by OHIP. Most extended health care plans do cover the cost of seeing a Naturopathic doctor. It is important to check with your extended health care provider to determine the amount of your naturopathic coverage.
10. What can I expect from my first visit with a Naturopathic doctor at Pure Med?
The initial naturopathic medical visit for new patients requires a thorough health history, a complete physical exam and lab tests to make an assessment and diagnosis that includes the root cause of disease. Typically, two visits are needed to conduct patient initiation and provide recommendations for your health (a 60-minute first visit and a 30-minute second visit). The physical, mental, emotional, environmental and spiritual aspects of your health are included to create a personalized treatment plan. Subsequent appointments are about 30 minutes in length.
11. What hours are available for appointments at Pure Med, and how far in advance do I need to book?
Monday – Friday: 9 am – 5 pm,
Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Some evening appointments are available
In most cases, appointments will be scheduled within one to two weeks of requesting an appointment.
Contact InformationPure Med Naturopathic Centre Inc. |
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Phone: 613.216.4661 Fax: 613.216.4663 |
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info@puremednaturopathic.com | |||||
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