Naturopathic Medicine is a primary health care system that fuses up-to-date scientific knowledge with traditional medicine.
The guiding philosophy of Naturopathic Medicine is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease (whether acute or chronic). As a powerful alternative to conventional medical treatments, Naturopathic Medicine offers a wide variety of natural and effective treatments, customized to the individual’s needs.
Because of the patient-centred approach, and coupled together with effective natural treatments, more and people are discovering the benefits that Naturopathic Medicine can offer to them. This is why there is growing demand for Naturopathic Doctors in rural and urban communities.
Think of it this way, Naturopathic Medicine is here to meet you wherever you are in the health-disease spectrum, and will guide you to restore balance within you. This leads to a healthier, happier YOU!
As Naturopathic Doctors are primary health care providers, they can treat the same conditions as a conventional Family Doctor.
Some of the most common health concerns that are treated by Naturopathic Doctors are:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Migraines
- Digestive Complaints (IBS, IBD, Crohn’s disease, Food allergy and sensitivity)
- Skin conditions (acne, eczema, psoriasis)
- Hormonal balance (PCOS, menopause, hot flashes)
- Thyroid issues
- Sleep disturbances
- Mental / Emotional (depression, anxiety, ADD/ADHD)
- Pregnancy support
- Anti-Aging
- Weight Loss / Weight gain / Maintenance
What to Expect on Your First Naturopathic Visit
Clinic Intake Information
At Chiropractic Plus, we take the pain out of the initial paperwork with an easy-to-use confidential and secure touch screen monitor, where you enter information about your chief complaint (i.e. what is bothering you, where and when it started etc).
Health History
When you go in to see the Naturopathic Doctor, they will sit down with you and go over the details of your chief complaint that you entered on the touch screen monitor. The Naturopathic Doctor will also ask you other questions about your health such as past and present health conditions, family health history and lifestyle factors. The health history is very important not only for understanding the nature of your health concern, but it also helps guide the Naturopathic Doctor in conducting appropriate physical assessment, diagnosis and formulation of your treatment.
Physical Examination and Diagnosis
Next, the Naturopathic Doctor will perform a physical examination relevant to your health concern. This is very similar to the examination that your Family Doctor would perform.
The physical examination typically involves:
- Measuring your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature
- Evaluating your posture and ranges of motion in certain joints
- Listening to your lungs, heart, digestive tract using a stethoscope
- Neurological testing such as checking reflexes, basic strength tests to identify weak muscles and sensory testing to determine if there is any numbness or loss of sensation on the skin
- Various other possible tests, when indicated, such as assessment of the eyes, ears, nose, throat and cranial nerves examination.
Based on the physical examination findings together with other available test results (blood work, x-rays etc.) the Naturopathic Doctor will provide you with a diagnosis or list of possible diagnoses. In some cases the Naturopathic Doctor may refer you for further testing (blood work, x-rays, allergy testing, urine analysis, stool analysis, salivary tests).
Treatment
After reviewing all relevant information pertaining to your health, your Naturopathic Doctor will then customize a treatment plan for you. Special attention will be given to ensuring that your short-term and long-term goals will be addressed and met.
In order to make you feel better as soon as possible, a treatment may be provided for you during your first visit, upon your consent.