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 Principles and Practice
Naturopathic Medicine is the art and science of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease using natural therapies which support the body's ability to heal. It
focuses on optimizing health and well-being through individualized patient care and public education.
Naturopathic doctors (ND) are primary health care practitioners who have been regulated in Ontario since the 1920's under what is called the Drugless Practitioner's Act. NDs must complete 3 years
of pre-medical university education, followed by a 4 year comprehensive program at a recognized naturopathic college. The program incorporates basic medical sciences, clinical sciences,
naturopathic therapies and 1500 hours of supervised clinical experience.
Principles of Naturopathic Medicine
- Do no harm. Effective health care using gentle, non-invasive therapies, with few side effects.
- Healing Power of Nature. Respect and promote self-healing.
- Treat the cause. Identify and remove the causes of illness, rather than suppressing symptoms.
- Doctor as teacher. Educate patients, inspire rational hope, and encourage self-responsibility.
- Treat the whole person. Naturopathic Doctors do not treat disease, they treat people. Any ailment is looked at in the context of the patient's history, environment,
mental-emotional state, and their body as an interconnected system.
- Prevention is the best medicine. Potential disease can often be averted with changes in lifestyle and diet.
Naturopathic Treatment Methods
- Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine - a combination of acupuncture using sterile needles, diet and herbal formulas to relieve pain, tonify the immune system and alleviate many symptoms.
- Botanical (Herbal) Medicine - its use dates back to ancient civilization and is the foundation of modern pharmacology. Involves the use of whole plants individually and in combinations.
- Clinical Nutrition - examines the relationship between diet and health. Diet and supplements from researched protocols may be used.
- Homeopathic Medicine - uses small doses of plant, animal and mineral substances to stimulate the body's self healing abilities.
- Physical Medicine - hands on techniques for the spine, joints and soft tissues. Includes hydrotherapy, Bowen Therapy, and relaxation massage.
- Prevention and Life Style Modification - identify risk factors and develop programs to modify behaviour and help patients make effective lifestyle choices.
Benefits
The list of conditions naturopathic doctors can treat is quite extensive. Almost all acute and chronic conditions can benefit in some way from naturopathic medicine.
Some of the more common conditions NDs treat include:
- Digestive problems (this includes Crohn's, IBS, colitis, constipation, heartburn)
- Heart problems and high blood pressure
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Skin conditions
- Infertility and impotence
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Chronic or frequent infections
- Cancer
- Fatigue
- Colds and flu
- Ear, nose, and throat infections
- PMS and menstrual disorders
- Menopausal symptoms
- Endometriosis and uterine fibroids
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Enhancing health during pregnancy
- Anxiety and depression
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes
- Weight loss
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Smoking cessation
- Prostate enlargement
References
www.oand.com
www.naturopathicassoc.ca
www.ccnm.edu
To display a list of practitioners in the Quinte Region
click on the Go To Directory button.
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