Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Naturopathic Doctor?
A naturopathic doctor or ‘naturopath’ is a regulated health care practitioner who treats health concerns using holistic therapies. Holistic therapies would include supplements, homeopathic medicine, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and diet or lifestyle counselling to name a few. Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario are regulated by the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (CONO for short).
How can naturopathic medicine help me?
Naturopaths are well versed in chronic disease management and prevention. Good lifestyle habits such as getting enough sleep, reducing stress, improving your diet and regularly exercising are preventive strategies for most chronic diseases that we all now about, yet most of us don’t engage in consistently. With time, we lose resiliency and symptoms arise.
Here is a common concern naturopaths typically see - someone presents with a concern of heartburn. Conventional medicine would recommend (most likely) a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) as their first line treatment. Alternatively, naturopathic medicine may recommend a supplement to soothe stomach irritation, a list of foods to avoid, and most likely stress support.
Please let me be clear - both options are correct! It just depends on how involved in your health you would like to be.
What should I expect from my first visit?
Naturopathic visits tend to run longer than your conventional medical appointments. Your first appointment will be 90 minutes to 2 hours in length depending on the concern. During this time we will discuss what your concerns are, the history of those concerns, a focused physical exam and discuss your treatment options.
How should I prepare for my first visit?
Prior to your first appointment, an online intake form will be emailed to you. It is important that you fill this form out before your appointment. If it is not completed prior to your appointment, it will need to be fulfilled in office, leaving less time to get to the nitty-gritty of what is going on.
As well, natural remedies are just that - remedies. They can most definitely interfere with medications and other therapies. For this reason, please bring any medications or supplements (or photos of them) to your appointment.
Does your office provide direct billing?
Yes, we provide direct billing for most insurance companies including:
Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan, Cowan, Desjardins Insurance, The Great West Life Assurance Company, GroupHEALTH, GROUPSource, Industrial Alliance Financial Group, Johnson, Johnson Group, Manion, Manulife, Maximum Benefit, Standard Life, Sun Life Financial, GreenShield Canada