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What does a Naturopathic Doctor do and why should I see
one?
Naturopathic Doctors are medical professionals that specialize
in and offer guidance on all natural forms of treatment for any
kind of condition. Those forms of treatment include acupuncture
(Traditional and cosmetic),
homeopathy, herbal medicine,
Chinese medicine, clinical nutrition and hydrotherapy.
Naturopathic doctors can often help conventional
treatments to work better or solve underlying issues.
Naturopathic medicine focuses on disease prevention and
maintaining excellent health as well as treatment of
diseases.
What kind of training does a Naturopathic Doctor have?
To become a Naturopathic Doctor, we have completed at
least three years of university education including
courses in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. We have then completed
another four years of full time study at one of the accredited
universities that teach Naturopathic Medicine. After
completion of the course, graduates must then write a series of
rigorous licensing exams in order to be eligible to practice
Naturopathic Medicine in Ontario. Beware of those calling
themselves naturopaths, naturopathic practitioners, naturopathic therapists, or anything
else except Naturopathic Doctor. These people are not as
qualified as a naturopathic doctor and will not be covered by
your health insurance.
Can you
treat __________________?
The simple answer to whether we can treat any given condition is
“yes”. In fact, we don’t treat conditions at all, we treat
people. After we determine the root cause of the condition, we
combine our many healing methods to improve health and supply
the resources for the body to repair itself. The
conditions that the people we treat commonly suffer from
include allergies, asthma, skin conditions like acne,
psoriasis and eczema, women's health issues like
fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, infertility,
menopause and PMS, digestive tract issues like irritable
bowel syndrome, Crohn's and ulcerative colitis,
cardiovascular disease like high cholesterol and high
blood pressure and much more. If you are unsure,
feel free to contact us by phone or email we'll be happy
to answer any questions you may have.
What should I expect from a visit to Forces of Nature?
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An in-depth discussion of all aspects of your medical history
and current conditions. |
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Full consideration of every component of your health.
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A screening physical exam.
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A
comprehensive treatment plan tailored
specifically to get at the underlying cause of
your specific health concern.
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Above all, care and respect.
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How many visits
will I need?
That depends on the type and extent of your problem and the type
of treatment involved. The initial visit is generally an
information gathering session and preliminary treatment. A
second visit is usually scheduled for about three weeks
later at which time we'll review the initial
treatment and add, remove or change things as necessary. If one of our “hands-on” therapies
like acupuncture is appropriate, weekly visits
may be required for up to 6-8 weeks. Otherwise follow-up visits
can be anywhere from one to six months apart for check up and
preventative maintenance.
What's the difference between a Naturopathic Doctor and
a Homeopathic Doctor?
A homeopathic doctor uses one form of natural treatment for
his/her patients, homeopathy. A naturopathic doctor (ND) is
qualified in a wide range of natural therapies including
homeopathy. ND’s receive four years of full time postgraduate
training in basic medical sciences and natural treatment and are
licensed health professionals. At Forces of Nature, our
naturopathic doctors combine homeopathic treatment with
acupuncture, nutrition, herbs, supplements, hydrotherapy and Traditional Chinese medicine
for optimal results.
What does it cost to see a Naturopathic Doctor?
That depends on the naturopath and on your health insurance
coverage. At Forces of Nature, we strive to keep our costs
affordable so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of
naturopathic treatment.
First visit (90 minutes) $180 + GST
Extensive intake, medical history, physical examination,
preliminary treatment recommendations, questionnaires re: diet,
vitamin/mineral status, overall health review questionnaire.
New patients should bring a list of any medications, herbs
and/or vitamins or other supplements that they are currently
taking.
Second visit (60 minutes) $120 + GST
Evaluation of questionnaires, follow-up on current prescription,
additions or changes to treatment protocol as necessary
Subsequent visits (15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes)
$30, $60, $90 or
$120 respectively i.e. $120/hour
Follow-up on current treatment plan, update on new treatments
and research
If you have a health benefits package, all or part of these fees
may be reimbursed to you. We will issue you a receipt on
payment that you can submit to your insurance company.
Is
Naturopathic Medicine covered by OHIP?
Not yet, but with your support it may be in the near future. It
is frequently covered by private health insurance plans. If your
benefits package does not cover naturopathic doctors, you can
request that your employer expand your coverage to include these
services. If you don't have insurance coverage send a message to
the government by saving your vitamin/supplement and
naturopathic doctor receipts and submit them as medical expenses
with your income tax return. You can also contact your local MP
to express your desire to have naturopathic medicine covered
under OHIP.
What is your
success rate?
Our success depends on your commitment and motivation. Our
clients who follow our recommendations invariably see excellent
results. The more closely you adhere to your treatment plan the
better the outcome you will get.
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