All About Naturopathic Medicine

It’s important to understand the basics of naturopathic medicine in order to determine if it’s something you think would be beneficial for you and your health.

Today, I’m going to dive into all of your frequently asked questions about naturopathic medicine, such as: what even is naturopathy, and what should I expect from my naturopathic doctor?

Check out the video below on everything to do with naturopathy, and keep reading to learn more about this particular field of medicine.

What Is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic medicine, like conventional medicine, is based in science.

The main difference lies in the treatment: naturopathic medicine treats ailments naturally, instead of through the use of pharmaceutical drugs.

Typically, the goal of naturopathy is to engage in patient-centred treatment and help you live as healthy as possible.

Some kinds of natural treatment often used in naturopathic medicine include various vitamins and minerals, acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs, and amino acids.

Diet and lifestyle are also very important factors, and something you’ll be sure to discuss with your naturopathic doctor.

Who Can Practice Naturopathic Medicine?

Similar to medical doctors, only those who are truly dedicated to their field of medicine go through the training and tests necessary to legally practice.

Every naturopathic doctor must be licensed, and licenses are issued by each province or state respectively.

Therefore, an ND may be licensed to practice in some provinces and not others — I am proudly licensed in 5 provinces and 15 states.

To get this license, you must first have a Bachelor’s degree in science.

Then, you have to go through 4 years of naturopathic college and pass the rigorous board exams, which are the same all across North America.

How Does Naturopathic Training Compare With Medical Training?

The training required to become a naturopathic doctor actually holds takes around the same amount of time to complete as medical training.

The hours spent in school, in training, and doing clinical time is comparable.

One difference between naturopathic training and medical training is the former’s exams are actually quite a bit longer, lasting around a week.

The board exams required to obtain your naturopathic medicine license are extremely rigorous and time-intensive.

Another difference is medical doctors have to complete two years of residency in a hospital, which is not the case for naturopathic doctors — because there are no naturopathic hospitals!

Why Would Somebody See A Naturopathic Doctor?

There are numerous reasons why you should consider visiting a naturopathic doctor — let’s go through a few common reasons I encounter with my patients.

Often, patients visit a naturopathic doctor because they just aren’t finding solutions or answers from traditional medicine.

is all about working outside the conventional box to investigate health issues.

Some of the symptoms and conditions often brought to NDs include fatigue, hormonal complaints (PMS, hot flashes), fertility, digestive problems, and allergies.

It can be difficult to figure out the root cause of such problems, and your naturopathic doctor can help you get to the bottom of it, as well as investigate anything that may be exacerbating your symptoms.

What Are The Strengths Of Naturopathic Doctors Vs. Medical Doctors?

I really believe in avoiding fundamentalism on both sides, meaning I think it’s wrong to disavow all of natural medicine, or all of traditional medicine.

Often, the best thing for your health and your body is to use both naturopathic and traditional medicine in conjunction with each other, when necessary.

Typically, conventional medicine is most effective for acute conditions.

If you have an infection or a broken bone, you may need antibiotics or pharmaceuticals or some other form of treatment from a medical doctor.

However, if for example you’re taking antibiotics, you should then use probiotics to replenish your gut flora and support your digestive and immune systems.

Naturopathic medicine can often help you treat chronic issues that leave medical doctors stumped, but that doesn’t mean conventional medicine doesn’t have an important purpose in your life.

It’s a great idea to have a team of professionals supporting your health, including a medical doctor and a naturopathic doctor, because the two can and should coexist.

What Should You Expect During Your First Appointment?

The first appointment with your naturopathic doctor will most likely be the longest, typically ranging from an hour to an hour and a half.

This is due to the background info we have to cover, including family history, medical history, risk factors (smoking, exercise, sleep), and previous surgeries.

The goal of your initial appointment is to build a foundation of knowledge to work from, and to look for patterns in your history.

Often, your ND will send you off with some treatment options or lifestyle changes.

This may include acupuncture, diet changes, or supplements.

Then, we’ll look to scheduling a follow-up appointment to check in on how you’re feeling, and work from there.

What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathy is under the umbrella of naturopathic medicine and is included under the ND license, but it’s separate from naturopathy.

The philosophy behind homeopathy is “like cures like” — for example, if you’re suffering from a cold, your treatment may involve taking a supplement that mirrors your symptoms.

Clinically, homeopathy doesn’t really make sense, but the number of people who have found relief from homeopathic treatments is staggering.

Considering the sheer amount of people who credit their successful health stories to homeopathy, it should not be discounted as a viable treatment option.

What Are The Most Common Conditions People Come To A Naturopathic Doctor For?

The most common conditions I see every day are usually more general symptoms that can be difficult for medical doctors to diagnose, due to how often they show up as a result of other larger conditions.

These include fatigue and issues related to digestion, energy levels, hormones, and overall musculoskeletal pain.

Patients also inquire about natural anti-aging treatment options.

How Often Should You See A Naturopathic Doctor?

Your first visit to the naturopathic doctor is usually the longest, and you leave with the beginnings of a treatment plan.

Then, depending on results, follow-up appointments are usually scheduled every 3-6 months, but sometimes as infrequently as once a year.

It all depends on your reason for visiting, and if your treatment is doing its job.

For example, if you’re visiting to treat an acute problem such as headaches, your appointment frequency may vary versus someone who is visiting to treat a long-term chronic issue, such as a family history of heart disease.

The appointments will be scheduled and tailored to each patient’s individual needs (and wants!).

How Much Does It Cost To See A Naturopathic Doctor?

The cost all depends on the length of the appointment.

The initial visit is $250 for 75 minutes, and follow-up appointments range from $70 upwards.

Thankfully, naturopathic medicine is covered by most private health plans, so check out your work insurance and see if naturopathy is included.

Questions? Ask Dr. JJ!

Naturopathic medicine can be a really beneficial addition to your medical treatment plan.

Hopefully I’ve answered some of your burning questions about how naturopathic medicine can work for you.

If you have any questions or want to book your first appointment, contact me, Dr. JJ.

I’d be happy to introduce you to the world of naturopathy and recommend a treatment plan that works for your health and lifestyle.

Reach out to me, Dr. JJ, and let’s book an appointment.