The range of modalities allows naturopathic doctors to develop treatment plans that address not only the physical aspect of a person, but also the mental and emotional aspects. The naturopathic therapies are all based on the same principles – they all assist the body’s healing response, and they are often more effective when combined.
Nutrition and the therapeutic use of foods is a cornerstone of Naturopathic Medicine. Food intolerances, deficiencies, dietary imbalances or nutritional excesses have been associated with many medical conditions. A Naturopathic doctor is trained to understand the impact that your diet is having on your health. With appropriate dietary modification and nutritional supplements health concerns can be treated with fewer complications and side effects.
Medicinal plants have traditionally been and will continue to be a valuable part of health care. Many of these plants and plant substances are highly effective and safe in the right dosage and when used correctly with other herbs and treatments. Herbs can be prepared in many forms – food, teas, extracts, tinctures or capsules. Naturopathic doctors are extensively trained in both the art and science of botanical medicine. Naturopathic doctors are currently the only health care providers in Canada to be licensed for the use of botanical medicine.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a complete medical system that has diagnosed, treated, and prevented illness for over a quarter of the world’s population for over two thousand years. Repeated clinical tests has proven TCM to be effective for pain relief, infertility & chronic illness.
The key principle that defines and connects all of Chinese medicine is that of Qi, or vital energy. The Qi of all organs must be in balance, neither too active nor too dormant, for a person to be healthy. A Naturopathic Doctor will use Chinese herbs and acupuncture to assist the body in regulating the Qi and achieving this balance. The qi of the body’s organs and systems are all connected in meridians or channels that lie just under the skin. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles into specific meridian points, each of which has a specific “function” by which it balances the energy of the body. Acupuncture needles used at our clinic are all sterile and disposable.
Homeopathic medicine was originally developed during the 18th century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann, and is widely used throughout the world. Based on the principle of “like cures like”, minute amounts of plant, animal or mineral substances are used to stimulate the body’s self-healing abilities. When carefully matched to the patient they are able to affect the body’s “vital force” and to stimulate the body’s innate healing forces on both the physical and emotional levels, with few side effects. Some conditions that do not respond well to conventional medicine respond effectively to homeopathy.
To obtain true optimal health, the whole person must be considered. Addressing all aspects of a person’s life, identifying and addressing the impact that stress and life events have on a patient’s health is an important aspect of naturopathic treatment. Naturopathic doctors are trained to counsel on diet, lifestyle, specific stressors, exercise and occupational or environmental factors as an integral part of the naturopathic treatment plan.
Laboratory testing services are available for those patients that either require special lab tests or prefer to have their tests done by a Naturopath. Certain tests can be done on site, such as general urinalysis for infection or testing for pregnancy. Other blood, urine, saliva or swabbed specimens can be requisitioned by your Naturopath and then analyzed at one of several laboratories we work with. Routine blood testing (such as for cholesterol, nutrients, thyroid, blood sugar, etc.) can be requisitioned for collection at a certified blood collection site and sent to the local lab for analysis. Specialized testing such as month-long saliva hormone testing, comprehensive digestive stool analysis and food sensitivity/allergy testing may require using more specialized labs and can also be ordered by your Naturopath.
Markham Village Naturopathic Clinic 8 Centre St Markham ON L3P 2N8 (905) 201-6497 info@markhamnaturopaths.ca
