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Naturopathic Medicine

Naturopathic Medicine Services

Naturopathic medicine is a system of healing that focuses on supporting and stimulating the body’s ability to heal itself. Naturopathic medicine takes a holistic approach, which means that it focuses on the whole person rather than on a person’s illness. Here at Tri City Physiotherapy we want to treat the “whole you.”

Our Naturopathic doctor (ND) works with our whole team combining modern scientific knowledge with traditional and natural therapies to compliment.  In addition to diet and lifestyle changes, natural therapies including botanical medicine, clinical nutrition, hydrotherapy, homeopathy, naturopathic manipulation and traditional Chinese medicine/acupuncture, may also be used during treatments.

The naturopathic philosophy is to stimulate the healing power of the body and treat the underlying cause of disease. Symptoms of disease are seen as warning signals of improper functioning of the body, and unfavourable lifestyle habits. Naturopathic Medicine emphasizes disease as a process rather than as an entity.

What is Naturopathic Medicine?

NM can be understood as primary health care system and practice that use traditional and scientific knowledge, to address in a wholistic way patients concerns, and support them in the process of healing from diseases process. In addition, as primary health care provider the Naturopathic Doctors (ND) have a relevant role in the promotion of health and prevention of the diseases. The activities of NDs are guided for the NM principles.

The 6 Principles of Naturopathic Medicine are:

  • Do not harm.
  • Restore and support the healing power of nature.
  • Identify and treat the cause of disease.
  • Treat the whole person not just the disease.
  • The Doctors have a role as teacher.

History of Naturopathic Medicine

The origin of naturopathic medicine as an organized profession in North America dates to European doctors in the 1600s and 1700s who incorporated herbal medicine and traditional therapies and ultimately their legacy made its way here. Modern-day naturopathic medicine also emphatically embraces multicultural holistic practices that are integral to so many countries and cultures across the globe. Additionally, ND programs work hand-in-hand with leading research institutions to grow the body of evidence supporting natural therapies.

The term ‘naturopathy’ was formally codified in North America and attributed to Dr. Benedict Lust. Dr. Lust founded the American School of Naturopathy in New York in 1902. By the 1920s naturopathic practice acts were increasing across North America. However after WWII, demand for naturopathic education was on the decline as surgical and pharmaceutical therapies grew in stature and demand.

In the 1970s, a resurgence in naturopathic healing resulted in rapid growth and maturation of the naturopathic profession to where it is today. Public demand has continued to grow for the many natural therapies and root cause-based approaches core to naturopathic practice. Access to naturopathic doctors has been expanded through increased insurance coverage and legislative recognition. The profession is poised to continue to grow and provide evidence-informed natural therapies to the masses.

Common Naturopathic Medicine Questions:

Much like family doctors, naturopathic doctors act as general practitioners to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions in patients of all ages.

While medical doctors employ pharmaceutical and surgical interventions to treat physical symptoms and health conditions, naturopathic doctors focus on the specific needs of the individual, addressing the cause of illness through selecting highly effective natural treatments with the least risk of side-effects.

Naturopathic therapies can often be used effectively on their own, but may also be used to enhance the effects of conventional medical treatments, or to help manage the side-effects of conventional treatments.

Coverage Options:

Tri City Physiotherapy services are covered by most extended health insurance companies and in some cases Veterans Affairs and Medicare – such as OHIP. Not sure if you’re covered? No problem. We can help you find out (and usually within the hour). Just call us at 1 (519)-620-2229.

At Tri City Physiotherapy we believe your health should come first. We take care of the paperwork so you can focus on getting better, plus we offer direct insurance billing, saving you time and up front costs.

Learn more about coverage options available at Tri City Physiotherapy.

Schedule an appointment today to get the treatment you need, and the care you deserve.

Naturopathic medicine
coming soon to
Tri City Physiotherapy

Learn more about our new service.